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The Star
2 days ago
- Business
- The Star
More targeted policies needed to beef up national food security, says AFPN
Dependence on imports is for some foods including vegetables and fruits. Malaysia still needs to import food commodities such as vegetables and fruits from temperate climates, This is because these commodities are not economical to produce in Malaysia because the price will be higher than imports in addition to the country's unfavorable weather factors and it is affected by the demand of the local market. . — MUHAMAD SHAHRIL ROSLI/The Star KUALA LUMPUR: Policies that are more focused and responsive need to be formulated to strengthen national food security, in light of concerns over rising food prices and the country's high dependence on global supply chains. Malaysia Productivity Corporation (MPC) through the Agro-Food Productivity Nexus (AFPN) said currently, Malaysia still relied heavily on food imports, including in the poultry farming industry. "For example, the Self-Sufficiency Level (SSL) for chicken dropped to 90.2 per cent in 2023 compared to 100.2 per cent in 2021, indicating growing reliance on external sources. "Although chickens are farmed locally, the import dependency for animal feed remains high, making the sector vulnerable to global shocks and exchange rate fluctuations,' AFPN said in a statement issued by MPC on Tuesday (July 1). AFPN also said that although Malaysia recorded an improvement in the World Competitiveness Ranking (WCR) 2025, the agro-food sector's performance indicators, such as price competitiveness, productivity and innovation, remain slow and lacklustre. AFPN stressed the need for proactive and contextual policy reforms. These include facilitating the entry of new farmers, supporting the expansion of existing farmers through easier land access, restructuring approval processes, reducing bureaucratic red tape and accelerating digital technology adoption in the agro-food sector. MPC director-general Datuk Zahid Ismail was quoted in the statement as saying that Malaysia must remove systemic barriers, open up space for innovation and create an ecosystem that enables farmers to grow and contribute meaningfully to national productivity. "Food security is not just about supply; it is closely tied to resilience and long-term competitiveness. Digital adoption is a key driver of agro-food productivity, but connectivity must be prioritised first,' he said. On June 17, the Investment, Trade and Industry Ministry (Miti) announced that Malaysia has risen 11 places in the WCR 2025, moving to 23rd place out of 69 economies, its best ranking since 2020.- Bernama
Daily Express
17-06-2025
- Business
- Daily Express
Malaysia advances 11 spots in World Competitiveness Ranking 2025
Published on: Tuesday, June 17, 2025 Published on: Tue, Jun 17, 2025 By: Bernama Text Size: MITI said the international trade sub-factor increased 11 places to sixth, as strong export growth in goods and services, diversified markets, and rising tourism receipts strengthened Malaysia's trade surplus. - Pic for illustration only. Kuala Lumpur: Malaysia has jumped 11 spots in the World Competitiveness Ranking (WCR) 2025 to 23rd place -- its best ranking since 2020 -- reflecting the progressive momentum in the country's economic recovery and reform agenda. The Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry (MITI) said the latest ranking, up from 34th last year, also reaffirmed the nation's trajectory towards becoming one of the world's top 12 most competitive economies by 2033 as targeted under the MADANI Economy framework. Advertisement 'Economic performance, government efficiency and business efficiency factors drove Malaysia's overall competitiveness performance,' it said in a statement today. Malaysia ranked fourth globally in economic performance, improving four spots from eighth place last year. Both government efficiency and business efficiency factors improved by eight positions. MITI said the international trade sub-factor increased 11 places to sixth, as strong export growth in goods and services, diversified markets, and rising tourism receipts strengthened Malaysia's trade surplus. The ministry also expressed confidence that with strong governance, continuous commitment from the federal and state governments and close cooperation with the private sector, Malaysia is on the right path to position itself among the world's 12 most competitive economies by 2033. Commenting on the WCR 2025 ranking, MITI Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz said the government's whole-of-government approach under the MADANI framework demonstrated its commitment to holistic structural reforms. 'Malaysia's move up the rankings by 11 positions to 23rd from 34th last year reflects how bureaucracy-related reforms are closely intertwined with facilitating robust investment and industrial growth, both critical for enhancing Malaysia's attractiveness as a preferred investment destination,' he said. MITI, through the National Competitiveness Committee (JKDSN) – co-chaired with Finance Minister II Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan – coordinates the strategic direction across ministries to enhance Malaysia's competitiveness. At the operational level, the Special Taskforce on Agency Reform (STAR), led by the Chief Secretary Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar, ensures effective implementation of competitiveness initiatives, including over 1,000 Reformasi Kerenah Birokrasi (RKB) projects aligned to the Public Service Reform Agenda (ARPA). The WCR is published annually by the Institute for Management Development based in Switzerland. It is a comprehensive report that evaluates countries based on their ability to create and maintain a business-friendly environment that fosters long-term prosperity. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
