Intel對2008年財政預算案的回應

INTEL COMMENTS ON BUDGET 2008

Debjani Ghosh

Atul Bhargava

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, September 7, 2005 – Intel Malaysia welcomes the focus on education, R&D incentives and greater broadband penetration announced in the Malaysia Budget 2008. Key areas that Intel would like to comment on include:


Atul Bhargava, Managing Director Intel Malaysia, Assembly & Test said:


1. An R&D culture is bound to flourish in Malaysia with the spread of incentives in institutions of higher learning and the work place. Specifically Intel commends the Government on:

- The simplification of work permits and visas for skilled workers to boost the expansion of an R & D culture in Malaysia. Skilled knowledge workers will help improve the technical knowledge of Malaysians, encourage greater technology transfer and ease the high-tech expertise resource gap.

- The RM 12 billion allocated under Budget 2008 to promote R&D in institutions of higher learning. This will encourage the development of a larger pool of postgraduates to create a generation that can drive and accelerate the growth of a digital economy.

- The introduction of incentives to organizations and tax exemptions for employees to pursue higher education especially in new and high technology areas. This will nurture a lifelong culture of learning that is critically relevant to the future development of the nation.


2. The further reduction of corporate tax to 25% in 2009 will spur greater private investment by the corporate sector to drive the expansion of value-based manufacturing activities. This incentive will enhance the nation's competitive edge and encourage organisations like Intel to provide value-based services that are in the forefront of technology and innovation.


3. Intel welcomes the Government's encouragement for companies to place greater emphasis on corporate social responsibility (CSR) programs. Throughout Intel's 35 year history in Malaysia, CSR has always been a priority through our Intel® Innovation In Education programs and Intel® Volunteer Matching Grant Program.


Debjani Ghosh, Country Manager Sales & Marketing, Intel Malaysia said:


4. The Government's emphasis and commitment to further improve the quality of education as well as training of teachers will help teachers to seed 21st century skills and technology innovation. Intel encourages the Government to allocate a significant part of the RM30 billion for the Education Development Blueprint towards funding more resources for training teachers to promote project based learning, as well as adapting the curriculum and examination system to foster thinking and creativity.


5. The introduction of incentives to reduce infrastructure costs including the removal of import duty and sales tax exemptions on broadband equipment and consumer access devices will accelerate WiMAX deployment across the nation. The expansion of broadband deployment beyond urban areas will help drive greater PC penetration and narrow the digital divide. Intel hopes that these incentives will encourage the relevant agencies to prioritize the delivery of affordable and higher quality broadband services nationwide.


6. Intel welcomes the introduction of incentives that encourage the rakyat and high growth segments like SMEs to have every reason in the world to own a PC. Greater PC adoption especially in areas beyond the major cities will encourage the growth of local IT industry to support nationwide reach of PC-related products and services. Intel congratulates the Malaysian Government on the unveiling of an ICT friendly Budget 2008 that is bound to accelerate Malaysia's competitive edge in the global economy and spur the growth of a knowledge based economy.