Forging competitiveness is one of the main concerns in the nation’s transformation towards a high income economy. For Malaysia to be a high income nation of US$15,000 – US$20,000 we must be able to compete regionally and globally. MPC has been monitoring Malaysia’s competitiveness performance as partner institutes with international ranking agencies such as the Institute for Management Development for the World Competitiveness Yearbook (WCY), and World Economic Forum for the Global Competitiveness Report (GCR) ,as well as linkages with the World Bank for the Doing Business report. In addition, we also monitor Malaysia’s performance in several other reports such as the Global Innovation Index, Index of Economic Freedom and the Human Development Report.  

The RTD held on 8 March 2011 in Petaling Jaya was organised to enhance understanding on competitiveness and obtain feedback from industry players and businesses on competitiveness issues. The RTD featured paper presentations from MPC on Malaysia’s performance in the WCY and GCR.  Speakers from key government agencies include En. Allauddin bin Haji Anuar from EPU and Mr. Parang Abai @ Thomas, MAMPU who were invited to present on “Economic Reform in Malaysia : Driving Towards a High Income Inclusive and Sustainable Economy” and “Government Initiatives to Enhance Competitiveness” respectively. The panel discussion was moderated by Pn. Lee Saw Hoon, Senior Director of Global Competitiveness Department, MPC. 

The RTD provided a macroeconomic snapshot of the Malaysian economy; highlighting on the various initiatives in place to transform our nation towards becoming a high income nation, inclusive and sustainable economy namely; 1 Malaysia, the New Economic Model (NEM), Government Transformation Plan (GTP), Economic Transformation Programme (ETP) and the 10th Malaysian Plan (10MP). On the prospects and implementation of the 10MP, the Government is ensuring rapid and effective delivery of the ETP through its prioritization of 85 initiatives.  With the current ETP governance structure taking place at all levels of Government as well as in the private sector and its focus on key engines of growth through the 12 New Key Economic Areas (NKEAs), we are optimistic to move from an economy that competes on cost and natural resources, to one driven by productivity and innovation. 
 

“… The marathon ~ need to run faster to catch-up with the advanced economies.”

The Government’s initiatives to enhance competitiveness which include the National Agenda encompassing 6 New Key Result Areas (NKRAs) ,12 NKEAs and Government’s initiatives through PEMUDAH in terms of efficiency in public service delivery and ease of doing business was also addressed. Various PEMUDAH’s improved initiatives had further accelerated Malaysia’s economic transformation  – Starting a Business; Dealing with Construction Permit, Registering Property; Immigration Matters and Employing Workers. Other initiatives include improved on-line Government services (myGovernment portal www.malaysia.gov.my with  online payment: myBayar; online information: myGovinfo, online forms:myForms and SMS services: mySMS) which have significantly reduced cycle time and cost of processing. The government is committed to carrying out a transformation programme as its main agenda based on approaches and philosophy of 1Malaysia - People First, Performance Now .

“...Our competitive nation status was not attained solely because of government efforts but the people also assumed an important role in being innovative to ensure remarkable improvement in government delivery.”

Mr. Allauddin Bin Haji Anuar, “Economic Reform in Malaysia” Mr. Parang Abai @ Thomas, “Government Initiatives to Enhance Competitiveness” Ms. Zainon Bakar, “Malaysia`s Competitiveness Performance: Issues and Challenges”