Fulfilling a role ...

   Bernama is organizing the National GST Conference 2014 in order to fulfill its role in the dissemination of information about such an important subject.

Bernama general manager Datuk Yong Soo Heong said the conference is aimed at creating greater awareness of the goods and services tax (GST), a broad-based consumption tax, which will be implemented on April 1 next year.
The GST conference has been planned following the success of the National Economic Summit and Dialogue with the Prime Minister jointly-organised by Bernama and the Asian Strategy & Leadership Institute (Asli) in March.

Bernama being an agency under the Ministry of Communications and Multimedia feels that it should play a role in dissemination of information about the GST, he told a media briefing on the conference at Wisma Bernama today.

“We brainstorm among ourselves and decided to organize this conference.

“It’s not about sending our reporters to go and cover an event but we ourselves are organizing it.

“We are taking the bull by its horn, so to speak,”

“By having this conference and invite speakers, we want to dwell deeper into the subject and not just scratching on the surface,” he said.

The GST conference is jointly organized by Bernama and Tax Advisory and Management Services Sdn Bhd (TAMS) to be held at the DoubleTree by Hilton Kuala Lumpur Hotel on July 10 and 11.
"Among the issues to be deliberated at the conference is preparations that a company needs to undertake for the GST implementation,” said Datuk Yong.

Second Finance Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Husni Hanadzlah is scheduled to deliver the keynote address and open the conference.
Speakers at the conference include top officials from the Ministry of Finance, Royal Malaysian Customs Department, the private sector, as well as TAMS executive director Yong Poh Chye.
Yong said the conference would be most beneficial to a wide cross section of the business community, including developers, real estate agents, property buyers, hotels, theme park operators, manufacturing companies, bonded warehouses as well as free trade zones.
"Speakers will delve into the impact of the GST on a wide range of sectors and industries, including property, tourism, manufacturing, professional services and distributive trade," he added.
He said the conference is also crucial for vehicle owners, house owners, traders, sole proprietorships and partnerships, households, consumers, importers, retailers and wholesalers, as well as those involved in direct selling.
Themed, "Transforming Malaysia Into A GST-Compliant Economy", the conference is expected to attract more than 200 participants.