Thursday, July 8, 2010

Finance ministry meets groups for Budget inputs

THE Ministry of Finance (MOF) has identified up to 10 focus groups in efforts to gather more input as part of its preparation for Budget 2011, to be tabled by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Najib Tun Razak in Parliament on October 15 2010.

Second Finance Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Husni Mohamad Hanadzlah said the ministry has so far completed discussions with three focus groups namely private investment, innovation and the services sector.

"We expect to conclude discussions with the other seven focus groups by the end of this month," he said, adding that MOF may also add more discussion groups in September if necessary.

The remaining seven discussion groups will focus on human capital for the new economy, enhancing quality of private and public service delivery and green technology for sustainable growth.

It will also be on income generation for the poor, addressing social issues through gender budgeting, inclusive development and strengthening small, medium and micro enterprises.

"These meetings provide a forum for a select group from the various industries associations, non-governmental organisations and professional bodies to provide views and suggestions to MOF," he said.

Ahmad Husni told this to reporters on the sidelines of the National Taxation Conference 2010 in Kuala Lumpur yesterday.

Also present were Inland Revenue Board chief executive officer Tan Sri Hasmah Abdullah and Chartered Tax Institute of Malaysia president Khoo Chin Guan.

It was earlier reported that several efforts are being placed to re-energise the private sector, including the deregulation of the Foreign Investment Committee guidelines, corporatisation, re-branding and the strengthening of Malaysian Industrial Development Authority.

Between 1990 and 1997, private investment was the key source of growth in Malaysia accounting for about 30 per cent of gross domestic product (GDP). Now it currently stands at about 10 per cent of GDP.

"We have to have further discussions to boost private investments," Ahmad Husni said.

He said although MOF held several meetings on the matter, the ministry needs further inputs from other groups within the industry as well.




By Azlan Abu Bakar and Nor Ain Mohamed Radhi
Business Times

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