Saturday, October 19, 2013

Investment and Taxes

By Farha Anati Rizkin bt Chaharuddin
2013-121791
Topic : Ministry of Finance

The Malaysian economy is expected to strengthen further and projected to grow at a faster rate of 4.5% to 5.5% in 2013 supported by improving exports and strong domestic demand.

In the Economic Report 2012/2013 released by the Ministry of Finance (MoF), it said “the assumption was based on the global growth that will pick up especially during the second-half of 2013 (2H13). It was also premised upon the expectation of an improvement in the resolution of a debt crisis in the euro-area and stronger growth in the economies of Malaysia’s major trading partners”.


 Malaysia is a successful nation. In a short period, we have changed the face of the nation from being an agricultural and low income nation to a modern industrial upper middle income country. This success did not come easy. It was a result of hard work between the Government and the people who toiled together and held firmly to the principle of systematic planning and effective implementation. This is the blessing to a country with a responsible Government since independence. This is not a Government that makes empty promises but a responsible Government which always place the interest of the people above all and carries out policies for the benefit of the people and well-being of the nation. The government’s role in job creation is to convene people such as educators, labour, the not-for-profit sector and business to work together towards common goals and to encourage the right environment for businesses and for people to succeed. They, in turn, will take risks, make investments, create jobs and drive innovation. This approach is helping Malaysia’s economic recovery.

    

First, we will maintain Malaysia’s competitive business climate by keeping taxes at a low level. We will extend the accelerated capital cost allowance for machinery and equipment — providing assistance to manufacturers of $265 million over three years. We will provide small businesses with greater relief from the Employer Health Tax. By proposing to increase the amount of annual payroll that is exempt from the tax. The cost of this tax break for small business would be paid for by eliminating that same exemption altogether for larger corporations.

Second, we will continue to make investments in modern infrastructure because we know that growth in Malaysia’s economy is supported by the movement of goods and people. The Rural Transformation Programme (RTP) complements the national transformation initiatives. RTP will transform the rural areas to attract private investments, create employment and economic activities as well as provide opportunities for the younger generation to return and work in rural areas.

On private investment, Malaysia is expected to post a strong growth of 13.3% in 2013 (2012: 11.7%) attributed to the ongoing implementation of the Economic Transformation Programme projects. Each investment vehicles have their own advantages, as well as disadvantages. It varies based on individual preferences. The general rule of thumb is to not put all your eggs in one basket. Diversity is the key. Therefore, the best investment in Malaysia would be a portfolio of many different types of investment tools, which matches the priorities and risk profiles.

            

Reference
4.      Bank Negara Malaysia (2012), ‘Economic and Financial Developments in Malaysia in the Fourth Quarter of 2011’’, (Kuala Lumpur : Bank Negara Malaysia)
5.      Ministry of Finance, Malaysia (2013), ‘Economic Report, 2012/2013’’, (Kuala Lumpur : Ministry of Finance)
6. Ministry of Finance, Malaysia (2009), ‘Economic Report, 2008/2009’’, (Kuala Lumpur : Ministry of Finance)
7.      Redelet S. and Sachs, J.D, 1998, ‘The East Asian Financial Crisis: Diagnosis, Remedies, Prospects,’’ Brookings Paper, Vol 28, No 1, pp.1-74



1 comment:

  1. I agree with you that there is no new taxes that is applied to the public because those low income citizen can't afford to pay new taxes as it will cause them more troublesome.

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