ID :
15549
Mon, 08/11/2008 - 18:08
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/15549
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MANUFACTURING SECTOR URGENTLY NEEDS TO ADDRESS MAJOR MANPOWER ISSUES, SAYS
KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 11 (Bernama) -- The manufacturing sector urgently needs to address the major manpower issues, namely, availability of skilled workforce and heavy dependency on foreign workers, to maintain and sustain its competitiveness.
Minister of International Trade and Industry, Muhyiddin Yassin, said by
2010, it is forecast that the manufacturing sector would require some
3.6 million workforce.
"Given a substantial increase in the number of foreign workers in the
sector, from 307,167 in 2000 to 764,953 in 2008, the industries must seriously
consider modernising and automating their production processes.
"Increased automation will not only reduce dependency on foreign labour,
but will enable companies to enhance their productivity and value-added to meet
the demands of competition, and to integrate into the global supply chain," he
said at ministry's Annual Dialogue 2008 here Mondaytoday.
Muhyiddin said the government would consider the reduction in the number of
foreign workers in the manufacturing sector in stages.
"Studies will be conducted to determine the ceiling of such workers to be
employed by the industry at each stage until 2015," he said.
On the food processing industry, Muhyiddin said, the ministry was currently
weighing the proposal for automatic import duty exemption without conditions for
selected raw materials, for a temporary two-year period.
"This measure will help lessen the impact of global economic slowdown and
the increase in commodity prices on the competitiveness of Malaysia's food
products," he said.
On transport equipment industry, he said, the government would consider
special incentives to promote the production and sale of fuel-efficient and
hybrid vehicles in Malaysia.
"The National Automotive Policy is being reviewed to ensure the long-term
viability and competitiveness of the local motor vehicle industry," he
said.
Meanwhile, Muhyiddin urged the textiles and apparel industry to use the
latest technology to move up the value chain into special-purpose fabrics, such
as anti-bacteria, fire-resistant and functional fabrics.
-- BERNAMA
Minister of International Trade and Industry, Muhyiddin Yassin, said by
2010, it is forecast that the manufacturing sector would require some
3.6 million workforce.
"Given a substantial increase in the number of foreign workers in the
sector, from 307,167 in 2000 to 764,953 in 2008, the industries must seriously
consider modernising and automating their production processes.
"Increased automation will not only reduce dependency on foreign labour,
but will enable companies to enhance their productivity and value-added to meet
the demands of competition, and to integrate into the global supply chain," he
said at ministry's Annual Dialogue 2008 here Mondaytoday.
Muhyiddin said the government would consider the reduction in the number of
foreign workers in the manufacturing sector in stages.
"Studies will be conducted to determine the ceiling of such workers to be
employed by the industry at each stage until 2015," he said.
On the food processing industry, Muhyiddin said, the ministry was currently
weighing the proposal for automatic import duty exemption without conditions for
selected raw materials, for a temporary two-year period.
"This measure will help lessen the impact of global economic slowdown and
the increase in commodity prices on the competitiveness of Malaysia's food
products," he said.
On transport equipment industry, he said, the government would consider
special incentives to promote the production and sale of fuel-efficient and
hybrid vehicles in Malaysia.
"The National Automotive Policy is being reviewed to ensure the long-term
viability and competitiveness of the local motor vehicle industry," he
said.
Meanwhile, Muhyiddin urged the textiles and apparel industry to use the
latest technology to move up the value chain into special-purpose fabrics, such
as anti-bacteria, fire-resistant and functional fabrics.
-- BERNAMA
