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No. ISSN: 2180-0448 PERUTUSAN RAYA 1435H YB MENTERI MITI Assalamualaikum Warahmatullahi Wabarakatuh, Salam Sejahtera dan Salam 1Malaysia, Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar Walillah Hil Hamd. Setinggi-tinggi kesyukuran dipanjatkan ke hadrat Ilahi kerana berkat keizinan dan rahmatNya kita dipertemukan lagi dengan bulan suci Ramadhan dan diberi kesempatan untuk menyambut Hari Raya Aidilftiri 1435. Berlatar-belakangkan keharmonian dan ketenteramaan hasil usaha dan visi kepimpinan, kita sewajarnya mensyukuri nikmat Tuhan ini bahawa tahun ini sambutan Aidilfitri dapat diraikan dalam kesederhanaan. Sewajarnya kesempatan ini diambil untuk mengukuhkan perpaduan dengan meluangkan masa untuk berkongsi kemeriahan aidilfitri bersama rakan, jiran dan masyarakat berbilang bangsa. Perpaduan merupakan asas kepada keamanan dan keharmonian. Kita berbangga kerana keamanan yang kita kecapi telah membolehkan negara mencatatkan kadar pertumbuhan ekonomi yang positif. Pada suku pertama tahun ini, Keluaran Dalam Negara Kasar telah bertumbuh 6.2% berbanding 4.2% pada suku pertama 2013. Sementara itu, bagi tempoh Januari-Mei 2014, perdagangan negara telah juga mencatatkan pertumbuhan sebanyak 10.2% berbanding tahun 2013. Nilai eksport negara telah melonjak naik ke RM319.0 billion. Jumlah pelaburan yang diluluskan pada tahun 2013 telah meningkat sebanyak 29.0%, mencapai RM70.8 billion berbanding RM54.9 billion pada tahun 2012. Daripada jumlah pelaburan ini, 92,988 bilangan pekerjaan akan diwujudkan. Pada suku pertama tahun 2014, pelaburan yang diluluskan bagi sektor pembuatan mencatatkan peningkatan 45.7% kepada RM17.1 billion berbanding RM11.7 billion pada suku pertama 2013. Pertumbuhan ekonomi negara akan memastikan kesejahteraan dan kemakmuran rakyat terus terjamin dan akan membolehkan Malaysia mencapai status negara maju pada 2020. Oleh itu, di kesempatan hari yang mulia ini, marilah kita bersama-sama bertekad memperbaiki dan memantapkan lagi hubungan kita, bergerak bergandingan sebagai satu pasukan yang padu dengan penuh keikhlasan dalam menjalankan tugas. Semoga Allah S.W.T menganugerahkan natijah yang lebih baik dan kita semua mendapat keberkatan dari-Nya. Kita mempunyai tugasan yang mencabar dan perlu dilaksanakan dengan penuh tanggungjawab dan amanah bagi merealisasikan harapan rakyat dan menjadikan Malaysia sebuah negara yang hebat. Akhir kata, saya dan keluarga MITI mengucapkan Selamat Hari Raya Aidil Fitri, Maaf Zahir dan Batin kepada seluruh rakyat Malaysia. Dato’ Sri Mustapa Mohamed Menteri Perdagangan Antarabangsa & Industri (MITI) MITI Weekly Bulletin/ www.miti.gov.my “DRIVING Transformation, POWERING Growth” Hari Raya Aidilfitri atau Hari Raya Puasa adalah hari kemenangan bagi umat Islam yang telah berjaya menyempurnakan rukun Islam iaitu berpuasa sebulan melawan hawa nafsu. Perjuangan melawan hawa nafsu ini lebih besar dari sekadar menahan lapar dan dahaga, bahkan merupakan satu manifestasi pendidikan kepada jiwa dan raga dalam menahan diri daripada kelakuan dan percakapan yang dekat dengan sifat-sifat Mazmumah. Pada Syawal yang mulia ini, kita meraikan kemenangan dalam mengharungi cabaran dan dugaan sepanjang Ramadhan. MITI in the news Malaysia-Guinea Bilateral Trade To See Double-Digit Growth This Year Bilateral trade between Malaysia and Guinea is expected to see double-digit growth this year, says International Trade and Industry Minister Dato’ Sri Mustapa Mohamed. The Minister said Malaysia viewed Guinea as a growing market with a lot of potential to be exploited by Malaysian investors. Last year, trade between the two countries increased 11 per cent to US$44.95 million (RM139.34 million) with exports in favor of Malaysia at US$42.32 million (RM131.19 million). Palm oil was Malaysia’s main export. Speaking to media after a closed door meeting with his counterpart, Marc Yombouno in Putrajaya, Monday, Mustapa said it was