KUALA LUMPUR: The government will implement geography-based industrial policies such as classifying activities and investments via regions in correlation with the advantages and level of development per region.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said this is also to reduce the development gap between more developed regions and states with the less developed ones.
"This will, for example, involve strengthening oil and gas downstream industries in Sabah and Terengganu or increasing value added electronic activities in Kulim and Bayan Lepas.
"The Klang Valley will continue to be developed to ensure it competitiveness among major cities in Asia. Focus will trained on improving the Klang Valley's livability and urban sustainability to serve as an Asean hub for major corporations.
"Part of Kuala Lumpur's development will include the rejuvenation of the Sultan Abdul Samad building and its surroundings in line with the Kuala Lumpur Creative and Cultural District Strategic Master Plan to capitalise on its heritage and create a modern tourism attraction," he said.
He was speaking at the launch of the Madani Economy: Empowering the People here today.
Anwar, who is also finance minister, said the government will continue to strengthen the development of Iskandar Malaysia in Johor cia the creation of a competitive special financial zone to draw foreign investment and knowledge workers to reside in Malaysia.
"Benefits will be offered to qualified companies and individuals, including special tax rate incentives, a 15 per cent tax rate for knowledge workers as well as immigration fast lane access to facilitate easy entry for specialised workers from abroad.
"The gender gap in the labour force must also be closed. We cannot deny that female participation in the labour force, at 55.5 per cent, is still low compared to men at 80.9 per cent.
"There has to be a holistic effort from a legal and monitoring aspect as well as support programmes to encourage mothers to return to work," he said.
Anwar said this will include addressing systemic issues such as unpaid labour and gender discrimination.
"One of the initiatives in the Care Economy will include providing affordable daycare centres which can help boost the entry of women in the workforce.
"The government will also simplify the registration process and expand the nationwide whitening programme of unregistered daycare centres and nurseries at a cost of RM10 million.
"More must be done to ensure that a higher female participation in the labour force. The aim is to have 60 per cent female participation in tandem with the regional economy," he said.