CORPORATE M'SIA NEED TO BOAST QUALITY PRODUCTS WITH INNOVATION

KUALA LUMPUR, May 5 (Bernama) -- Corporate Malaysia need to boast quality
products and services coupled with innovation and ingenuity in providing
market-sought products and solutions, so that they can compete with the very
best players in the world, said Prime Minister Najib Razak.

"Obviously we cannot dwell on our success when huge uncertainties continue
to plague the global marketplace.

"We have to continue to build on our achievements, deploy sound marketing
strategies, global branding initiatives while delivering current, top quality
products and services that will withstand global scrutiny and evaluation, which
are ever present in this digital era.

"We have to move Malaysia and Malaysian products and services up the value
chain so that not only Malaysia will be seen as a primary business and
investment destination, but that Malaysian companies too are seen a force to be
reckoned with in whatever field they entered," he said at the Malaysian
Institute of Directors (MID) Corporate Leaders' Banquet here Wednesday night.

To facilitate the growth of corporate Malaysia, Najib said the government
would keep on tweaking the system and also making adjustments where necessary
and timely.

"The government will listen, support and facilitate the corporate sector to
drive economic growth. With a strong partnership between the public and private
sector, through information sharing and outcome-focused deliberations, we can
shape a more competitive Malaysia together," he said.

He said a culture of innovation must also take hold across the board,
whether it is in traditional sectors such as agriculture and manufacturing or
new-age industries like information and communication technology, biotechnology,
nanotechnology and green technology.

The adoption of an innovative mindset that will provide the impetus for new
wealth creation, employment creation and societal advancement are not things one
can acquire in an instant, he said.

"It is a growth process that is sometimes slow and often painstaking. But we
have no choice but to try our best to make innovation a lifestyle ethos for our
people, and more importantly for our corporate citizens.

"Fortunately, we are able to work with some of the best minds in the country
who head corporations and conglomerates and who drive their organization forward
along the path of innovation and creativity," he said.

Overall, Najib said corporate Malaysia have been able to stay competitive,
resilient and dynamic.

"I believe we have achieved this because we have kept on tweaking our
processes and systems, enhancing our services and products as we continue to
race to be ahead of the pack in the globalization-free market juggernaut," he
said.

He said there are many examples of Malaysian successes which illustrate
clearly our ability to reach further than one can ever thought possible, through
innovation, creativity and sheer courage to explore new frontiers.

"Take for example Felda. What began as a government strategy in 1956 to give
land to the landless, as a means to eradicate poverty, is today not only the
world's most successful land resettlement scheme, but is also a global
enterprise with business interest in over 10 countries.

"Consider also Petronas, with its diverse operations across continents
earning the respect of global oil and gas players. There's also Malaysia
Airports which is known as among the top airport operators and developers from
Asia," he said.
-- BERNAMA