KUALA LUMPUR: The International Trade and Industry Ministry (MITI) has identified additional economic sectors that are allowed to operate in stages during the Movement Control Order (MCO) period, which has been extended to April 28.
In a statement today, it said the sectors that can operate on condition of strict adherence to health and safety guidelines are:
* Automotive industry (limited to exports of completely built-up vehicles, parts and components, as well as after-sales services such as maintenance).
* Machinery and equipment industry.
* Aerospace industry.
* Construction projects and services related to construction works.
* Science, professional and technical services, including research and development (services incidental to legal practice, services incidental to oil and gas, R&D activities related to Covid-19 and testing labs for the sectors allowed to operate).
* Social health services including registered traditional and complementary medicine (TCM) practitioners.
* Hardware shops, electrical and electronic shops and optometrists in the wholesale and retail industry.
* Barber shops (only for haircuts).
* Laundry services (only those offering full-service and does not include self-service laundrettes).
The construction projects and construction works-related services allowed are:
– Projects where the main contractors are G1–G2.
– Projects that have achieved physical progress of 90% and more.
– Tunnelling works.
– Maintenance works.
– Sloping works.
– Emergency works that are consequent to contractual obligations.
– Maintenance, cleaning and drying of stagnant water, spraying of pesticides at construction sites which prevent the breeding of Aedes mosquitoes and other pests.
– Other works that if left incomplete may result in danger.
– Building projects with 70 IBS score and more.
– Construction projects with accommodation facilities for workers, such as centralised quarters for workers or workers’ camp.
– Professional services related to the construction industry including architects, engineers, town planners, land surveyors, quantity surveyors, project managers, facility managers as well as other relevant services.
Senior Minister of International Trade and Industry Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali said in a statement that companies involved in the listed sectors can apply from April 13 to his ministry. Applications must be done online at www.miti.gov.my.
These companies must abide by the Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) as well as conditions set by other enforcement agencies.
Azmin said failure to comply will result in the immediate revocation of the operating permit and legal action taken on the offenders.
Azmin said his ministry had has reviewed the additional sectors that are allowed to operate based on importance in the global value chain and the country’s exports.
The additional economic sectors allowed also have high value-added multiplier effect, giving impact on the sustainability of SMEs in the economy, particularly in manufacturing and services, as well as the size of workforce involved.
Azmin said the decision was made following MITI’s engagement with various stakeholders, including business and industry associations, SMEs and other relevant ministries and agencies, including the Health Ministry and National Security Council.
The measure is in line with the Cabinet’s decision to establish a Special Cabinet Committee to Mitigate the Impact of COVID-19 on the Economy and Labour Market. The committee tabled several proposals to the Cabinet on April 6 and 8. – April 10, 2020
