(Kuala Lumpur, 3rd) MCA Vice President Datuk Liew Yat Chiang urges the government to promptly introduce a special two-year preferential support policy specifically to assist local SMEs exporting their products to the US market, as a buffer against short-term shocks and as a transitional plan guiding long-term market transformation.
He pointed out that as an important pillar of the national economy, local SMEs have contributed greatly to export-oriented industries. However, with the recent announcement by the US to impose import tariffs of up to 19% on products exported from our country, the pressure and challenges faced by our SMEs have become increasingly severe.
"If timely and effective support is lacking, this will directly affect the overall trade performance and employment stability of our country."
In response, Liew Yat Chiang—who is also part of the MCA Economic and SME Affairs Committee—issued a statement suggesting that the government should launch a special plan covering the following key measures:
1. Export tax rebate mechanism — Effectively reduces the export cost burden for businesses.
2. Low-interest financing and credit guarantees — Eases the cash flow pressure of SMEs.
3. New market development subsidies — Encourages enterprises to expand into new and emerging markets such as South America, ASEAN, Middle East, Africa, etc.
4. Support for technology transformation and brand development — Enhances the competitiveness of Malaysian products and reduces dependence on a single market.
“Long-term reliance on a single export market will make the country’s trade extremely vulnerable and highly susceptible to geopolitical, external policy, or global economic fluctuations. Now is a crucial time for Malaysia to reorganize its foreign trade strategy.”
He said that SMEs are not a burden to national development, but are the most dynamic economic cells. If the government can take decisive and forward-looking policies, not only will it stabilize business confidence, but it will also inject greater resilience and sustained growth momentum into our foreign trade system.
Liew Yat Chiang believes that this two-year support policy should be incorporated into the overall blueprint of our country's export strategy, forming a coherent link with medium and long-term industrial upgrading and export market diversification policies, ensuring that transformation work continues to progress.
Liew Yat Chiang also calls for the establishment of a “Special Task Force for Export Transformation” to propose specific implementation mechanisms and facilitate the realization of policies. For example, he suggested that the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry (MITI) establish a special export transformation task force, consisting of representatives from the government, chambers of commerce, and private enterprises, to ensure that aid is delivered accurately.
He pointed out that as an important pillar of the national economy, local SMEs have contributed greatly to export-oriented industries. However, with the recent announcement by the US to impose import tariffs of up to 19% on products exported from our country, the pressure and challenges faced by our SMEs have become increasingly severe.
"If timely and effective support is lacking, this will directly affect the overall trade performance and employment stability of our country."
In response, Liew Yat Chiang—who is also part of the MCA Economic and SME Affairs Committee—issued a statement suggesting that the government should launch a special plan covering the following key measures:
1. Export tax rebate mechanism — Effectively reduces the export cost burden for businesses.
2. Low-interest financing and credit guarantees — Eases the cash flow pressure of SMEs.
3. New market development subsidies — Encourages enterprises to expand into new and emerging markets such as South America, ASEAN, Middle East, Africa, etc.
4. Support for technology transformation and brand development — Enhances the competitiveness of Malaysian products and reduces dependence on a single market.
“Long-term reliance on a single export market will make the country’s trade extremely vulnerable and highly susceptible to geopolitical, external policy, or global economic fluctuations. Now is a crucial time for Malaysia to reorganize its foreign trade strategy.”
He said that SMEs are not a burden to national development, but are the most dynamic economic cells. If the government can take decisive and forward-looking policies, not only will it stabilize business confidence, but it will also inject greater resilience and sustained growth momentum into our foreign trade system.
Liew Yat Chiang believes that this two-year support policy should be incorporated into the overall blueprint of our country's export strategy, forming a coherent link with medium and long-term industrial upgrading and export market diversification policies, ensuring that transformation work continues to progress.
Liew Yat Chiang also calls for the establishment of a “Special Task Force for Export Transformation” to propose specific implementation mechanisms and facilitate the realization of policies. For example, he suggested that the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry (MITI) establish a special export transformation task force, consisting of representatives from the government, chambers of commerce, and private enterprises, to ensure that aid is delivered accurately.