KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia could see greater economic expansion if it jumpstarts mega infrastructure projects post pandemic such as high speed rail, especially for the purpose of carrying goods that will give multiple effects across the supply chain.
According to entrepreneurship lecturer at Universiti Malaya's Faculty of Business and Accounting Assoc- Prof Aida Idris, such projects would be a boost for rural entrepreneurs to manufacture and market their products in the city and beyond.
"With the digital economy mushrooming since last year, I believe the government would look into catering the mega infrastructure projects more for carrying goods than passengers," she told Bernama.
She noted that the three key sectors which would lead the country's economic growth post pandemic were manufacturing, agriculture and services but regardless of these three sectors, none could function without the support of good infrastructure and utilities.
"My point is do not overlook the infrastructure and utilities sector which are the most fundamental requirements in most national economic recovery," she said, adding that some European countries were also adopting the strategy of rail freight transport to boost the economy.
Stressing further on the importance of good infrastructure projects, she said high speed rail projects should focus on achieving an equal development between rural and urban areas in line with aspirations of the Shared Prosperity Vision 2030.
She said the pandemic has brought in the new norm of working from home and digital economy in which almost all jobs were operational online and, as such, less travelling is required.
"There will be a reduced need for passenger movements but more on digital economy and online businesses whereby goods can be accessible through non-traditional markets," she said.
Recently, Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed said the government would review all construction projects nationwide, particularly those which have yet to kick off.
He said the Economic Planning Unit and the Ministry of Finance will review all projects, especially those that have not started yet but already have allocations.
On cash assistance through various packages introduced by the government including the National People's Well-being and Economic Recovery Package (PEMULIH), she said it would certainly boost the economy, depending on the transition of phases of the National Recovery Plan (PPN) that varies between states.
"Cash aid for those in phase one is helpful to cover basic expenses but for those moved into phase two onwards, cash aid is important for the local economy because it increases the purchasing power of the people.
"People tend to spend more and there will be greater economic activities with higher demand. So, the cash aid for these groups of people in phase two and above will give a positive effect for the entire supply chain," she explained.
Touching on the upcoming Budget 2022, Aida believed that the government would emphasise boosting the digital economy and develop the sector further, in line with the purchasing patterns by consumers.
"There is a need for a lot of resources to develop that area, including making sure people are equipped with the skills and knowledge to cater to the diverse needs of consumers not only in Malaysia but also worldwide," she said.
-- BERNAMA
Bernama
Tue Aug 10 2021
Aida Aris says with the digital economy mushrooming since last year, I believe the government would look into catering the mega infrastructure projects more for carrying goods than passengers. -BERNAMA
Industri minyak sawit disaran guna semula sisa untuk bahan api penerbangan mampan - Liew
Industri minyak sawit perlu mengkaji penggunaan semula sisa sebagai stok suapan penting untuk bahan api penerbangan mampan (SAF), di luar penggunaan tradisional minyak sawit.
SDG: UTP lahir pelajar berkemahiran, tinggi tanggungjawab sosial
UTP berhasrat mendidik pelajar bukan sahaja untuk mahir dalam aspek teknikal tetapi juga untuk menjadi warganegara yang bertanggungjawab.
MAA semak semula unjuran jualan kenderaan 2024 kepada 765,000 unit
Persatuan Automotif Malaysia (MAA) telah menyemak semula unjuran jualan kenderaan bermotor baharu bagi 2024 kepada 765,000 unit daripada anggaran sebelumnya sebanyak 740,000 unit.
RUU 355: Pindaan perlu untuk praktikaliti, keadilan
Apa sahaja pindaan terhadap akta itu perlu berjalan selari dengan persediaan mereka yang bertanggungjawab melaksanakannya.
Rasionalisasi RON95 dijangka beri impak lebih besar kepada PKS - SAMENTA
SAMENTA menjangkakan rasionalisasi RON95 akan memberi impak yang lebih besar kepada perusahaan kecil dan sederhana (PKS) berbanding pelarasan subsidi diesel.
