Publication: NST
Date of publication: Jul 31, 2012
Section heading: Business Times
Page number: 004
Byline / Author: By Ooi Tee Ching
KUALA LUMPUR: THE 2013 Budget is not likely to
introduce the goods and services tax (GST), said Deputy Finance Minister Datuk
Donald Lim Siang Chai.
We're currently raising public awareness on the
importance of implementing GST. It would only be implemented when the public
has full understanding of it, said Lim.
Prime Minister and Finance Minister Datuk Seri
Najib Razak is scheduled to table the 2013 Budget in Parliament on September
28.
The GST Bill was tabled initially for reading in
Parliament in December 2009 but its second reading was postponed.
Critics of the GST proposal say the government
should first address revenue leakages and wastage before introducing new taxes
to boost its income.
Lim then went on to say tax incentive proposals
submitted by trade bodies, lobby groups and the public are being scrutinised by
his ministry.
Among priority areas of discussion are small and
medium enterprises, green technology, affordable housing and the urban
transformation plan, he told reporters after launching the Adamas Weddings
Franchise Concept here yesterday.
Also present was Adamas Weddings founder Dr Khoo
Kien Ling, who set up Malaysia's first and only wedding planning school
offering the Weddings Beautiful certification programme. Students pay a fee of
RM11,500 to undergo a four-month programme to become certified wedding
planners.
Since September 2011, the Ministry of Domestic
Trade, Co-operative and Consumerism has approved of Adamas issuing franchise
licences for wedding planning.
She explained that the Adamas franchise concept
outlet in Kota Damansara facilitates aspiring wedding planners to set up their
own business with a start-up package of only RM250,000.
We make it easy for investors to take up the
wedding planning business. Loan packages from the government are available for
those who do not have enough capital, she said.
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