GEORGE TOWN: There's something for everyone in the 2009 Budget, Second Finance Minister Tan Sri Nor Mohamed Yakcop said yesterday.

"We will provide a social safety net for those requiring assistance."

He earlier chaired a dialogue session with representatives from the Finance Ministry, Khazanah Nasional Berhad and 18 captains of industry.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi is expected to table the budget on Aug 29.

Nor Mohamed said the Federal Government would hold a series of dialogues with stakeholders from various sectors around the country as part of the budget drafting process.
"We will meet as many people as possible to get input from them. We hope to be able to address any issues that would crop up."

Nor Mohamed described yesterday's dialogue session as frank and relevant to all Malaysians.

He said the discussions centred on six main topics, namely human capital, infrastructure, government procedures, incentives and grants, priority to companies which produce their goods locally and opportunities for local industries to expand internationally.

On the lack of quality human capital, he said there was a need to look for a mechanism to support the needs.

"We have asked the industries to suggest how we can increase the pool of quality human capital."

He said the government would further relax certain regulations and improve coverage of high-speed Internet connection.

"We also discussed incentives, grants and sponsorships that can be given to the small and medium-sized enterprises to help them grow."