Prof Gupta: Capitalise on nation’s strength

 Never too late to start innovation-driven economics, say expert

KUANTAN: The Government’s think-tanks need to identify sectors that Malaysia has the edge in and to capitalise on these in its quest to be a developed nation.

Prof Anil K. Gupta, one of the world’s leading experts on strategy and globalisation, said innovation must then be applied on these sectors to achieve national prosperity and competitiveness.

Citing Silicon Valley in the United States, Bangalore in India, Singapore and Finland, Prof Gupta said the global economy was dominated by clusters consisting of interconnected companies and institutions in a particular field.

 

“Unless the diversities result in infighting among the people, innovation is a combination of diverse ideas to the country’s benefit,” he pointed out. PROF ANIL K. GUPTA

“An innovation cluster is never-ending, has no limit and will keep developing over the years, with the Government having a major role to play in ensuring sustainability,” he said after delivering a talk entitled “Sustainable Inno-vation Leadership: Learning and Sharing Best Practices for Building Effective Strategic Initiatives” at the Pahang Foundation Complex here yesterday.

“It is pertinent that the Govern-ment focus its resources on developing these niche economies through education, research and development and offering of tax incentives, for example.”

Prof Gupta was in the state at the invitation of Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Adnan Yaakob to open the Innovative Pahang – Driving State Excellence for assemblymen, top civil servants and captains of industry to expose them to best practices for human capital development and infrastructure excellence.

Prof Gupta said it was never too late to start innovation-driven economies although some neighbouring countries, including Singapore, were ahead in developing world-leading biotechnology hubs.

He said Malaysia’s diversity was an added advantage as its different peoples could contribute different ideas.

“Unless the diversities result in infighting among the people, innovation is a combination of diverse ideas to the country’s benefit,” he pointed out.

Adnan, describing the event as a rare and vital occasion, said Pahang was taking steps to spearhead change at every level to meet the global challenge.

He said Pahang was all for a fair and equal distribution of wealth and against monopoly of the eco-nomy by a select few.

”We will work towards realising Malaysia to be a high income nation and to look after the wellbeing of all people, regardless of race or religion,” he said.

“At the same time, we will manage our natural resources properly for the sake of future generations.”

Adnan stressed on the need to revamp the education system to offer courses tailored to the needs of the market, and to stamp out abuse of power and corruption among politicians and civil servants.