a follow-up to the visit by Guinea’s President, Alpha Conde to Malaysia two years ago. “The country is rich in agriculture with more than six million hectares of land, a variety of mineral resources like iron and diamonds and also some petroleum,” he added. Meanwhile, Yombouno said Guinea recognised Malaysia as an advanced country and was keen to attract more entrepreneurs from this country. “We need Malaysia’s experience and expertise on Islamic finance while using Guinea as a staging point for investments in Africa,” he added Exclusive Interview with YB Menteri by China News Service Minister of International Trade and Industry Dato’ Sri Mustapa Mohamed said in KL on 7 July that this year is the 40th anniversary of China-Malaysia diplomatic relations. He believed the relations between the two countries will move forward along the right track and hoped the two countries will achieve breakthrough in investment cooperation. Minister Mustapa accepted an interview by China News Service team for the “New Century Silk RoadChinese media’s journey of ten thousand miles” program at his office. Mustapa gave his opinion about the current and future development of China-Malaysia economic and trade relations as well as new opportunities that could be derived from the establishment of 21st Century Maritime Silk. Mustapa said that Malaysia and China enjoy close relationship. Both countries are not only close neighbors but also have good cooperation in the areas of politics, economics, social, and cultural. This year is the 40th anniversary of Malaysia-China diplomatic relations and we have enjoyed close relations for the past 40 years. Most importantly, our trade relations have been upgraded in recent years. China has been Malaysia’s biggest trading partner since 2009. Last year, our trade reached US$106 billion and broke the 100 billion mark. At present, we have “marvelous” relationship in politics, economics, and social. “We believe our good relations will move forward along the right track and seek breakthrough in many areas”. “I believe the great relationship between China and Malaysia will pass on from generation to generation”. Mustapa hoped that the bilateral investment could achieve breakthrough in two areas. First, he hoped for more Chinese investment in Malaysia. Currently, the direct investment from China to Malaysia was only 1 billion US$, while Malaysia’s investment to China already exceeded US$6 billion. Second, in terms of sectors, Malaysia wants to see more Chinese investment in high value-added, knowledge intensive projects and services. “As the bilateral economic and trade cooperation expands, I believe the bilateral trade target of US$160 billion can be achieved successfully by 2017. Sources : China News Service and MITI Beijing MITI Weekly Bulletin/ www.miti.gov.my “DRIVING Transformation, POWERING Growth” Source : Bernama,14 July 2014 MALAYSIA Exports to FTA Partners, 2000-2014 (January-May) 120 97.0 100 RM billion 80 79.8 60 48.8 39.1 40 20 11.5 29.2 36.2 25.7 14.4 9.2 11.9 Japan 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 Australia 2014 (JanMay) India 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2000 2001 7.3 0 PRC Imports from FTA Partners, 2000-2014 (January-May) 106.3 100 RM billion 80 65.5 56.4 60 44.5 40 12.3 6.1 8.6 16.4 6.1 Australia 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 Japan India 2014 (Jan-May) PRC 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2.7 2000 0 23.1 16.5 2013 20 Total Trade with FTA Partners, 2000-2014 (January-May) 250 150 114.3 100 50 83.6 59.3 23.8 22.9 15.3 PRC Source : Department of Statistics, Malaysia MITI Weekly Bulletin/www.miti.gov.my Japan Australia India 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 17.9 2001 2000 0 10.1 2014 (JanMay) RM billion 200 “DRIVING Transformation, POWERING Growth” 120 Major Export Products with FTA Partners, January-May 2014 RM bil. 18.8 E&E 16.9 Chemicals & Chemical Products 