Malaysia sasar pengeluaran 40 peratus sektor akuakultur menjelang 2030
Malaysia menyasarkan pengeluaran 40 peratus hasil sektor akuakultur menjelang 2030 dalam usaha membantu mengimbangi keperluan perikanan negara.
10 Berita Pilihan - (16 Julai 2024
Antara pelbagai berita dalam dan luar negara yang disiarkan di Astro AWANI, berikut adalah yang paling menjadi tumpuan sepanjang hari ini.
PAC beri tempoh tiga bulan kepada HRD Corp
Jawatankuasa Kira-kira Wang Negara (PAC) memberi tempoh tiga bulan kepada Perbadanan Pembangunan Sumber Manusia (HRD Corp) untuk mengemukakan laporan tindakan susulan terhadap syor jawatankuasa itu.
Kylian Mbappe tandatangan kontrak dengan Real Madrid
Bintang bola sepak Perancis Kylian Mbappe menandatangani kontrak selama lima tahun dengan kelab Sepanyol Real Madrid pada Selasa.
Pelepasan ketujuh air sisa nuklear Fukushima ke laut selesai
Jepun telah menyelesaikan pusingan ketujuh pelepasan air sisa radioaktif yang dirawat dari loji kuasa nuklear Fukushima Daiichi ke Lautan Pasifik pada Selasa.
"Saya sudah pencen" - Tok Pa sahkan tidak bertanding
Mustapa mengesahkan beliau tidak akan bertanding dalam mana-mana pilihan raya kerana memutuskan untuk 'pencen' daripada politik.
Mustapa Mohamed terima anugerah daripada kerajaan Jepun
Mustapa dianugerahi Grand Cordon of the Order of the Rising Sun daripada Kerajaan Jepun atas sumbangan beliau dalam hubungan Jepun-Malaysia.
Mustapa Mohamed dianugerah Ijazah Doktor Kehormat AeU
Bekas Menteri di Jabatan Perdana Menteri (Ekonomi) Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed dianugerahkan Ijazah Doktor Kehormat oleh Asia e University (AeU).
2.1 juta pekerja asing di Malaysia sehingga Jun tahun ini - Mustapa
Jabatan Perangkaan Malaysia (DOSM) merekodkan 2.1 juta warga asing yang bekerja dalam pelbagai bidang, berada di Malaysia setakat Jun tahun ini.
Warga asing: Bilangan menurun berbanding 2020
Jabatan Perangkaan Malaysia (DOSM) merekodkan bilangan warganegara asing yang berada di Malaysia berkurangan daripada 2.7 juta orang pada 2020 kepada 2.4 juta tahun ini.
Malaysia mampu tawar banyak perkara berkaitan ekonomi halal, bidang lain dalam dunia Islam - Mustapa
Malaysia sebagai sebuah negara terkemuka dalam dunia Islam, mampu menawarkan banyak perkara terutama yang membabitkan amalan terbaik, perdagangan dan inovasi.
Jumlah penganggur turun, kadar pengangguran kekal 3.7 peratus
Kedudukan pasaran buruh pada bulan Ogos 2022 kekal stabil berikutan prestasi ekonomi yang semakin baik dan memberangsangkan.
Sektor pelancongan perlu dipertingkatkan, perkukuh ekonomi negara - Mustapa
Peruntukan RM200 juta menerusi Bajet 2023 bagi tujuan pemulihan sektor pelancongan dilihat salah satu usaha memulihkan ekonomi dalam negara.
Kerajaan semak semula kategori kumpulan pendapatan - Mustapa
Kerajaan akan menyemak semula kategori kumpulan pendapatan berdasarkan hasil Survei Pendapatan, Perbelanjaan dan Kemudahan Asas tahun 2022.
Malaysia kekal sebagai destinasi pelaburan menarik - Mustapa
Malaysia kekal sebagai destinasi pelaburan yang menarik untuk pengembangan perniagaan global dan serantau, kata Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed.