Array
(
    [_edit_lock] => Array
        (
            [0] => 1693566257:30
        )

    [tdc_dirty_content] => Array
        (
            [0] => 1
        )

    [tdc_icon_fonts] => Array
        (
            [0] => a:0:{}
        )

    [_thumbnail_id] => Array
        (
            [0] => 109063
        )

    [_edit_last] => Array
        (
            [0] => 30
        )

    [_post_language] => Array
        (
            [0] => English
        )

    [_molongui_author] => Array
        (
            [0] => guest-97702
        )

    [_molongui_main_author] => Array
        (
            [0] => guest-97702
        )

    [td_post_theme_settings] => Array
        (
            [0] => a:1:{s:11:"td_subtitle";s:89:"Strategy includes increasing business income to create jobs, deputy finance minister adds";}
        )

    [_yoast_wpseo_primary_category] => Array
        (
            [0] => 599
        )

    [_yoast_wpseo_metadesc] => Array
        (
            [0] => Budget 2024, which will be tabled in October, will focus on empowering and strengthening the middle class and the small and medium enterprises, according to Deputy Finance Minister II Steven Sim Chee Keong.
        )

    [_yoast_wpseo_content_score] => Array
        (
            [0] => 30
        )

    [_yoast_wpseo_estimated-reading-time-minutes] => Array
        (
            [0] => 2
        )

    [_yoast_wpseo_wordproof_timestamp] => Array
        (
            [0] => 
        )

    [post_views_count_7_day_arr] => Array
        (
            [0] => a:7:{i:0;a:2:{s:4:"date";i:0;s:5:"count";i:0;}i:1;a:2:{s:4:"date";i:0;s:5:"count";i:0;}i:2;a:2:{s:4:"date";i:0;s:5:"count";i:0;}i:3;a:2:{s:4:"date";i:0;s:5:"count";i:0;}i:4;a:2:{s:4:"date";i:0;s:5:"count";i:0;}i:5;a:2:{s:4:"date";i:0;s:5:"count";i:0;}i:6;a:3:{s:4:"date";s:10:"1751782211";s:5:"count";i:3;s:14:"per_hour_count";a:2:{i:6;i:2;i:10;i:1;}}}
        )

    [post_view_7days_last_day] => Array
        (
            [0] => 6
        )

    [post_views_count_7_day_last_date] => Array
        (
            [0] => 1751782211
        )

    [post_views_count_7_day_total] => Array
        (
            [0] => 3
        )

    [post_views_count] => Array
        (
            [0] => 360
        )

    [post_views_last_24_hours] => Array
        (
            [0] => 3
        )

    [post_views_last_48_hours] => Array
        (
            [0] => 3
        )

)
Middle class, SME empowerment among focus of Budget 2024 | Scoop
Deputy Finance Minister II Steven Sim Chee Keon has said that Budget 2024 will focus on empowering and strengthening the middle class and small and medium enterprises. – Bernama pic, September 1, 2023
News

Middle class, SME empowerment among focus of Budget 2024

Strategy includes increasing business income to create jobs, deputy finance minister adds

Bernama
Updated
4:15 PM MYT

 

BUKIT MERTAJAM – Budget 2024, which will be tabled in October, will focus on empowering and strengthening the middle class and the small and medium enterprises (SMEs), according to Deputy Finance Minister II Steven Sim Chee Keong.

He said this is because the middle class group constituted the community that was the most affected during the pandemic.

“Hence, one of the key focuses in Budget 2024 is on empowering the middle class group and reducing their burden due to the rise in the cost of living. 

“The next move is to empower the SMEs in terms of increasing their business income as we know this sector can create employment opportunities as well as generate income for the people,” he told reporters after attending the Penang state Budget Tour here, today.

One of the strategies of the federal government is to place domestic direct investment (DDI) as among the key performance indicators to generate the country’s total investment, as previously there were many complaints from local entrepreneurs who felt they were treated as second class compared with foreign direct investments.

When asked about the luxury goods tax, Sim said the government would hold a dialogue session with stakeholders to discuss the details before making any further announcement.

“Details including threshold value of the luxury goods on which tax will be imposed will also be discussed. We will only make further announcements after this dialogue session,” he said.

Earlier in his speech at the event, Sim said Budget 2024 would support Malaysia in achieving its Madani Economy vision, namely to restore the nation’s dignity by restructuring the economy and improving the quality of life for all Malaysians. 

He said the government’s mission is to focus on economic growth, fiscal resilience, competitiveness, good governance, inclusive growth, jobs with meaningful salaries as well as equitable opportunities.

Penang is the third state in the tour series and the Finance Ministry will continue the tour to all states in Malaysia which is expected to end on September 22 to collate information on every sector for consideration in Budget 2024. – September 1, 2023

Topics

 

◉ Popular

RM100 fine for cyberbullying: an inadequate penalty? – Farah Solhi 

As Esha’s death triggers public outrage, AGC should explain why Shalini Periasamy was charged under Section 14 of the Minor Offences Act instead of acts carrying heavier punishments

Anwar says UAE trip successful as RM40.6 bil in investments secured

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has described his visit to the United Arab Emirates as fruitful, successfully securing investment commitments amounting to RM40.6 billion.

Ahmad Dusuki demands Fahmi’s apology for mosque talk

Independent preacher Ahmad Dusuki Abd Rani is unfazed by the letter of demand sent to him today by Communications and Digital Minister Fahmi Fadzil, saying that he is ready to face the matter head-on.

◉ Related

Copyright © 2023. All rights reserved.