By Biz times
TOURISTS are expected to spend half of their money shopping in Malaysia by 2010, which will give the country its much sought after international shopping heaven status.
Tourism Malaysia calculates that tourists will be spending up to RM30 billion by then to buy anything from apparel and bags to watches and souvenirs.
It plans to promote the country more aggressively to achieve this goal, said Rosly Selamat, general manager of its Shopping Malaysia Secretariat.
"We need to make Malaysia more visible, especially in countries where the people love to shop," he told Business Times in an interview, adding that Thais, Indonesians, Koreans, Indians and Middle Easterners were among those keen to shop.
He said this would help promote Malaysia as a duty-free shopping destination and attract more tourists.
"There are still some items like apparel and jewellery ... removal of duties will help boost sales."
Rosly pointed out that Singapore and Dubai have the advantage of being tax-free for tourists.
Malaysia decided in 1999 to brand itself as a shopping heaven, competing against cities like Singapore, Hong Kong and Dubai - the long-established shopping destinations in Asia.
The then Ministry of Culture, Arts and Tourism decided that three nationwide sales would be held annually - in March, August and December - from 2000.
The ministry also gave itself four years, from January 2000 to December 2003, to become Asia's top shopping paradise.
However, eight years have passed and Malaysia has yet to catch up with Hong Kong, Dubai and Singapore as a shopping destination.
Tourism Malaysia has proposed the lifting of duties on more items as this will help promote Malaysia as a duty-free shopping destination
