MITI Yes To RM4.6 Billion Bumi Manufacturing Projects
JOHOR BAHARU, March 16 (Bernama) — The Ministry of
International Trade and Industry (Miti) has approved Bumiputera
manufacturing projects involving investments of RM4.8 billion for 2008.
Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said the sectors that received the
highest investments were transport equipment (RM1.5 billion), food
manufacturing (RM947.7 million), mineral and metal products (RM572.7
million), metal products (RM372.2 million) and petroleum and
petrochemical (RM342.4 million).
“Overall, the ministry approved 265 manufacturing projects involving an
investment of RM62.8 billion and of the amount, RM4.8 billion were from
Bumiputeras,” he said at the opening of the annual general meeting of
the Johor Malay Chamber of Commerce here Monday.
The text of his speech was read by ministry secretary-general, Tan Sri Abdul Rahman Mamat.
Muyhiddin said Miti would take measures to ensure that the Bumiputera
entrepreneurs were successful by undertaking various programmes to
strengthen their participation in the sector.
He said Miti would undertake ‘outreach’ programme this year with the
first to be held in Johor next month to reach out and advise Bumiputera
entrepreneurs nationwide.
“Under the programme, Bumiputera investors are expected to get in-depth
knowledge on the services, programmes and activities of Miti and its
agencies.
“These will help them benefit from Asean economic cooperation and free trade agreements,” he said.
Meanwhile, chamber president, Syed Ali Alattas, urged Bumiputera
entrepreneurs to continue their involvement in the halal food sector
because their participation was still small in the last eight years.
Syed Ali, who is also president of Malay Chamber of Commerce, said
although it was the Bumiputera entrepreneurs who started the halal food
sector, their role was still small.
“We did not become producers but only users,” he said.