3.8 RM bil. E&E Palm Oil Crude Petroleum 8 LNG 6.8 3.4 Crude Petroleum RM bil. 6 6.0 Palm Oil 2.8 Petroleum Products Wood 4 Products 1.6 2 RM bil. 1.7 2.3 E&E 1.7 E&E 1.6 0 PRC Japan Australia India Source : Department of Statistics, Malaysia SMEs in Malaysia Category Micro Small Medium Manufacturing Sales turnover of less than RM300,000 or employees of less than 5 Sales turnover of less than RM300,000 to less than RM1.5 mil or employees from 5 to less than 75 Sales turnover from RM15 mil to not exceeding RM50 mil or employees from 75 to not exceeding 200 Services and other sectors Sales turnover of less than RM300,000 or employees of less than 5 Sales turnover from RM300,000 to less than RM3 mil or employees from 5 to less than 30 Sales turnover from RM3 mil to not exceeding RM20 mil or employees from 30 to not exceeding 75 Comparison of SME definition criteria used across countries Source : Various sources from SME agencies and authorities MITI Weekly Bulletin/www.miti.gov.my “DRIVING Transformation, POWERING Growth” New SME definition based on size SME Operating Cost Structure Overall 45.7 Construction 17.6 49.7 8.7 19.7 7.5 6.4 7.3 6.3 Manufacturing 46.5 18.0 9.4 7.1 Agriculture 45.9 18.9 8.0 10.1 Services 44.9 0 17.0 20 40 8.7 7.7 60 (%) 3.9 6.2 4.8 8.2 6.2 7.1 6.5 7.6 5.5 7.3 6.2 6.5 6.2 6.9 80 100 Raw material and other input cost Labour/Staff cost Utilities cost Transport cost Rental cost Financing/Borrowing cost Other cost Source : SME Corporation Malaysia SME growth (Year-on-year growth %) 12 10.0 10 8 Overall GDP growth 8.3 6.4 7.0 6.5 6.3 6 4 6.0 7.4 5.6 4.8 5.6 5.1 5.0~6.0 4.5~5.0 0.2 2 0 -2 -4 -1.5 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012p 2013f Sources: Department of Statistics, Malaysia and SME Corporation Malaysia International Report Ease of Passage The most powerful passports in the world Malaysia is among the Top 10 countries whose passports enable visa-free entry to the highest number of destinations (163 countries). Source : Movehub.com MITI Weekly Bulletin/www.miti.gov.my “DRIVING Transformation, POWERING Growth” SME GDP growth and overall GDP Indonesia’s Trade Performance, January-May 2014 5.8% 3.8% US$ billion 75 73.4 70 74.2 Main export destinations for non-oil & gas products:ASEAN (Malaysia 2nd destination) PRC EU and USA 65 Main import sources for non-oil & gas products:ASEAN (Malaysia 3rd main source) Japan EU and USA 60 55 50 Exports Imports “DRIVING Transformation, POWERING Growth” Bilateral Trade Indonesia - Malaysia (Jan-May 2014) Exports = US$3.5 bil. Imports = US$4.3 bil. Total Trade = US$7.8 bil Sources: Indonesia’s National Statistics Bureau and MITI Jakarta Top Ten Countries with the highest Inflation Rate, 2014* Belarus 29.8 Venezuela 28.5 Iran 18.3 Eritrea 12.3 Egypt 12.1 Uzbekistan 11.0 Pakistan 11.0 Sudan 10.8 Yemen 10.5 Argentina 9.8 0 5 10 15 (%) Note: e=Estimate figure Source : www.statista.com MITI Weekly Bulletin/www.miti.gov.my 20 25 30 Malaysian Ringgit Exchange Rate with Japanese Yen and Korean Won January 2013-June 2014 Korean Won (KRW100) Japanese Yen (JPY100) 3.50 0.32 100 KRW = RM0.32 3.40 0.31 3.30 0.30 3.20 0.29 3.10 0.28 100 JPY = RM 3.15 3.00 0.27 2.90 0.26 2.80 0.25 2.70 Jan Feb Mar Apr May June July Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May June 2013 0.24 2014 Gold and Silver Prices, 17 January 2013-18 July 2014 US$/gramme US$/oz Gold 45 44 30 Silver 43 28 42 26 41 40 24 39 22 38 37 20 36 35 18 17 24 30 7 14 21 28 7 14 21 28 4 11 18 25 2 9 16 23 30 6 13 20 27 4 Jan Jan Jan Feb Feb Feb Feb Mar Mar Mar Mar Apr Apr Apr Apr May May May May May Jun Jun Jun Jun Jul 11 18 Jul Jul Source : http://www.gold.org/investments/statistics/gold_price_chart/ Aluminium, Nickel and Cooper Prices, January 2013-June 2014 US$/MT 25000 Aluminum Copper Nickel US$18,629 20000 15000 10000 US$6,821 5000 0 US$1,839 Jan 13 Feb 13 Mar 13 Apr 13 May 13 Jun 13 Jul 13 Aug 13 Sep 13 Oct 13 Nov 13 Dec 13 Jan 14 Feb 14 Mar 14 Apr 