M'SIA CONTINUES TO INTENSIFY PRODUCTIVITY, INNOVATION PROGRAMMES

KUALA LUMPUR, April 19 (Bernama) -- Malaysia will continue to intensify its
productivity and innovation programmes towards creation of high value-added
activities in the economy, says International Trade and Industry Minister
Mustapa Mohamed.

He said special emphasis will be given to productivity enablers specifically
focusing on skills development to facilitate industries to move up the value
chain, promoting the development of concentrated industrial clusters and
supporting ecosystem, increase target investment quality and increasingly
invest into the enablers of innovation.

"To contribute to the high-income target, we have to ensure that total
factor productivity (TFP) grow by 2.3 per cent per annum to contribute to a 4.6
per cent productivity growth per annum," he said at the 53rd Asian Productivity
Organisation (APO) Governing Body Meeting here Tuesday.

Mustapa said the ability to leverage on innovation as a key driver of growth
has become significantly important in enhancing productivity and
competitiveness.

He said Malaysian companies need to improve their productivity to remain
competitive in the global market.

At the event, five individuals, who have contributed significantly to
advancing the productivity movement in the Asia-Pacific region, received awards.

The awardees are Dr Tyzz-Jiun Duh (China), Rachmat Gobel (Indonesia),
Tsuneaki Taniguchi (Japan), Dr Dong-Kyu Choi (South Korea) and former
Philippines president Fidel Ramos.

APO, an inter-governmental organisation of 20-member economies, is the prime
mover in productivity-enhancing initiatives in the Asia-Pacific region.