MITI takes proactive action to shelter consumers and industries interests Malaysian consumers and industries can expect better quality and safety products with the implementation of mandatory standards. The implementation of mandatory standards will ensure that only products of acceptable quality are imported or produced locally. The mandatory standards will ensure that products meet safety, health, and environment requirements which are aligned to international standards. Mandatory standards requirement provides a competitive edge to Malaysian exporters in the global arena, while protecting the interests of consumers in the local market. As of 31 March 2009, a total of 5,588 Malaysian Standards have been developed, out of which 3,101 standards are aligned with international standards and 173 standards have been made mandatory. The sectors in mandatory standards are 3 for iron and steel, 57 for electrical equipment and accessories, 38 for food and food products including...

WTO Members may impose measures for the protection of human, animal, plant life or health reasons, under the Agreement on Sanitary and Phyto-Sanitary Measures (SPS). The measures imposed should conform to international standards and guidelines, in order to ensure harmonisation in implementation. The measures should not restrict the flow of trade, implemented in a non-discriminatory manner and should be applicable to all countries and domestic producers or suppliers. Despite these guidelines, disputes have been referred to the WTO on SPS measures. For example, the ban imposed by the US on importation of poultry products from China is viewed as discriminatory protectionism by China as it violates the obligations under the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) 1994 and the SPS Agreement. The US however insists that the SPS measures taken by them are to ensure food safety and is based on scientific evidence as required under the SPS Agreement and therefore is in compliance...

KUALA LUMPUR 22 Feb. - Menteri Perdagangan Antarabangsa dan Industri, Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed secara rasmi menyertai komuniti maya apabila melancarkan Facebooknya - usaha terbaik mendampingi rakyat dengan berkongsi idea dan pandangan. Facebook Mustapa mula diaktifkan sejak 21 Disember 2009 dan sejak dua bulan lalu telah mempunyai seramai 669 peminat yang terdiri daripada pelbagai latar belakang termasuk dari luar negara. Pelancaran laman sosial itu diadakan dalam Majlis Ramah Mesra Bersama Anak-Anak Kelantan sekitar Lembah Klang di kediaman beliau di sini semalam. Hadir sama, Timbalan Menteri Kewangan, Datuk Dr. Awang Adek Hussin yang juga Timbalan Pengerusi Badan Perhubungan UMNO Kelantan. Selain Facebook yang baru dilancarkan itu, beliau turut mempunyai medium komunikasi maya lain seperti laman web UMNO Jeli, www.umnojeli.net dan laman komuniti Jeli, Kelantan, www.jeli.my yang juga boleh diakses secara talian oleh orang ramai. Mustapa melihat penggunaan media sosial...

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. 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...

“It will provide more market access to traditional trading partners” WHEN the Doha Development Agenda or Doha Round, was launched in Doha, Qatar, in November 2001, it was billed as the inclusive initiative to ensure that developing countries are better integrated into the multilateral trading system. It was premised on the notion that a transparent and predictable global trading environment is good for business.One decade and several missed deadlines later, can we continue to look at the glass half-full? Read the full article by the Secretary General of MITI   

 

Geneva, December 15 - Dato’ Sri Mustapa Mohamed, Minister of International Trade and Industry, met with Dr Ahmad Mohamed Ali, President of the Islamic Development Bank at the sidelines of 8th World Trade Organization Ministerial Conference in Geneva. The    Islamic    Development    Bank Group (IDB Group) is a South-South multilateral    development    financing institution comprising five entities, namely: (i) the Islamic Development Bank (IDB); (ii) the Islamic Research and Training Institute (IRTI); (iii) the Islamic Corporation for the Insurance of Investment and Export Credit (ICIEC); (iv) the Islamic Corporation for the Development of the Private Sector (ICD); and (v) the International Islamic Trade Finance Corporation (ITFC). IDB is based in Jeddah and was founded in 1975.   At the meeting, Dato’ Sri Mustapa discussed with the IDB President the programme details for a high-level forum that will bring together top business leaders from OIC member...

TRADE Ministers from 153 World Trade Organisation (WTO) countries met in Geneva last week to discuss multilateral trade issues. But most will remember this as the year Russia concluded its 18-year marathon negotiations and joined the world organisation.Three other countries – Vanuatu, Samoa and Montenegro – also joined the WTO, bringing its coverage of world trade to 97%. This is all for the good because greater inclusiveness means more countries will come under the trading guidelines of a common multilateral trading system. For Malaysia, Russia’s accession would increase stability and openness in its domestic business environment and this will be good for our exporters. Our main exports to the Russian Federation are palm oil, electronics and electrical goods, iron and steel and rubber products.I had the privilege of chairing one of the plenary sessions as well as two working sessions – Trade and Development and the Doha Round of negotiations. I also chaired the Islamic...

On 28 May 2012, the Government of Malaysia initiated an anti-dumping investigation based on a petition filed by Amsteel Mills Sdn. Bhd. on behalf of the domestic industry producing steel wire rods (SWR). The petitioner alleges that imports of steel wire rods originating in or exported from Chinese Taipei, the People’s Republic of China, the Republic of Indonesia, the Republic of Korea and the Republic of Turkey are being imported into Malaysia at a price much lower than the price in the domestic market of the alleged countries. The petitioner claims that this is causing material injury to the domestic industry in Malaysia. The Government has completed the preliminary investigation as provided under Section 23 of the Countervailing and Anti-Dumping Duties Act 1993. The Government has found that there is sufficient evidence to continue with further investigation on the importations of SWR from the alleged countries. The Government of Malaysia has decided to impose a provisional...