Proton asks for more protection: Report<\/p>\n
Agence France-Presse, Kuala Lumpur<\/p>\n
Malaysia's national carmaker Proton has asked the government
\nfor 20 additional years of tariff protection, it was reported on
\nThursday.<\/p>\n
Proton chief executive Mahaleel Ariff made the request in a
\nletter to Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi last month, the
\nAsian Wall Street Journal said, citing industry sources.<\/p>\n
Mahaleel also requested immediate exemption from all import
\nduties and excise taxes, and asked for government grants for
\nresearch and development, the newspaper said, adding the
\ngovernment had not yet responded.<\/p>\n
Under the ASEAN Free Trade Area (AFTA) agreement aimed at
\nliberalizing the auto sector, tariffs on imported cars in
\nSoutheast Asia fell below five percent in January but Malaysia
\nhas obtained a reprieve for its auto industry until 2005.<\/p>\n
Nevertheless, the government proposed during the 2004 Budget
\nin September to impose excise duties on imported cars when the
\nimport duties on these vehicles are reduced from January 1, 2004.<\/p>\n
Critics said the move was aimed at evading AFTA and protecting
\nProton, which is already feeling the heat. Sales dropped 10
\npercent last year to 239,783 and further in the first half this
\nyear.<\/p>",
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