PASIR SALAK – The implementation of targeted subsidies in the future, as considered by the government, will not affect foreign investments in the country, said Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Tengku Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz.
He said the implementation, if carried out, would not affect foreign investments because investors had invested for the long term.
Investors focus more on looking at the consistency of national policies before deciding to invest in this country, he said.
“For example, I mention the semiconductor sector… this sector started in the 1970s and it has been 50 years, and that is the focus for our investors to see how the country’s policies are, if they are consistent they will invest.
“In terms of costs, we are still low compared to other countries because most companies do not receive targeted subsidies. Therefore, even if the subsidies are withdrawn for large companies, they and also investors will compare us with other countries, and our country is still attractive in terms of costs,” he told a press conference after an ihya Ramadan and iftar event at Masjid Jamek Al Ansar, Felcra Changkat Lada near here, yesterday.
Tengku Zafrul said this when asked whether the implementation of targeted subsidies that was being considered by the government would affect foreign investments in Malaysia.
Earlier, he presented contributions to the asnaf group and prospective haj pilgrims at the event.
Meanwhile, regarding the Malaysia-Korea Free Trade Agreement, Tengku Zafrul said both parties would begin discussions at the officials’ level in May this year.
“We have just agreed to resume our negotiations because in 2019 the negotiations were suspended due to issues that we felt were not favourable to our side.
“In the discussions before we resume, the Korean side has agreed to consider and understand sensitive issues, especially in sectors we feel are important in the country, so we resume. There are no details yet, maybe after the May meeting I can provide an update,” he said.
On March 26, the Investment, Trade and Industry Ministry announced that Malaysia and South Korea had resumed the FTA, which is set to increase bilateral trade and investment between the two countries.
According to the ministry, both countries are also parties to the Asean-Korea FTA and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership agreement.
Apart from that, regarding the electric-vehicle (EV) charging stations in the country, Tengku Zafrul said his discussions with the relevant parties found that they were confident in building more charging stations due to high demand.
“I am trying to ensure that we can achieve the targets,” he said.
Tengku Zafrul had been reported saying earlier that his ministry would review the target of 10,000 EV charging stations operating in the country by 2025 as previously set. – April 1, 2024