PUTRAJAYA: Domestic tourism and the Malaysian brand will be given further push to spur export and boost trade during these challenging economic times.
The National Export Council (NEC) wants Brand Malaysia to be an initiative under the 1Malaysia Promotion programme, putting full use of the co-operation between ministries, agencies, government-linked companies and the private sector.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said these two key points, discussed at the council's meeting on Thursday, were among strategies to push up export figures this year.
For 2015, export rose 1.9% to RM779.9bil compared to 2014 and this was seen as encouraging considering the fact that commodity prices had taken a dip, the ringgit weakened and China's growth had slowed.
Trade balance also saw a 14.3% increase last year to RM94.3bil, giving the country its 18th consecutive year of surplus.
"We have directed the relevant authorities to promote domestic tourism aggresively to encourage Malaysians to spend their holidays locally.
"This will reduce the outflow of the ringgit and increase local economic activities,” Najib said after chairing the meeting.
Najib said the decision to ease tourist arrivals by implementing e-visa for certain countries, and to allow Chinese tourists to enter without having to apply for visa till the end of the year, would also help in promoting tourism.
The council agreed that more emphasis should be given to small and medium entreprises (SMEs) to penetrate markets via Matrade’s e-trade initiative.
Businesses under this category could promote and sell their products through global online shopping websites e-markets such as Alibaba.com, eBay, Amazon.com. TradeIndia, TMall.com and JD.com.
The aim, said Najib, was for the SMEs to contribute 23% of the country’s export in 2020, from 19% now.
"The NEC wants Matrade to expand Malaysia’s market by venturing into other cities in China, Asean, the Trans Pacific Partnership, Africa and Central Asia, to allow greater opportunities to Malaysian companies, especially SMEs to export their goods,” said Najib.
The council also discussed plans to increase agriculture production and export by allocating more space for permanent food production and integrated acquaculture zones, said Najib.
The aim was to achieve better trade balance for agro-food product.
The council has 11 members from the public sector and seven captains of industries.
“The NEC will continue to plan and prepare the economy to face global challenges so that the country’s export figures continue to remain positive.
"I trust that with the participation and input of council members, the country will remain competitive in the global economy,” Najib said.
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