Govt may announce revised NAP policy on Jan 15

The government is likely to announce the much anticipated revised National Automotive Policy (NAP) on Jan 15, 2014, Minister of International Trade and Industry, Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed said on Tuesday.

He said the policy is currently in the final stage of drafting.

"We hope the Cabinet can approve the policy by year-end. But that is not a good time to launch a major policy.

"So, we going to announce it probably in mid-January," he told reporters after delivering his keynote address at the 4th Kuala Lumpur International Automotive Conference on Tuesday.

He said this when asked about the progress of the NAP, and cited the auto industry as being a very important sector of the country's economy.

"Therefore, we want to ensure that whatever is done, is undertaken in a manner that promotes the development of the auto sector in Malaysia," he added.

On the NAP itself, Mustapa said the key focus is on the competitiveness of the sector as well as energy-efficient vehicles.

Meanwhile, Malaysian Automotive Association President Datuk Aishah said industry players were eagerly awaiting the official announcement on the NAP by the government, as it had been delayed for quite a while now.

She expects the revised NAP to include a long-term policy for the automotive industry and which could attract foreign investors to participate in it.