Asean countries are on track for progressive liberalisation of trade within the region, covering 128 sub-sectors via the Asean Framework Agreement on Services (AFAS).

The liberalisation will boost the services sector’s contribution to the region’s gross domestic product (GDP) from the current 40% to 50%, said International Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed.

He said AFAS will be a platform for services providers to take advantage of the market openings as well as to benefit from new ideas and processes arising out of the opening of the services sector.

Efforts has been put into concluding the AFAS 10th package by year-end to provide wider and better opportunities for members in tapping the benefits of the services sector,” he said in his opening address at the inaugural Asean Service Provider Confederation (ASPC) meeting yesterday.

His speech was read by Malaysia External Trade Development Corp (Matrade) CEO Datuk Dzulkifli Mahmud. Last year, Asean...

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 8 (Bernama) — The Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI) has teamed up with Singapore Corp Enterprise (SCE) to conduct a talent development programme for officers from MITI and its agencies.

Deputy Minister, Datuk Ahmad Maslan, said the eight-month programme, from September 2015 to April 2016, was the first of its kind for Malaysian civil service and would involve 122 officers.

“The platform, called the Economic Policy Leaders programme, would enhance the professionalism and charisma of the officers,” he said after the signing of the memorandum of understanding between MITI Deputy Secretary-General, Datuk Jayasiri Jayasena, and SCE Chief Executive Officer, Kong Wy Mun, here today.

Also present was Temasek Foundation Chief Executive Officer, Benedict Cheong.

Ahmad said the programme would be held in Malaysia and will be followed by a learning visit to Iskandar, Johor and Singapore.

The cost of approximately RM750,927 would be equally funded...

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 10 (Bernama) — Foreign Direct Investments (FDI) in Malaysia from its ASEAN peers is expected to gain momentum with the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) becoming a reality from Dec 31 this year.

Minister of International Trade and Industry (MITI) Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed said the sustained removal of barriers among the 10-member grouping, had led to an expansion in intra-ASEAN trade and investments, from US$1.22 billion in 2000 to US$24.4 billion in 2014.

“This accounts for 17.9 per cent of the total US$136.2 billion FDI inflows into the region last year,” he told reporters at the AEC Open Day here Monday.

Mustapa said similarly, intra-ASEAN trade accounted for 24 per cent of the total ASEAN trade or US$608 billion.

Meanwhile, ASEAN’s per capita income now stands at US$4,130 with intra-ASEAN trade expected to grow to 30 per cent by 2020.

He also said being the ASEAN Chairman this year, Malaysia wants to prepare local small and medium enterprises...

The much anticipated New Economic Model, to be launched at the end of the month by the Prime Minister will focus on the services sector. The plan is to increase its contribution to the GDP to 60% by 2015. How will this be done ?

The first of many steps include:

• Liberalising the services sector
• Strengthening the capacity and capability of local service providers
• Raising the skills levels of Malaysian workers
• Creating a conducive business environment for investors
• Reviewing domestic regulations that hinder investments
• Assisting export ready Malaysian companies to break into foreign markets

Ultimately, all sectors will need to work in tandem. Together, we can work towards reducing our dependence on low skilled labour and building more technology-intensive businesses that create greater value-added products.

All this will put Malaysia on course to achieving high income nation status.