KUALA LUMPUR: Domestic trade and cost of living minister Armizan Mohd Ali says concerns over the influx of imported goods, including those sold through online platforms, will form part of the Cabinet committee’s deliberations as it formulates strategies to strengthen the use and purchase of local products.
Armizan said the issue had been raised by local businesses and would be among the matters considered by the committee as it seeks to address challenges facing domestic industries.
“One of the issues raised by local entrepreneurs is the influx of foreign products, including those sold through online platforms.
“That is also one of the committee’s terms of reference. We are looking at all aspects so that we can address the issues and drive economic growth based on a strong domestic economy while increasing the income of our local industries and entrepreneurs,” he told reporters after the Fashion Forward Batik Malaysia showcase at Kuala Lumpur Fashion Week here today.
Armizan said ministries and agencies would gather feedback from stakeholders before developing strategies under the committee.
He said the relevant ministries and agencies would compile proposals and feedback from their respective industries before submitting them to the committee to ensure its policies reflect stakeholders’ needs rather than being formulated solely by the government.
The minister also said the committee was still being operationalised, with ministries currently refining their respective inputs before it begins work in full.
The special Cabinet committee, chaired by deputy prime minister Fadillah Yusof, was established to coordinate efforts across ministries and agencies to strengthen the use and purchase of local products, reduce dependence on imports and support local entrepreneurs.
The Cabinet approved its establishment at a meeting on July 15.
