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KOTA KINABALU: The State Government has been urged to promote and encourage the consumption of Sabahan-made products and services to revive and strengthen small-and-medium enterprises (SMEs) in the State.
Making the call, FMM Sabah Chairman James Ha Haw Yew said the government can initiate a “Love Sabah, Buy Made-in-Sabah Products” campaign.
“The campaign will surely bring a multiplier effect towards reducing the unemployment and retrenchment rates in the State,” he said in a statement, Monday.
To this end, Ha made several proposals for the urgent consideration of the State Government.
“The government must protect local industries by boosting domestic consumption and government procurement and projects to buy or use made-in-Sabah products and services, and curb unnecessary imports.
“This will bring multiplier benefits to the State’s economy.
“The government should also tighten the importation of finished goods or products to the State.
“Priority must be given to local manufacturers to produce consumer products for local consumption or use.
“The government should regulate and control foreign contractors to not import and purchase building materials from overseas but prioritise the purchase of building materials from local manufacturers.
“This in turn will help create more job opportunities and at the same time reduce the flowing of money overseas.
“The State Government should give priority to local manufactured products and encourage collaboration with local architects, building engineers and building authority/local institutions to specify and approve quality local products,” he said.
An import tax, he said, should also be introduced for overseas building materials to protect the local manufacturers and generate additional revenue for the State.
“Similarly, impose a levy on Peninsular Malaysia products which will be an added income to the State.”
Aside from that, Ha said a special barcode and logo should be introduced for local Sabahan products and services.
“GS1 Malaysia Berhad, a subsidiary under FMM, can collaborate with the State Government and an online supply provider in the State to promote digitalisation and innovation of local Sabah products and services.
“GS1 Standards help to not only identify the products’ origin but ensure continuous electronic traceability through all the supply chain process.
“Thus, it is able to verify the correctness of the information quickly and easily at various identification points and streamline the entire data management process.
“The mutual co-operation will lead to better resource management and big cost savings,” he said.
Source: http://www.dailyexpress.com.my/news/154321/fmm-calls-for-buy-sabah-products-drive/