| Trade With Four FTA Partner Countries Have Increased 100 Per Cent To RM13.8 Billion In 2007 KUALA LUMPUR, THURSDAY, JULY 31 - The Malaysian Government Believes That Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) Can Expedite Freer Trade Through The Lowering Or Elimination Of Tariffs And Non-tariff Measures, As Well As Spur Investment And Liberalisation Of Trade In Services. The Deputy Minister of International Trade and Industry, Datuk Liew Vui Keong, stated, “The importance of the external sector to the Malaysian economy compels Malaysia to pursue trade agreements with major trading partners to further improve market access for its exports, and simplification of import and export procedures and processes.” Datuk Liew said this when officiating the opening of Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation’s (MATRADE) seminar entitled “Opportunities Under Malaysia’s Free Trade Agreements (FTAs)”. The event was held at Menara MATRADE, Kuala Lumpur this morning. According to Datuk Liew, preliminary assessments indicate that the preferential market access provided under the various FTAs have positively contributed to the expansion of Malaysia’s exports. “Based on Certificates of Origin (COOs) issued by the Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI), Malaysia’s exports under preferential market access to the four FTA partner countries have increased 100 per cent from RM6.9 billion to RM13.8 billion in 2007” he said. Under the ASEAN-China FTA, exports utilising the COOs have registered significant increases. Malaysia’s exports to China using COOs have increased to RM3.8 billion in 2006 from RM1.3 billion in 2006. In 2007, 12,437 COOs with value of exports of RM5.6 billion were issued to Malaysian exporters for their exports to China. According to Datuk Liew, under the Malaysia-Japan FTA, a total of 21,471 COOs with an export value of RM3.07 billion were issued from July to December 2006. In 2007, a total of 46,032 COOs were issued with an export value of RM6.75 billion. Meanwhile, Malaysia’s exports to Korea under the ASEAN-Korea FTA totalled RM1.3 billion with 7,960 COOs issued, while exports to Pakistan under the FTA increased from RM44.9 million in 2006 to RM55.4 million in 2007. “Notwithstanding the benefits arising from the FTAs, the number of SMEs utilising the preferential tariffs is still small. Based on MITI’s record, out of 1,525 companies currently utilising the COOs, only 25 per cent were SMEs. The low utilisation of FTAs by SMEs is attributed to the lack of awareness and understanding on the subject matter,” Datuk Liew added. Datuk Liew also announced the establishment of an FTA Focal Point at MATRADE. As a focal point for FTA, MATRADE will promote and disseminate information on the FTAs and the benefits to Malaysian companies. These include the dissemination of information on eligible products, preferential tariff rates and the procedure for the application of COOs. Datuk Liew stressed that in order to fully realise the benefits of FTAs, it was imperative for Malaysian companies to undertake the following measures: · Restructuring and diversification of their activities; · Rationalisation of their industries through relocation of certain products to lower cost producing countries in the region; · Moving to higher-value added products; and · Establishing strategic partnerships and alliances with other companies in the region. About MATRADE The Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE) was established on March 1, 1993 as the external trade promotion arm of Malaysia's Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI). Its functions are: · To promote, assist and develop Malaysia's external trade with particular emphasis on the export of manufactured and semi-manufactured products and services; · To formulate and implement export marketing strategies and trade promotion activities to promote Malaysia's export; · To undertake commercial intelligence and market research and create a comprehensive database of information for the improvement and development of Malaysia's trade; · To organise training programmes to improve the international marketing skills of Malaysian exporters; · To enhance and protect Malaysia's international trade investment abroad; and To promote, facilitate and assist in the services areas related to trade. SOURCE: MATRADE For more information, please contact: Mr. S. Jai Shankar Senior Manager, Corporate Communications Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE) General Line: 03 – 6207 7077 Ext. 7402 Direct Line: 03 – 6207 7402 Fax: 03 – 6203 7194 Email: jai@matrade.gov.my DATE OF RELEASE : 31 JULY 2008 RELEASED BY BERNAMA MEDIA RELATIONS & EVENT MANAGEMENT | |
Johor, the Southern Gateway
Johor, the Southern Gateway