14 May 14 Jun 14 Source : http://econ.worldbank.orgMITI Weekly Bulletin/www.miti.gov.my “DRIVING Transformation, POWERING Growth” Source : Bank Negara, Malaysia Number and Value of Preferential Certificates of Origin (PCOs) Value of Preferential Certificates of Origin Number of Certificates 1,400 AANZFTA AIFTA AJCEP ATIGA ACFTA AKFTA 1,000 25 May 2014 845 647 217 4,319 1,563 815 800 02 Jun 2014 815 590 203 4,854 1,235 800 600 08 Jun 2014 785 539 236 3,870 1358 746 400 15 Jun 2014 787 505 243 4,068 1,266 840 200 22 Jun 2014 871 650 196 4,585 1,293 906 29 Jun 2014 683 476 220 4,344 1,127 713 06 Jul 2014 392 276 104 2,135 733 318 13 Jul 2014 780 552 199 4,444 1,089 806 RM million 1,200 0 25 May 2 Jun 8 Jun 15 Jun 22 Jun 29 Jun 6 Jul 13 Jul AANZFTA 86 78 74 69 83 57 48 74 AIFTA 723 162 1,144 300 494 80 62 142 AJCEP 75 99 78 77 59 69 48 81 AANZFTA: ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement (Implemented since 1 January 2010) Value of Preferential Certificates of Origin 12,000 AIFTA: ASEAN-India Free Trade Agreement (Implemented since 1 January 2010) AJCEP: ASEAN-Japan Comprehensive Economic Partnership (Implemented since 1 February 2009) 10,000 ATIGA: ASEAN Trade in Goods Agreement (Implemented since 1 May 2010) ACFTA: ASEAN-China Free Trade Agreement (Implemented since 1 July 2003) 6,000 4,000 2,000 AKFTA: ASEAN-Korea Free Trade Agreement (Implemented since 1 July 2006) 0 25 May 2 Jun 8 Jun 15 Jun 22 Jun 29 Jun 6 Jul 13 Jul ATIGA 628 1,081 1,380 9,322 9,219 9,259 302 796 ACFTA 768 357 625 272 649 520 437 406 AKFTA 344 175 104 1,017 522 151 58 143 MICECA MNZFTA MCFTA MAFTA 25 May 2014 262 13 89 344 02 Jun 2014 276 2 49 371 08 Jun 2014 279 11 76 372 15 Jun 2014 252 0 35 297 60 22 Jun 2014 243 6 321 321 50 29 Jun 2014 296 3 60 292 40 06 Jul 2014 133 3 32 158 30 13 Jul 2014 281 6 65 376 Value of Preferential Certificates of Origin 80 70 RM million Number of Certificates 20 MICECA: Malaysia-India Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (Implemented since 1 July 2011) MNZFTA: Malaysia-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement (Implemented since 1 August 2010) MCFTA: Malaysia-Chile Free Trade Agreement (Implemented since 25 February 2012) MAFTA: Malaysia-Australia Free Trade Agreement (Implemented since 1 January 2013) 10 25 May 2 Jun 8 Jun 15 Jun 22 Jun 29 Jun 6 Jul 13 Jul MICECA 67.40 45.95 35.47 50.72 30.03 49.21 22.05 45.95 MNZFTA 0.20 0.07 0.16 0.00 0.40 0.14 0.06 0.11 MCFTA 13.42 7.97 8.24 5.64 22.17 7.23 7.80 12.76 MAFTA 25.80 29.93 25.01 28.40 22.17 27.34 11.60 24.25 Number of Certificates MJEPA MPCEPA GSP 25 May 2014 772 207 136 2 Jun 2014 1,003 144 169 8 Jun 2014 800 167 132 15 Jun 2014 837 125 109 22 Jun 2014 791 136 144 29 Jun 2014 752 154 159 06 Jul 2014 409 54 55 13 Jul 2014 843 133 130 Notes: The preference giving countries under the GSP scheme Norway,Switzerland, Belarus, the Russian Federation , Kazakhstan and Liechtenstein. Source: Ministry of International Trade and Industry, Malaysia MITI Weekly Bulletin/ www.miti.gov.my Value of Preferential Certificates of Origin 250 200 RM million 0 150 100 50 0 25 May 2 Jun 8 Jun 15 Jun 22 Jun 29 Jun 6 Jul 13 Jul MJEPA 133 132 170 109 136 123 79 127 MPCEPA 74 46 67 21 28 50 8 21 GSP 28 19 17 17 19 27 14 25 MPCEPA: Malaysia-Pakistan Closer Economic Partnership Agreement (Implemented since 1 January 2008) MJEPA: Malaysia-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement (Implemented since 13 July 2006) “DRIVING Transformation, POWERING Growth” RM miliion 8,000 Commodity Price Trends, 18 April-18 July 2014 110 Cocoa SMC 2 108 3,000 2,500 106 1,500 102 Crude Petroleum US$/MT US$/bbl 2,000 Rubber SMR 20 104 1,000 100 Crude Palm Oil Scrap Iron 98 96 Crude Petroleum/bbl Rubber SMR 20/MT Cocoa SMC 2/MT Crude Palm Oil/MT Scrap Iron/MT Raw Sugar/MT Iron Ore/MT Coal/MT 18 Apr 104.2 1,808.0 2,586.0 900.5 395.0 368.5 150.0 67.8 25 Apr 101.9 1,715.0 2,608.6 915.8 395.0 385.3 150.0 67.2 2 May 100.2 