PIONEER CERTIFICATES (Particulars)

Mr Ang Nam Piau asked the Minister for Finance (a) how many pioneer certificates have been granted since June 1959, up to a latest convenient date; (b) what is the total amount of the paid-up capital of the pioneer industries involved; and (c) how much of this capital is (i) from local investors, and (ii) from foreign investors and from what countries.

Mr Tang See Chim (for the Minister for Finance): Mr Speaker, Sir, the answers are:

(a) 327 pioneer certificates have been approved up to April 1968.

(b) approximately $229 million. In most cases, the land and/or factory buildings occupied by pioneer industries are leased from the Government. If they had to buy land and construct their own buildings, capital outlay would have been much more.

(c) of the $229 million, a sum of $114 million is from local investors and $115 million is foreign capital, the greater proportion of which comes from the U.S.A., Japan, Hong Kong. Malaysia, the United Kingdom and Canada. Capital has also come from Switzerland, Australia, Denmark, Sweden, Holland, Italy, Thailand, West Germany, New Zealand and the Philippines.

Inche Mohd. Ariff Bin Suradi (Kampong Kembangan): Mr Speaker, Sir, can the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Finance inform the House how many workers are employed by these pioneer industries?

Mr Speaker: Mr Tang, can you answer this question without notice?

Mr Tang See Chim: No, Sir,I am sure the hon. Member does not expect me to carry these figures in my head. If he will table this question, I shall be delighted to answer it.