Over the years the Government has always considered ways to combine the top brainpower from the public and private sectors in exploring strategies to stimulate higher economic growth. We have had numerous initiatives carried out like this but never one on a level such as currently executed for the National Key Economic Area or NKEA labs. Then you can understand why I was extremely gratified that this effort is yielding promising results so far.

Comment (70)

In the current poll on my blogsite, I invite my readers to name their academic qualification achieved when entering the workforce (you can vote here): Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia or lower; Diploma; Undergraduate degree; and Postgraduate degree.

Early results suggest that most respondents possess an SPM or lower, with those holding an undergraduate degree emerging in second place. Although this sample is not completely representative of the population, it has somewhat mirrored by the Statistics Department findings, showing that 77 percent of the Malaysian working population (or 60 percent of the entire nation) entered the workforce with up to SPM qualifications or equivalent in 2007 (see NEAC's NEM for Malaysia report).

Comment (193)

UPDATE: You can also download a copy of the report by the National Economic Advisory Council on the New Economic Model.

Comment (163)

Late last month I had recorded my responses to a selected number of comments posted on my blog. I would like to share with you in the video below my response to a comment on the New Economic Model. Please continue to post your comments here and on Facebook; Insya-Allah I will read them and respond.

Comment (78)

We are fast approaching the end of a decade and the start of another.  Since 2000, we have seen highly innovative products emerge, such as the iPhone, BlackBerry, Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube, as well as witnessed the seemingly unstoppable rise of Google, changing the way we consume media, share information and communicate with one another.  The next decade will prove no less exciting.

Countries favouring innovation, such as Japan, Finland and the United States, develop more advanced economies as a result.  Innovation creates jobs and boosts national competitiveness. This is why we, too, must make a creative impact in a competitive global economy.  We must not allow ourselves to be left behind.

Comment (90)