1,739.0 2,517.9 913.6 395.0 382.3 150.0 67.2 9 May 100.3 1,674.0 2,516.3 913.6 395.0 368.8 150.0 70.2 16 May 101.6 1,723.5 2,517.9 898.5 395.0 394.5 150.0 69.3 23 May 103.8 1,725.0 2,643.1 906.0 380.0 384.0 140.0 69.3 30 May 103.4 1,695.0 2,629.9 893.0 380.0 364.8 140.0 62.0 6 Jun 102.4 1,660.5 2,690.6 856.3 380.0 364.5 140.0 60.9 13 Jun 107.6 1,685.0 2,675.4 848.8 380.0 365.3 140.0 60.4 20 Jun 106.6 1,736.0 2,690.6 849.5 380.0 381.0 140.0 59.5 27 Jun 106.7 1,792.5 2,736.1 868.0 380.0 390.5 140.0 61.5 4 Jul 104.6 1,747.0 2,720.9 867.0 380.0 371.5 140.0 61.5 500 Raw Sugar Iron Ore Coal 0 11 Jul 18 Jul 102.8 101.6 1,687.0 1,671.5 2,705.7 2,736.1 863.7 863.7 380.0 380.0 367.5 366.0 140.0 140.0 60.2 60.5 Highest & Lowest Prices, 2013/2014 Highest (US$ per bbl) 13 Jun 2014: 107.6 Sep 2013: 110.2 Crude Palm Oil (18 July 2014) US$863.7 per MT Highest (US$ per MT) 14 Mar 2014: 982.5 15 Nov 2013: 925.0 Lowest (US$ per bbl) 10 Jan 2014: 92.3 19 Apr 2013: 88.1 Weekly Commodity Prices Lowest (US$ per MT) 13 Jun 2014: 848.8 4 Jan 2013: 800.0 18 July 2014 (US$) % Change* 2013i 2012i 2011i Crude Petroleum (per bbl) 101.6 1.2 88.1-108.6 77.7-109.5 80.3-112.7 Crude Palm Oil (per MT) 863.7 unchanged 805.5 1,000.4 1,124.0 Raw Sugar (per MT) 366.0 0.4 361.6 473.8 647.0 Rubber SMR 20 (per MT) 1,671.5 0.9 2,390.8 952.5 1,348.3 Cocoa SMC 2 (per MT) 2,736.1 1.1 1,933.1 2,128.9 2,644.8 60.5 0.5 380.0 (High) 370.0 (Low) unchanged unchanged 485.6 444.7 491.0 Commodity Coal (per MT) Scrap Iron HMS (per MT) Notes: All figures have been rounded to the nearest decimal point * Refer to % change from the previous week’s price i Average price in the year except otherwise indicated MITI Weekly Bulletin/ www.miti.gov.my 18 July 2014 domestic prices for : 1.Billets (per MT) : RM1,700 – RM1,750 2.Steel bars (per MT) : RM1,970 - RM2,120 “DRIVING Transformation, POWERING Growth” Crude Petroleum (18 July 2014) US$101.6 per bbl ASEAN Economic Community ‘Thinking Globally, Prospering Regionally’ PART 3 “SHARED MARKET, SHARED BENEFITS” “FROM TEN to ONE” With reduced barriers to trade and investment, investors can move more freely in the region, have greater access to capital and benefit from moving goods easily across borders. EXAMPLE: Jollibee, one of the region’s most successful and fastest-growing fast-food chains, has benefitted greatly from integration, allowing it to build an efficient supply chain that helps keep prices down. It sources both processed and basic ingredients from suppliers in its home country and around the region, enabling the company “to share its good food to more ASEAN people at very affordable prices.” EXAMPLE: The liberalisation of air services within the ASEAN region and outside the region with Dialogue Partners will enable greater air connectivity, which will in turn lower fares for the carriage of goods and passengers, and provide businessmen and the travelling public with more options. ASEAN signed its first air services agreement with China in 2011 and expanded the agreement in 2012. ASEAN will embark on greater engagement with its Dialogue Partners to conclude more liberal air services agreements. EXAMPLE: The establishment of the ASEAN Community- Based Tourism Standard will empower local communities to enjoy the benefits of their tourism potential by improving the quality of visitor experiences through partnerships with the private sector, which ultimately will provide more opportunities for youth employment and entrepreneurship. “SIMPLIFIED RULES, GREATER ACCESS” “TRADING ON A BIGGER STAGE” Trade in the region will be facilitated through simple, harmonised and streamlined trade and customs documentation as well as rules and procedures. EXAMPLE: Denso Corporation, a manufacturing company with operations in five ASEAN countries, has benefited from the trade facilitation provisions of ATIGA and the pilot self-certification system. Employing more than 22,000 people and with US$2.9 billion of investments