DIRECT SELLING SECTOR TO CONTRIBUTE RM7.5 BLN TO ECONOMY THIS YEAR

KUALA LUMPUR, April 7 (Bernama) -- The Ministry of Domestic Trade,

Cooperatives and Consumerism expects the direct selling industry to contribute

RM7.5 billion this year and RM10 billion next year to the country''s economy.

Its minister, Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob, said the target for the

industry has been set at 15 per cent increment annually until 2012.

Ismail Sabri said this to Bernama after officiating the Direct Selling

Association of Malaysia Convention 2011, themed ''Direct Selling ... Beyond

Malaysia to Asia-Pacific'' here today.

Earlier, in his speech, Ismail Sabri said direct selling was one of the main

contributors to the economy and the government anticipated an exciting and

optimistic future for the industry in Malaysia.

He said his ministry would introduce the National Code of Ethics for Direct

Selling Industry soon.

"This code will provide guidance on how to conduct an ethical direct selling

business as well as better understanding and protection for consumers, direct

sellers and Malaysian direct selling companies.

For the long term, he said, the ministry, together with members of the

industry, has concluded the first brainstorming session to formulate the

Blueprint for the Direct Selling Industry.

"This blueprint, which will be unveiled by year-end, will provide the

direction and way forward for the industry to positively grow and eventually

self-regulate itself," he said. -- BERNAMA

AMY THS