ID :
18173
Fri, 09/05/2008 - 19:24
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/18173
The shortlink copeid
PM TASKS PEMUDAH TO IMPROVE M'SIA'S GLOBAL COMPETITIVE RANKING
PUTRAJAYA, Sept 5 (Bernama) -- Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad
Badawi Friday tasked the Special Task Force to Facilitate Business (Pemudah) to push up Malaysia to the top 10 ranking in world competitiveness.
"I believe it's achievable," he told reporters after launching a
Business Licensing Electronic Support System or BLESS, a one-stop online portal
that allows simultaneous applications for licences, approvals and permits to
start a business in Malaysia.
BLESS is one of the initiatives by Pemudah with the Implementation
Coordination Unit in the the Prime Minister's Deparment to develop an Internet-
based system for business licence applications.
Abdullah said the momentum for change and improvements facilitated through
Pemudah was bearing fruit as Malaysia had edged up four notches from being
ranked 23rd in 2007 to 19th position this year in the competitiveness survey
undertaken by the Swiss-based Institute of Management Development.
Malaysia was also adjudged 25th out of 178 countries in the World Bank
Doing
Business Report 2008.
The prime minister however stressed it was not all about rankings.
"More important is the reality that a ranking is meant to represent. Being
in the top 10 is important insofar it is translated into improved servicse to
the man-on-the-street and the business community.
"Unless they are satisfied that service is provided in a timely, efficient
and friendly manner, the rankings will mean little," said Abdullah who is also
Finance Minister.
In this regard, Abdullah hoped Pemudah would continue to press for
improvements the people can experience and benefit from.
"By doing so, rankings and recognition will naturally follow," he
said.
Abdullah said he looked forward to more improvements and creative solutions
from Pemudah not only to enhance the ease of doing business but also improving
Malaysians' quality of life.
"I've no doubt more will follow for other areas," he said.
Earlier, in launching the four-phase BLESS, Abdullah said it would
fast-track business approvals and further improve Malaysia's stature as a
business-friendly destination.
The first phase, which begins immediately, will be limited to the Klang
Valley, catering for the manufacturing sector only while the hotel and
construction sectors are slated to follow by year-end.
The second phase, to start in July next year, will cover all the other
sectors while the third and final phases will see BLESS being rolled out
nationwide from mid-2010 through 2012.
In moving online, BLESS aims to increase speed, transparency and
predictability of starting businesses in Malaysia.
To start a business in the manufacturing, construction and hotel sectors
entailed more than 82 licences, approvals and permits, Abdullah said.
"Thus, the challenge is to make the processes simpler and faster for
applicants," said the prime minister who was earlier briefed by Pemudah on a
host of improvements made since its inception in February 2007.
Beyond Pemudah, Abdullah said the private sector would answer calls for
improvements.
"Private sector institutions such as banks, legal services and other
service
providers are important components of the business environment through the
services they provide," he said.
He noted that the websites of PEMUDAH and the Public Complaints Bureau
frequently received complaints not only on government agencies but also about
companies.
"Therefore, just as there are demands for improvements in the public
service
delivery, we must also ensure the private sector upgrades its service
delivery.
"National competitiveness is the result of both sectors working optimally,"
he added.
Badawi Friday tasked the Special Task Force to Facilitate Business (Pemudah) to push up Malaysia to the top 10 ranking in world competitiveness.
"I believe it's achievable," he told reporters after launching a
Business Licensing Electronic Support System or BLESS, a one-stop online portal
that allows simultaneous applications for licences, approvals and permits to
start a business in Malaysia.
BLESS is one of the initiatives by Pemudah with the Implementation
Coordination Unit in the the Prime Minister's Deparment to develop an Internet-
based system for business licence applications.
Abdullah said the momentum for change and improvements facilitated through
Pemudah was bearing fruit as Malaysia had edged up four notches from being
ranked 23rd in 2007 to 19th position this year in the competitiveness survey
undertaken by the Swiss-based Institute of Management Development.
Malaysia was also adjudged 25th out of 178 countries in the World Bank
Doing
Business Report 2008.
The prime minister however stressed it was not all about rankings.
"More important is the reality that a ranking is meant to represent. Being
in the top 10 is important insofar it is translated into improved servicse to
the man-on-the-street and the business community.
"Unless they are satisfied that service is provided in a timely, efficient
and friendly manner, the rankings will mean little," said Abdullah who is also
Finance Minister.
In this regard, Abdullah hoped Pemudah would continue to press for
improvements the people can experience and benefit from.
"By doing so, rankings and recognition will naturally follow," he
said.
Abdullah said he looked forward to more improvements and creative solutions
from Pemudah not only to enhance the ease of doing business but also improving
Malaysians' quality of life.
"I've no doubt more will follow for other areas," he said.
Earlier, in launching the four-phase BLESS, Abdullah said it would
fast-track business approvals and further improve Malaysia's stature as a
business-friendly destination.
The first phase, which begins immediately, will be limited to the Klang
Valley, catering for the manufacturing sector only while the hotel and
construction sectors are slated to follow by year-end.
The second phase, to start in July next year, will cover all the other
sectors while the third and final phases will see BLESS being rolled out
nationwide from mid-2010 through 2012.
In moving online, BLESS aims to increase speed, transparency and
predictability of starting businesses in Malaysia.
To start a business in the manufacturing, construction and hotel sectors
entailed more than 82 licences, approvals and permits, Abdullah said.
"Thus, the challenge is to make the processes simpler and faster for
applicants," said the prime minister who was earlier briefed by Pemudah on a
host of improvements made since its inception in February 2007.
Beyond Pemudah, Abdullah said the private sector would answer calls for
improvements.
"Private sector institutions such as banks, legal services and other
service
providers are important components of the business environment through the
services they provide," he said.
He noted that the websites of PEMUDAH and the Public Complaints Bureau
frequently received complaints not only on government agencies but also about
companies.
"Therefore, just as there are demands for improvements in the public
service
delivery, we must also ensure the private sector upgrades its service
delivery.
"National competitiveness is the result of both sectors working optimally,"
he added.
