THREE ECONOMIC CONCEPTS TO PROPEL M'SIA

KUALA LUMPUR, March 28 (Bernama) -- The United Malays National Organization (Umno) president Najib Razak has outlined three economic concepts in an effort to lay a stronger foundation for the country in facing the faltering economy.

The Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister said the concepts -- high
value, innovation based economy, and productivity and creativity -- would propel
the economy to greater heights.

"Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi has always stressed the
importance of adding value, but I feel that adding value should be matched with
high value economy," he said in his winding-up speech at the Umno general
assembly at the Putra World Trade Centre here Saturday.

He said among the high value economy which could be taken up by
entrepreneurs were the lucrative bird nest, seaweed and ornamental fish
enterprises.

Najib said the bird nest enterprise could be carried out on idle land
especially in the east coast of the peninsular while the seaweed harvest could
be exported to Japan and other countries.


The Deputy Prime Minister said a successful local ornamental fish company
was listed in Malaysia's Exchange (Bursa Malaysia).

On the innovation based economy, he said this was the second most advanced
economy after the knowledge based economy.

Effort must be garnered to ensure that the people could capitalise on
the innovation based economy including by introducing it in school, he added.

Touching on issues raised during debate on the motion on economy, he said
directors of government-linked companies were appointed based on their ability
and whether they would add value to the companies.

In line with Umno's pledge to improve the economic standing of the Malays,
he said the government would be listing more Malay companies when the economy
recovered.