21 PROPOSALS FOR NATIONAL CAR PROJECT
Interest received from local and foreign companies, says minister
THE International Trade and Industry Ministry has received 21 proposals to help develop the proposed third national car. Deputy International Trade and Industry Minister Dr Ong Kian Ming said the government would carefully evaluate the proposals.
“The proposals received are from local and foreign companies,” he said after launching the Business Excellence Chief Executive Officer Forum, here, yesterday.
Early this week, Ong invited German carmakers to help develop the project. The invitation are indirectly extended to giants such as Volkswagen AG, BMW AG and Mercedes-Benz, which have major assembling operations in Malaysia.
On the United Kingdom-based Dyson’s decision to set up a new electric-car manufacturing plant in Singapore, Ong said Malaysia would not be affected by it.
Instead, he said it would open up many opportunities for local companies to join Dyson’s supply chain.
Ong said the potential plant also would not affect Malaysia’s new national car project.
“Malaysians should not worry about Dyson’s decision to develop electric-car production facilities in Singapore.
“In fact, the supply chain and Dyson product assembly, as well as design centre will be in Johor. This will create many opportunities for Malaysian companies to join the value chain,” he said.
Ong said from 2014 to last year, Malaysia’s labour productivity had grown 3.5 per cent while employment rose 1.5 per cent.
He also called on enterprises in the country to cultivate quality culture and innovation through better understanding and appreciation of consumer demand.
Ong also yesterday witnessed the signing of a memorandum of understanding between Malaysia Productivity Corp and Sunway Construction Group Bhd to develop the Quality Assessment and Environmental Quality/5S Manual for the construction industry.
On another note, he said Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad will launch the Industry 4.0 Policy on October 31.