MIRI: The waiver of duty fee, on items priced above RM200 tagged to almost 400 imported goods, starting Jan 1will make imported goods more affordable for Malaysians.
LAUNCH GIMMICK : Talip (second left) launching the state level M-YES at Bintang Megamall, witnessed by Johanif (left) and Antonio (partly hidden).
Assistant Minister of Tourism, Datuk Talip Zulpilip said this move will definitely give Malaysian retail industry a boost where it will attract a wider range of international retailers to invest in Malaysia.
“In doing (investing) so, it will add varieties and diversity in our retail industry,” he said at the launching of Malaysia Year End Sale (M-YES) at Bintang Megamall on Friday night.
He added it will facilitate lower and more competitive pricing of imported merchandise, giving local retailers the competitive edge over their neighbouring counterparts.
“It will be of interest to our shoppers that luxury items priced at over RM200 are already free of duty,” he pointed out.
According to him, the government is positioning the country as a duty free shopping destination in effort to develop Malaysia into a popular shopping haven.
Touching on Miri, he said the residents are lucky to be living in vibrant and thriving city despite undergoing several economic recessions.
“The purchasing power of people in Miri is very strong that even during the recession period, many businesses were still thriving,” he said adding this was one of the reasons why Miri was chosen for the launching of M-YES.
He disclosed that tour operators overseas especially in neighbouring countries were also selling packages specially designed for the promotion period.
“This year’s packages are being offered in Manila, Hong Kong, Brunei, Guangzhou, Sydney, Medan, Jeddah, Dubai, Bangkok, London and New Delhi,” he said.
This year, the tenth M-YES promotion commenced from Nov 20 and will end on Jan 2 next year.
For a thrilling 44 days, shoppers can expect to find streams of promotion and amazing discounts nationwide.
Also present at the launching ceremony of M-YES yesterday were Tourism Malaysia state director Ahmad Johanif Mohd Ali and Miri Resident Antonio Kahti Galis.