in ASEAN, the company has seen a reduction in document processing time and costs for its trade-related activities, contributing to the increase of its exports to the ASEAN market. MITI Weekly Bulletin | www.miti.gov.my “DRIVING Transformation, POWERING Growth” EXAMPLE: Four years before ASEAN was established, the Jebsen & Jessen Group of Companies started small in the region. Today, it is a US$866 million operation and a model of regional integration with entities in nine out of the ten ASEAN nations, thanks to greater liberalisation of markets. As ASEAN grew, the company expanded from trading into chemical manufacturing and other operations, taking advantage of ASEAN as a platform for growth. Benefitting from regional integration, the company has moved into technology, communications and other pursuits and is one of the first industrial companies in Southeast Asia to be carbon neutral, offsetting its emissions for all operations. EXAMPLE: Sony EMCS (Malaysia), a manufacturer of audio and video products as well as household appliances, uses the listed testing laboratory in Malaysia. Television sets are tested prior to export, and the test results are accepted by regulatory authorities in importing ASEAN countries. For ASEAN consumers, this arrangement ensures that imported electronic goods are safe and comply with all relevant standards. EXAMPLE: Simplified rules, greater transparency and enhanced regulatory coherence for trading and investment provide incentives for young entrepreneurs to launch businesses that take advantage of a unified market to expand and target regional consumers. With the “buzz” increasing around the AEC, young people, especially from the SME sector, can also be expected to reach out to partners in neighbouring states to build synergies. “ASEAN: HOME FOR YOUR INVESTMENT” “PARTNERS IN BUSINESS” A more conducive business environment will encourage investors who are not yet in ASEAN to do business in the region, provide greater confidence among current investors to expand their investments and increase intra- ASEAN investment. EXAMPLE: Caterpillar, an international heavy equipment company, has made a major commitment to ASEAN as it sees the labour force expanding and a growing commitment to building modern infrastructure. From the company’s vantage point, “ASEAN provides many opportunities. At the same time, each country is highly distinct. Each country in the region offers its unique challenges and opportunities. The future is bright for ASEAN.” EXAMPLE: India’s Fortis and the Bangkok Hospital Group have built up considerable expertise and experience in Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand. Similar partnerships provide better healthcare for the general public. EXAMPLE: For young people, lowered barriers to foreign investment and greater integration are providing better educational services in the context of the AEC. Student mobility, the transfer of academic credits and the creation of research clusters will help improve ASEAN’s higher education system and provide support to the estimated 6,500 higher education institutions and 12 million students in the ten Member States. “MAKING CAPITAL WORK FOR YOU” “EXPANDING ACCESS TO FINANCE” A more robust ASEAN financial sector translates into stronger financial intermediation, capacity and risk management to support national and regional growth, and stronger cooperation to reduce vulnerabilities to external shocks and market volatility. EXAMPLE: The seven ASEAN Exchanges have a combined market capitalisation of approximately US$2.9 trillion with more than 3,600 companies listed on their exchanges. Since the launch of ASEAN Exchanges in April 2011, a number of key initiatives have been rolled out. Some of these include the ASEAN Trading Link, the ASEAN Stars and the Invest ASEAN Retail Roadshow. These initiatives have created significant awareness of ASEAN as an attractive location for retail and institutional