M'SIA NEEDS TO SHIFT GEAR TO REMAIN COMPETITIVE

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 10 (Bernama) -- Malaysia needs to shift gear into a more
innovation-driven country where companies compete via innovation, producing new
value-added goods using the most sophisticated production processes.

The Malaysian Productivity Council (MPC) reiterated the call made by the
World Economic Forum (WEF) after Malaysia slipped by three points to 24th
position in the Global Competitiveness Report released by WEF recently.

MPC said the government should undertake various measures to address the
issue.

It said the country's engagement with ranking agencies such as the World
Bank, the WEF and Institute for Management Development must be continuously
undertaken to share best practices of better performing economies.

In a statement here Thursday, MPC said the implementation of the national
key results area will ensure the achievement of the six thrusts of crime
reduction, transparency in government procurement, higher infrastructure
allocation, poverty eradication, pre-school education and public transportation.

On its part, MPC said it has put in place initiatives to address the social
and process aspects of innovation and is focusing on partnership and
collaboration on other aspects of technological innovation.

"Agencies such as MPC and others should continue to produce publications
such as guidebooks, newsletters and reference materials to create awareness for
the Malaysian public on the issues of Malaysia's competitiveness."

MPC added that it will continue to educate the Malaysian public
and private sectors on the different issues to ensure Malaysia's overall
competitiveness.
-- BERNAMA