Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak today met key industry players and business associations in a roundtable economic dialogue to gather feedback, inputs and ideas on the country's economic issues.
Najib, who is also Finance Minister, said he wanted to personally listen and take on board their views in order for the government to resolve the issues.
"We met and discussed current issues related to government policies, not only for the short-term but also in the long-term towards the National Transformation 2050 which had set a goal for Malaysia to become a top 20 country in the world by the year 2050," he told reporters after the dialogue.
The prime minister said the focus should be on the high cost of living and inflation, which was the general complaint among the people.
Despite such complaints, Najib pointed out that a recent survey revealed that Kuala Lumpur was the cheapest city in ASEAN.
He also pointed out that Malaysia's economic fundamentals were good, with Gross Domestic Product growth at 4.2 per cent last year.
"According to Bank Negara's 2016 Annual Report, released yesterday, we should be recording 4.3 per cent upwards, maybe just under five per cent this year.
"This is our expectation for this year, and 2018, (Malaysia's GDP) will be performing better, barring any unforeseen developments," he said.
On that note, Najib reminded industry players to improve productivity and household debts which currently stood at 89 per cent of GDP.
He said the country's productivity rate must be increased to four per cent, annually, from the current 2.3 per cent.
The Prime Minister also said he needed inputs to help small and medium enterprises become more competitive and develop Digital Malaysia.
Najib said he believed in the principles of human capital development; connectivity in a broad sense of infrastructure, Internet and cyber space; and inclusiveness.
"I believe no Malaysian must be left behind. That is the three principles I believe in and should be part and parcel of our policy as we move forward," he said.
Najib said the iconic Pan Borneo Highway, High-Speed Rail, East-Coast Rail Link and Bandar Malaysia projects were some of the game changers in Malaysia.
"In a few years, I believe the landscape will be different when we see these iconic projects implemented," he added. - BERNAMA
Bernama
Fri Mar 24 2017
Najib pointed out that a recent survey revealed that Kuala Lumpur was the cheapest city in ASEAN.
Dialog Anak Muda: Belanjawan 2025: Macam mana ok?
Rasionalisasi subsidi RON95, kadar baharu gaji minima dan pemerkasaan TVET antara tumpuan dalam pembentangan Belanjawan 2025. Analisis isu-isu ekonomi diteruskan dalam Dialog Anak Muda 8.30 malam ini.
AWANI Tonight: Belanjawan 2025: What are the hits and misses
Bait al-Amanah's Benedict Weerasena shares his thoughts on the hits and misses of Budget 2025, which sees an allocation of RM421 bil, a 3.3% increase from the previous year.
AWANI Tonight: Key highlights from Belanjawan 2025
Key highlights from Belanjawan 2025, which includes increased allocations for Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah (STR), tax reliefs for first home buyers, and cash aid for singles, among other reforms.
PDRM pastikan insentif Belanjawan 2025 dimanfaatkan sepenuhnya - KPN
PDRM akan memastikan semua perkara yang diumumkan dalam Belanjawan 2025 untuk pasukan keselamatan itu, akan dimanfaatkan sepenuhnya.
AWANI Tonight 18 Oct 2024
#AWANITonight with @_farhanasheikh
1. Belanjawan 2025: PM unveils record RM421 bil expenditure
#AWANIEnglish #AWANINews
1. Belanjawan 2025: PM unveils record RM421 bil expenditure
#AWANIEnglish #AWANINews
It's About YOUTH: Rethinking the workplace for the younger generation
Celine Ting (@celinetingkl) from OpenAcademy and Anas Hayyan (@anashayyan) from Asian Strategy & Leadership Institute (ASLI) discuss strategies for retaining and developing today's workforce, with a focus on meeting Gen Z's expectations while boosting productivity. #ItsAboutYOUth
345,000 rakyat Palestin di Gaza berdepan krisis kebuluran pada musim sejuk ini - PBB
Terdapat peningkatan ketara daripada 133,000 individu yang kini diklasifikasikan sebagai mengalami "krisis ketidakjaminan makanan."
Dua lelaki ditahan bantu siasatan penyeludupan warga Myanmar
Dua lelaki itu ditahan bagi membantu siasatan mengikut Seksyen 26J Akta Antipemerdagangan Orang dan Antipenyeludupan Migran 2007 (Akta 670).
Belanjawan 2025: Peruntukan RM5.8 bilion langkah penting perkukuh ATM - PAT
Peruntukan sebanyak RM5.8 bilion untuk perolehan aset strategik serta kerja penyelenggaraan dan pembaikan dilihat sebagai langkah penting dalam usaha memperkukuh Angkatan Tentera Malaysia (ATM).
Kes pukul: Dia rakyat beta, beri keadilan sekarang - Tengku Hassanal
Tengku Mahkota Pahang dalam kemas kini di Instagram Story bertitah, keadilan bukan sahaja perlu perlu dilaksanakan, tetapi ia juga mesti dilihat dilaksanakan.
RUU Antilompat Parti dapat kurangkan rasuah politik, kata Najib
RUU Antilompat Parti juga akan mengurangkan rasuah politik seperti tawaran jawatan atau wang ringgit.
Tajuddin dakwa Tok Mat belot untuk ganti Zahid
Datuk Seri Tajuddin Abdul Rahman mendedahkan terdapat perjumpaan antara pemimpin parti itu untuk menjatuhkan Zahid Hamidi.
Anwar perjelas mengapa lambat ulas isu permohonan tanah RM100 juta oleh Najib
Kata Anwar sebelum itu perkara berkenaan belum disahkan kepada pihaknya, malah belum diketahui secara jelas dan ada yang mengatakan ianya hanya khabar angin.
Najib sindir tindakan Xavier keluar PKR
Ia susulan peletakan jawatan Xavier sebagai Naib Presiden Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) dan pengumuman keluar parti itu berkuatkuasa serta-merta pada Sabtu.
Arul Kanda tegaskan versi bercanggah dalam laporan kewangan 1MDB dikeluarkan
Ali seterusnya berkata Arul Kanda membantah perkara yang diketengahkan dalam laporan audit 1MDB oleh Jabatan Audit Negara.
Pinjaman AS$6 bilion dimohon menerusi 1MDB, Aabar Investments - Saksi
Bekas pegawai khas kepada Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak memberitahu mahkamah bahawa pinjaman berjumlah AS$6 bilion akan dimohon menerusi usaha sama 1MDB dan Aabar.
Skandal Scorpene: Peguam penyiasat gesa kerjasama penuh Malaysia
Peguam warga Perancis, William Bourdon mahu kerjasama Malaysia-Perancis dipertingkat untuk rungkai skandal yang berlarutan lebih sepuluh tahun itu.
Nama Altantuya disebut dalam kontrak jualan Scorpene - Peguam
Apolline Cagnat mendakwa ia sedikit sebanyak memberi petunjuk bahawa penterjemah Mongolia itu mungkin terlibat dalam skandal pembelian kapal selam tersebut.
Najib, wawasan rakyat bukan bolot kekayaan untuk orang atasan - Anwar
Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim menangkis kritikan bekas Perdana Menteri Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak yang menyifatkan kerajaan pimpinan Pakatan Harapan tiada visi jelas.
Pengurusan kes Najib di Mahkamah KL
Bekas Perdana Menteri Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak tiba di Mahkamah Tinggi Kuala Lumpur kira-kira jam 2:45 petang bagi bersidang untuk pengurusan kes bagi pertuduhan yang dikenakan terhadapnya.