investors. The collaboration will jointly promote the development of ASEAN as an asset class and increase liquidity by streamlining access to ASEAN capital markets. EXAMPLE: CIMB, a strong advocate of regional financial integration, thinks of itself as an ASEAN bank. Now operating in nine out of the ten ASEAN countries, the bank has what it calls a “multi-local” business model that strongly relies on local expertise to deepen its involvement and branch network into rural and urban areas in many countries at once. EXAMPLE: With a more developed banking sector, small and medium enterprises and entrepreneurs will have better access to financial services. In addition, initiatives on financial inclusion and financial literacy will support individuals in their own financial planning. MITI Weekly Bulletin/ www.miti.gov.my “DRIVING Transformation, POWERING Growth” EXAMPLE: Prudential Insurance has been in the region for 80 years, expanding rapidly in the ASEAN era. The company calls itself “as much an Asian company as a British one.” Active in seven ASEAN countries and still expanding, the company “sees its future as intertwined with the future of ASEAN.” “ASEAN PROFESSIONALS ON THE MOVE” “BEST PEOPLE AND BEST PRACTICES” The diversity of talent found in the ten Member States is a major benefit for ASEAN employers as they build regional companies. EXAMPLE: ASEAN has come up with an information and communications technology (ICT) skill standards and certification framework in order to develop human capital and enable the free flow of ICT professionals within the region. The framework focuses on five key ICT areas: software development, ICT project management, enterprise architecture design, network and system administration and information system and network security. EXAMPLE: Mutual Recognition Arrangements (MRAs) such as ASEAN’s MRA in engineering and architectural services provide for recognition and registration of certified professionals to practice in other ASEAN countries. The MRAs will also change the way ASEAN professionals think about their careers as the prospect of marketing and utilising their skills across the ASEAN region becomes more attainable. EXAMPLE: Under the MRA on Tourism Professionals signed in 2012, training and education institutions using the Common ASEAN Tourism Curriculum will help improve their graduates’ eligibility to work in other Member States. This opens up great opportunities to enhance the quality of services and human resources in the tourism industry. What comes next? ASEAN is committed to fulfill the 2007 pledge to implement the ASEAN Economic Community by the end of 2015. That said, many of the AEC deliverables have already been realised between 2007 and now, and our businesses are already enjoying the fruits of greater ASEAN integration as a result. ASEAN has now focused its attention on the implementation of remaining deliverables under the AEC. While there are challenges that we will face in completing the task, ASEAN’s commitment to implementing the AEC remains undiminished. AEC 2015 will also not be the end of ASEAN integration efforts. At their annual summit meeting in Brunei Darussalam in 2013, the ASEAN heads of state committed to creating a “Post-2015 Vision” that builds on the blueprint for an ASEAN Community and the Master Plan on ASEAN Connectivity. The leaders’ goal is to realise a community that is “politically cohesive, economically integrated, socially responsible and a truly people-oriented, people-centred and rules-based ASEAN.” The heads of state, leaders in the private sector and other experts know that regional integration and the building of a single market for the AEC is a process that is just beginning. It will continue past 2015 as barriers are lowered, connectivity is enhanced, infrastructure is built and legal frameworks are refined to fit the community. New situations will emerge, fears must be overcome, unforeseen consequences