PETALING JAYA: Imported goods should be subject to the same certification, safety and tax requirements as Malaysian products to prevent local SMEs from being undercut in their own market, says the Small and Medium Enterprises Association (Samenta).
Samenta president William Ng said local SMEs were now competing on an unequal footing, particularly in fast fashion, apparel, footwear, plastics, household essentials and consumer electronics.
“A lot of imported goods enter the market at price points below local raw material costs, often bypassing local compliance costs, regulatory certifications and tax obligations that domestic SMEs are strictly required to meet,” he told FMT.
