Highlights of the MITI Weekly Bulletin, Vol. 110 include: Global Competitiveness Report 2010-2011 The Global Competitiveness Report (GCR) 2010-2011 by the World Economic Forum (WEF) based in Geneva, Switzerland covers 139 countries (GCR 2009-2010: 133 countries). GCR uses 30% statistical data (32 criteria) and 70% survey data (79 criteria) from its Executive Opinion Survey. Malaysia is ranked at the 26th position. Micro-Financing for SMEs Micro-finance is a proven tool for fighting poverty on a large scale. It provides small loans, also known as micro-loans, to start or expand small and self-sufficient businesses. Unlike commercial loans, no collateral is required for a micro-loan which is usually repaid within six months to a year. Micro-financing is an important mechanism for micro enterprises to achieve economic balance. The Malaysian Standard on Globally Harmonised System (GHS) for Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (MS 1804:2008) The Malaysian Standard on GHS...

Highlights of the MITI Weekly Bulletin, Vol. 111 include: APEC Accords Priority to Human Resource Development The 5th APEC Human Resource Development Ministerial Meeting in Beijing, People’s Republic of China from 16-17 September 2010, provided the opportunity for APEC economies to discuss and exchange views on issues related to HRD such as jobless growth, persistent unemployment, under-employment and informal employment. APEC minister reiterated the need to enhance … Green Growth Legislation in the Republic Of Korea The Republic of Korea (ROK) is known to be one of the best countries in promoting green industry. It has developed a new green growth legislation called the “Framework Act on Low Carbon, Green Growth” to support its National Strategy for Green Growth. ROK strategies for its low carbon green growth include … Opportunities for Construction and Construction Related Services in Syria The Syrian Government is taking steps to tackle its real estate issues...

Highlights of the MITI Weekly Bulletin, Vol. 113 include: Malaysia - Budget Allocation for 2011 The 2011 Budget, the first budget of the 10th Malaysia Plan marks the turning point in Malaysia’s transformation process towards a developed and high-income economy based on the principles of inclusiveness and sustainability as envisaged under the New Economic Model. The Budget with the theme “Transformation Towards a Developed and High-Income Nation” is guided by four strategies. Ensuring a More Secure Trading Environment The United Nations (UN) Security Council passed a resolution in 2004 which requested member countries to establish an export control system for the purpose of non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. The Malaysian government’s efforts to secure trade against terrorist infiltration culminated in the Strategic Trade Act 2010 (STA). The Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI) is the custodian of this Act. WTO Trade Policy Review of the...

Highlights of the MITI Weekly Bulletin, Vol. 114 include: Chongqing to Become a Regional Financial Centre Chongqing, the largest municipality directly under the control of the central government of the People’s Republic of China, is set to become a regional financial centre by 2015. Currently, the Chongqing Municipal Government provides favourable local and foreign tax policies for foreign investments. Shanghai Takes Lead In E-Book Development The development of the e-Book industry in China has transformed Shanghai as a base to spearhead the development of the industry, in particular the digital content sector. Malaysian manufacturers should take full advantage of the e-Reader boom in China to launch suitable products which are competitively priced, but also feature more value-added functions for the Chinese market. Anti Dumping Duties On 23 October 2005, the Government of Malaysia imposed anti-dumping duties on imports of polyethylene terepthalate originating in or...

Highlights of the MITI Weekly Bulletin, Vol. 117 include: Analysis of Malaysia’s Performance in the World Bank Doing Business Report 2011 Malaysia’s ranking in the World Bank Doing Business Report 2011 moved up two ranks to 21st position from 23rd in 2010. The number of countries covered by the survey was 183 - the same as in the 2010 report. The 2011 Report noted the initiatives that Malaysia put in place in the past year to enhance its business environment. Malaysia improved in five out of the nine indicators and maintained its rankings in four indicators. AFTA Update : Thailand’s Legal Enactment to Abolish Quota for Tea, Coffee and Milk Thailand has eliminated the Tariff Rate Quota (TRQ) on imports of tea, coffee and milk effective 16 August 2010. ASEAN Member States, including Malaysia can now export these products to Thailand without any quantitative limits and import duties. List of Authorised Food Additives in Europe - Updates on EU Directive 2008/84/EC The...

