The cabinet will soon receive the final proposal on the revised National Automotive Policy (NAP).

International Trade and Industry Minister Mustapa Mohamed said the final proposal was being drafted following the conclusion of negotiations and dialogues with all related parties.

“We’ve done our consultations. This time around, it was an extensive one where it included all branches from the car companies, to vendors, banks and the consumers.

“We will be presenting the papers to the cabinet soon,” he told reporters after launching a students forum in Putrajaya today.

Mustapa said the revised NAP would transform the local automotive landscape and allow the market to be more open and liberalised.

“The main two areas which the government is giving attention to in the NAP are ways to enhance competitiveness of local car makers and encourage investments in the energy-efficient vehicle segment.

“Even now our market is open, with some 20 percent of cars in Malaysia currently being completely-built-up cars.

“Through this NAP, it will open more because the government is looking to sign free trade agreements with countries like Japan, South Korea and Australia by 2015.

“The revision of the policy will reflect in better participation of the foreign stake holders,” Mustapa said.

- Bernama