Right Time To Take Malaysia To The Next Level, Says Economist

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 22 (Bernama) -- Malaysia has reached a point where certain right policies should be introduced in order to take the country to the next level, said Fung Global Institute (Hong Kong) president, Andrew Sheng Len Tao. He said Malaysia was geographically well-positioned at the centre of high-growth Asian markets and has attracted world attention due to the disappearance of Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 and flight MH17 that crashed in eastern Ukraine. "People are not only sympathetic but also begin to appreciate that Malaysia is starting to play an important role in world event despite being a relatively small nation. "Malaysia is at a 'sweet spot'. We are at the right place and time to place certain policy that can take us to the next level," he told reporters at Asian Institute of Finance Distinguished Steaker Series 2014 here Thursday. On Malaysia's gross domestic product which expanded by 6.4 per cent in the second quarter of 2014, he said the country benefitted from the export of palm oil and electronic sectors. He also praised Bank Negara Malaysia (central bank) for skillfully managing the right balance on interest rate issue and exchange rate stability. On talent management, Sheng said: "We must not denigrate talent in the country but must treasure them." He said Malaysia got a lot of quality talent, especially in the healthcare, financial and engineering industries. The institute is an independent think-tank based in Hong Kong that generates and disseminates business-relevant research on global issues. -- BERNAMA