The Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry (MITI) has called on local solar industry players to expand into alternative markets, particularly within ASEAN, to lessen reliance on the United States (US).
The US government has imposed tariffs on solar panel imports from four Southeast Asian nations, including Malaysia, prompting concerns over its impact on the country’s green energy sector.
MITI stated that it is actively involved, on behalf of the Malaysian government, in the US countervailing and anti-dumping investigation into the matter.
“MITI is committed to defending Malaysia’s solar industry against US trade remedy actions by refuting unfounded allegations and providing views and feedback based on stakeholder input,” the ministry said in an oral reply posted on Parliament’s official website last night.
The response was to a question from Ayer Hitam MP Datuk Seri Wee Ka Siong on MITI’s stance regarding the tariffs and its readiness to mitigate their impact.
MITI emphasised to the US government that Malaysia’s investment incentive programmes comply with the World Trade Organisation (WTO) Agreement on Subsidies and Countervailing Measures (WTO ASCM).
The ministry added that Malaysia’s solar industry has not benefited from the alleged programmes said to have harmed the US solar sector.
“This is to ensure that the cooperative relationship among ASEAN solar panel manufacturers strengthens the supply chain and collectively addresses these challenges.
“Encouraging investment in research and development related to green technology will also position Malaysia as a manufacturer of high-quality solar panels and green technology equipment, supporting its goal of becoming a regional green technology hub,” MITI added.
