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PUTRAJAYA, July 15 (Bernama) — An increase in operations cost and difficulty employing foreign workers were among the main grouses put forward by Chinese Small and Medium Sized Industries (SMI) said Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Dr Wee Ka Siong, today.
Wee who is responsible for the development of Chinese business in the country said the problems of Chinese new villages, increase in electricity tariff, petrol, sugar and the minimum wages for foreign workers were also highlighted during the meeting.
Representatives from SMI also requested the need for a centralized waste water treatment plants at industrial sites rather than individual sites which can be very costly.
“Since there has been a rapid development in certain areas like Sungai Buloh, there is a need for a centralized waste water treatment plant,” he told reporters after meeting 36 SMI representatives (Chinese) at his office, today.
He said the SMI representatives also highlighted the need for foreign workers to meet the increasing demand for products, especially for the export market which is very competitive.
However, they (SMI) pledged to reduce their dependence on foreign workers over the long term, if there was incentives from the government.
Meanwhile, Wee said the briefing on Goods and Service Tax (GST) for SMI could be done according to sectors because many from the SMI do not understand the procedures involved.
He said a SME Corp survey revealed that 61 of the respondents among SMI (Chinese) did not fully understand the GST system. — BERNAMA
Source: Bernama
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