KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 21 (Bernama) — The cement industry is expected to see reasonable growth in the next two to three years on the support from the major government infrastructure development projects.

Minister of International Trade and Industry, Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed, said the construction sector recorded between five and six per cent growth for the past few years.

“Although demand for high-end residential units had softened, the government is continuously pushing to spur construction in the form of affordable housing, the Refinery and Petrochemical Integrated Development and Mass Rapid Transit projects, among others,” he told reporters at the 50th Anniversary of Cement and Concrete Association (C&CA) here Wednesday.

He said these projects were the major consumers of cement.

Mustapa said the prospects of the industry would continue to be good for cement and construction sector as a whole.

Meanwhile, C&CA Chairwoman, Datuk Yeoh Soo Keng, said the association hoped the...

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 22 (Bernama) –The Ministry of International Trade and Industry hopes the Budget 2016 will help boost economic growth and trade figures.

This is amid the uncertainty in the global market due to the fall in the oil prices and weakening of the ringgit, said its Minister Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed.

The budget will be tabled by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak in Parliament tomorrow.

Mustapa was also hopeful that more focus would be given to small and medium enterprises (SMEs) - the backbone of the country’s economy - in the budget with new plans and strategies to enhance exports.

Mustapa said this was also due to the competition the country is facing.

He told reporters this during a briefing and memorandum of understanding signing ceremony.

In an effort to encourage more Malaysian food manufacturers obtain the Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points (HACCP)certification, the Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (Matrade) is collaborating...

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...