A United States Trade Representative evaluation has rated Malaysia in the good category for efforts against imitation goods production and distribution.

Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism Ministry secretary-general, Datuk Seri Alias Ahmad said this was based on an evaluation by an US Trade Representative.

"But this does not mean we will not act on complaints on the issue. We will continue to conduct random operations to nip such activities in the bud before they become serious," he told reporters after a Kelantan level National Consumer Month opening at a supermarket in Bukit Bunga here, Sunday.

International Trade and Industry Minister who is also Jeli MP, Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed officiated the event.

In another development, Alias said the ministry was targeting a 70 percent consumer awareness in the country this year on goods and services supplied compared to 51 percent last year.

"This means consumers in Malaysia are better in the awareness of their rights but it is not translated into action.

"The primary objective of the government is to create a community of consumers capable of driving the market and economy towards a developed nation," he said.

He said at the same time consumers should be smarter in making choices according to the quality and price of goods.

"Such consumers could help curb unethical traders while assisting to reduce dependence on the government," he said.

He said as a caring ministry, various efforts and initiatives have been made and improved to protect consumers while ensuring domestic traders and industries continued to expand and become more competitive.