CHANGE APPROACH TOWARDS INNOVATION TO REMAIN COMPETITIVE, PM NAJIB TELLS SME OPERATORS

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 11 (Bernama) -- Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak
Friday asked owners of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to change their
approach on innovation to remain competitive.

He said the SME community was not adopting technology as rapidly as they
should.

"You have to make technology adoption an integral part of your business
strategy," he said at the Chinese New Year Open House and briefing on the
Innovation Agency Act Malaysia organised by SMI Malaysia Friday.

Najib said technology was the platform that "will allow you to see much
farther than is possible with the naked eye."

In the business world, the SMEs have to inject technology into
their products and services, he said.

Technology-based innovation was one sure way of obtaining a sustainable
competitive edge, said Najib, who is also Finance Minister.

"We've to differentiate ourselves by adopting technologies and in doing so,
we've to cater to customers' needs. This will give us a competitive edge against
low-cost producer countries taking away your business," he added.