Highlights of the MITI Weekly Bulletin, Vol. 118 include: APEC Leaders See Progress in Achieving Bogor Goals Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) had undertaken an assessment on the realisation of its 2010 Bogor Goals’ target of free and open trade and investment in the Asia Pacific for specifically its industrialised member economies. Outcomes of the assessment were tabled at the APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting (AELM) in Yokohama, Japan, 13-14 November 2010. The assessment indicated that… Malaysia-Chile Free Trade Agreement The Malaysia-Chile Free Trade Agreement (MCFTA) was signed on 13 November 2010 in Yokohama, Japan. Chile will undertake full elimination of import duties for 6,900 tariff lines (90.2% of total tariff lines) from the date of entry into force of the Agreement. The Malaysian business community is encouraged to take full advantage of the opportunities offered under this FTA. The 1-Innocert Programme: 1-Innovation Certification for Enterprise...

Highlights of the MITI Weekly Bulletin, Vol. 119 include: MoU between Malaysia and the Republic of Korea on Origin Certification and Verification The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Government of Malaysia and the Republic of Korea on Governing Mutual Administrative Assistance and Cooperation in Origin Certification and Verification under the Agreement on Trade in Goods was signed on 15 November 2010. Malaysia-Korea will devise new strategies to double trade in the next few years. MIM-MPC Malaysian Management Capability Index 2010 The Malaysia Institute of Management - Malaysia Productivity Corporation (MIM-MPC) Malaysian Management Capability Index (MCI) 2010 Report was launched on 27 October 2010. The Study produced the overall index for Malaysian management capability and the index for the individual organisation’s management capability. Findings of the MCI 2010 Research Study suggest that Malaysians have fared well and are moving towards achieving...

Highlights of the MITI Weekly Bulletin, Vol. 120 include: NKEA: Electrical & Electronics Industry The electrical and electronics (E&E) industry is a key driver of Malaysia’s industrial development and contributes significantly to GDP growth, export earnings, investment and employment. However, it faces significant challenges in maintaining growth in the face of competition from regional competitors such as China, Taiwan and Singapore. Through the NKEA, Malaysia’s E&E sector will be revitalised to increase GNI to RM90 billion by 2020 and provides an additional 157,000 jobs. SME Corp. Malaysia & IBM Unveil SME Toolkit Kiosk SME Corp. Malaysia and IBM unveiled the SME Toolkit Kiosk on 16 November 2010, which aims at enhancing business capabilities of local SMEs in Malaysia. The kiosk is housed at the One Referral Centre (ORC), SME Corp. Malaysia headquarters, where local entrepreneurs and SMEs can access and benefit from the toolkit’s upgraded business management platform....

Highlights of the MITI Weekly Bulletin, Vol.122 include: Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) Agreement Enters Fourth Round Of Negotiations The Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) entered its fourth round of negotiations in Auckland, New Zealand from 5-10 December 2010. Nine countries - Australia, Brunei, Chile, Malaysia, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore, United States and Viet Nam - are in negotiations to create what could be the precursor to the Free Trade Area of the Asia-Pacific (FTAAP). TPP members agreed that the APEC Summit in November 2011 remains the target date for a substantive agreement in all areas of negotiations. Progress Made in the Third Malaysia-Turkey Free Trade Agreement (FTA) Negotiations Further progress was made in the Third Round of the Malaysia-Turkey FTA negotiations held from 30 November to 2 December 2010 in Ankara, Turkey. Negotiations on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures which set out the basic rules for food safety and animal and plant health standards were...

A plan is vital for the success of any venture - more so in the business world which presents new challenges every single day! Needless to say, productivity is important to increase your competitiveness and stay ahead of the game. Did you know about the E-Z Productivity Calculator? This tool, developed by the Malaysia Productivity Corporation (MPC), can compute Productivity and Labour Cost Competitiveness of your company and give you the Added Value automatically. Just be sure to have these documents handy before you start: financial Statement (1 year)   Balance Sheets (1 year)  Profit and Loss Statement (1 year) Total number of employees during the year - this includes paid part-time & full-time, working proprietors and unpaid family members You can watch a demo of the system first…………..   Use this online calculator to access your company’s productivity performance and let us have your feedback!