KUALA LUMPUR, June 12 (Bernama) –- Budget 2013 will prepare the economy to
face challenges arising from the current situation in Europe, International
Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed said today.
He said next year''s budget would ensure the Malaysian economy would continue
to grow at a sustainable level.
Asked on what are the key sectors the budget would focus on, Mustapa said
small and medium enterprises, investments and trade are the core business.
"In Budget 2012, the government introduced various programmes to further
develop SMEs. I hope these programmes will be continued to help SMEs grow.
"We hope to introduce new programmes (in Budget 2013)," he told reporters
after a ceremony celebrating the retirement and outstanding Service Award of
staff of Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI).
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak will table Budget 2013 in
Parliament on Sept 28. Najib is also Finance Minister.
On exports, Mustapa said while there were ups and downs, the five to six
per cent growth projection for this year was still on track.
Malaysia''s exports contracted 0.1 per cent year-on-year due to falling
demand from key markets in the West, reflecting economic problems in the
euro-zone.
-- BERNAMA
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