will be encountered and solutions will be found. Our ASEAN people, in all their diversity and creativity, are the most crucial factor on our journey. We need to continually engage the private sector as the key partner in making the AEC a success. We encourage ASEAN businesses in particular to think of ASEAN as a whole and develop their own ASEAN strategies, leveraging on the AEC initiatives and the opportunities they present. This is a golden opportunity for the region’s growing business community. Seize the moment. Get involved! “2015: JUST THE BEGINNING” Source: Excerp from ‘Thinking Globally, Prospering Regionally’, ASEAN Economic Community 2015, published by ASEAN Secretariat. MITI Weekly Bulletin/ www.miti.gov.my “DRIVING Transformation, POWERING Growth” EXAMPLE: AirAsia, the regional low-cost air carrier, has expanded its network greatly ahead of the open skies policy under the AEC. But as important as hardware and landing rights are, the company’s employees are the key to success. “People are our greatest asset,” the company says. Its mechanics, pilots, cabin crew and others come from many different ASEAN countries, allowing the airline to benefit from ASEAN’s diversity. “Our deepest condolences to families and friends of passengers and crew members of flight MH17. May their souls rest in peace...“ REMEMBERING MH17 2013 GDP Growth 0.1% (US$177.8 bil.) GDP Per capita US$3,919.4 Inflation rate -0.3% Population 45.4 mil. persons Ethnic Composition Ukrainian : 77.8% Russian : 17.3% Others : 4.9% Ukraine’s Trade Performance (2013) Export to the world Import from the world Major export products: : US$63.3 bil. : US$77.0 bil. i) Semi-finished Products Of Iron Or Non-alloy Steel; ii) Corn (Maize) and iii) Iron Ores And Concentrates Major import products: i) Petroleum Gases And Other Gaseous Hydrocarbons; ii) Petroleum Oils& Oils From Bituminous and iii) Motor Cars And Other Motor Vehicles Sources : CIA World Factbook, International Monetary Fund (IMF), World Trade Atlas (WTA) and Department of Statistics, Malaysia MITI Weekly Bulletin/ www.miti.gov.my “DRIVING Transformation, POWERING Growth” Ukraine Macroeconomic Indicators WTO & YOU WTO 4 ALL JARGON MADE EASIER Glossary of Terms: AGRICULTURE BLUE BOX GREEN BOX Refer to domestic support measures for agriculture that distort production and trade, including price support and subsidies directly related to production quantities. They may have to be reduced through the Total Aggregate Measurement of Support. Agriculture supports linked to production, but subject to production limits and therefore minimally tradedistorting. The specific rules are: (a) payments are based on fixed area and yields; or (b) payments are made on 85% or less of the base level of production; or (c) livestock payments are made on a fixed number of head. These supports are exempt from the reduction commitments under the WTO Agreement on Agriculture. Domestic support policies for agriculture products exempt from the Uruguay Round reduction commitments and permitted without limits. Green box policies include genuine relief to farmers through a wide range of assiatance measures which have a minimal impact on trade, such as disaster relief, research, disease control, infrastructure, environmental protection and food security. For inquiries, kindly email: allwto@miti.gov.my Name Designation Regional Office Email Contact Details : Nur Ayunni Arif : Administrative Assistant : Kelantan : ayunni.arif : 09-7483457 allmtpn@miti.gov.my Name Designation Regional Office Email alltps@miti.gov.my : Shaifudin Omar : Driver : Johor : saifudin.omar Comments & Suggestions Dear Readers, Kindly click the link below for any comments in this issue. MWB reserves the right to edit and to republish letters as reprints. http://www.miti.gov.my/cms_matrix/form.jsp?formId=c1148fbf-c0a81573-3a2f3a2f-1380042c MITI Weekly Bulletin/ www.miti.gov.my “DRIVING Transformation, POWERING Growth” AMBER BOX