The Minister of Culture, Arts and Tourism, Dato' Paduka Abdul Kadir
Sheikh Fadzir said that Malaysia is all geared up to position itself as
one of the leading international shopping havens of choice.

In 2002, Malaysia garnered RM 5.13 billion worth of receipts from
shopping, which represents 20.6% of the total RM 25.8 billion tourist
expenditure. The encouraging figure provides confidence to Malaysia
to become a leading international shopping destination.

Since August 2000, the Ministry of Culture, Arts and Tourism
observes the spurt of between 150,000 to 200,000 more tourists
added to the average monthly figures during each Megasale carnival
on March, August, and December (barring periods of the Iraq War
and SARS), bearing testament that tourists do come for shopping in
Malaysia.

The increasing support from participating retailers numbering up to
8,282 during the December 2003 Megasale carnival (compared to
2,783 when the Megasale first started in August 2000) also provides
great leverage for Malaysia to be one of the leading shopping haven.

To realise the said goal, a national committee was formed to
spearhead the initiative. The committee is led by the Ministry of
Culture, Arts and Tourism. The other ministries and agencies
involved are:
· Ministry of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs
· Ministry of International Trade and Industries
· Royal Customs Malaysia
· Ministry of Local Housing
· Malaysia Association of Tours & Travel Agents
· Malaysia Retailers Association
· Malaysian Retailers Chain Association
· Association of Shopping Complexes and Highrise
  Management
· State Exco
· State Tourism Action Council (MTPN)

Dato' Abdul Kadir also mentioned the possibility of Malaysia in
developing itself to become a global "emporium," not just promoting
Malaysian products, but also products from other countries.

For more information on Malaysia Mega Sale Carnival nationwide
activities, please contact the Shopping Secretariat at 0321630162/Fax: 2162 9439.

Issued by: Communications Division, Tourism Malaysia
Date: December 16, 2003
For further information, please contact
Juhan Kamaruddin at (603) 2693 5188
or email: juhan@tourism.gov.my