A Rich History  Johor gets its name from the Arabic word Jauhar meaning 'precious stones'. Prior to that, it was known as Ujung Tanah which mean 'land's end' in Malay, due to its location at the end of the Malay Peninsula. It is also an apt name, as the southern-most tip of Asia is located at Tanjung Piai, Johor. The state derived its status as the country's Southern Gateway after it was connected to Singapore through the 1056m-long Causeway which was completed in 1923 after four years of construction. Johor has a rich and illustrious ancient history - its sultanate was established in the early 16th century, commanding the southern Peninsula and Riau islands. Upon Malacca's defeat to the Portuguese in 1511, the son of the last Sultan of Malacca, Sultan Mahmud Shah, had established a monarchy in Johor and had posed a constant threat to the Portuguese. Johor is the only state, apart from Melaka, that grew into an empire. During its peak, the whole of Pahang and the present day Indonesian territories of Riau Archipelago and part of Sumatra Island were under Johor's rule.The Rise of a New Metropolis Today Johor is poised to conquer the world with state-of-the-art metropolis Iskandar Malaysia, formerly known as the Iskandar Development Region (IDR). Officially launched by His Royal Highness the Sultan of Johor on the 4 November 2006, Iskandar Malaysia is set to become Southern Peninsular Malaysia's most developed region, where living, entertainment, environment and business seamlessly converge within a bustling and vibrant metropolis connected in an ultra-modern telecommunications network. The beacon of new growth, Iskandar Malaysia will spur economic developments that actuate Malaysia's global potential to greater heights. Sprawling 2,217 sq. km, it is 3 times the size of Singapore and is comprised of most of Johor's major hubs including Johor Bahru, Danga Bay, world-class ports Tanjung Pelepas and Pasir Gudang, amongst others. A Melting Pot of Culture With its 3.17 million population, Johor is the most populous state in Malaysia. Besides the cultural expressions practiced by the local Malays, Chinese and Indians, culture in Johor is also influenced by visitors and traders throughout history. The Bugis who first set foot in Johor would be biggest influence especially on the side of politics. The Arabs strongly influenced the arts like the Zapin dance and Hamdolok theatre performances and musical instruments like gambus (Arab lute). Ghazal Johor a love song or poem is sung in Malay with instruments like the gambus, accordion, drum, etc, but its songs reflect much Hindustani and Persian influence. The Kuda Kepang dance, a legless horse-shaped puppet straddled by the performers is inspired by the Javanese. The rich culture and heritage of Johor is also reflected in its traditional costumes. The baju kurung Teluk Belanga, widely recognised as Johor's traditional attire since the 19th Century is also known as Baju Kurung Johor. It comes in both male and female versions. The man's costume has three pockets while the lady's version has one medium-sized breast pocket on the left. Cekak Musang and Teluk Belanga are types of collar design of the male version. It is said that Teluk Belanga was designed by Sultan Abu Bakar in 1866 to reminisce the shift of Johor's capital from Teluk Belanga to Johor Bahru. Highlights and Attractions Johor is divided into eight districts: Batu Pahat, Johor Bahru, Kluang, Kota Tinggi, Mersing, Muar, Pontian and Segamat, the largest of these being Johor Bahru which is the state capital. Visitors commonly head for Johor Bahru's royal palaces and lively night markets, considered as some of the state's best attractions. The state's islands are a tourist attraction with their stretches of white sandy beaches and sparkling waters which beckons all and sundry to snorkel, scuba dive, wind-surf, sail and even reel in a fish or two. Johor's five national parks are a wonderful representation of the sheer bio-diversity that is the state's natural heritage : botanical and wildlife paradise of Endau Rompin, the mangrove island of Kukup, the "mother of all dead ends" wetland of Tanjung Piai, the mysterious and legendary Gunung Ledang, and the heavenly Mersing islands. Indeed there is so much more to Johor than meets the eye. Words by Ariel Chew© © 2002 - 2008 TourismJohor.com | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Getting to Johor
By Road
By Rail
By Air
By Sea
By Road
 | There are several ways to enter Johor by road. The main ones are: - Johor Causeway; 2nd link - North South Expressway - Federal Trunk Road (Route 1) - East Coast Trunk Road (Route 3) - West Coast Trunk Road Route 5) |
By Rail
 | The rail service is provided by Keretapi Tanah Melayu Berhad. To check the interstate train schedule, go to http://www.ktmb.com.my |
By Air
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By Sea
 | The following are the sea entry points into Johor. - Johor Bahru International Ferry Terminal (Johor Bahru district) - Pasir Gudang (Johor Bahru district) - Kukup (Pontian district) - Muar (Muar district) - Tanjung Belungkor (Kota Tinggi district) - Tanjung Pengelih (Kota Tinggi district) |
Sunday, August 3, 2008
MALAYSIAN ECONOMY TO BENEFIT FROM FTAS
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