Image via Wikipedia Dear Malaysian Prime Minister,My next wish for 2011 budget is for the government to allocate more for agriculture and aquaculture, and its associated activities. I remember very well back in 2008, the world faced food shortage, unbelievable ! Malaysia has been putting so much focus manufacturing sector, and totally neglecting or giving little consideration to agriculture and aquaculture, which was once the back-bone of our country development. Now, it is over, but once shall not forget the expensive experiences and pain that we had to endure the last time. As such, we shall re-charge the industry and make the industry more sexy than ever. Over the years, I have seen lots of effort by the government, but as a Malaysian I would like to see more and expedite and accelerate the implementation of the strategies.
The industry, shall focus leverage on the latest technology and shall have economies of scales to compete with others, even with our neighbors Thailand and Indonesia. I do not see reasons for us not to produce enough for our country. When the other two countries, are very much labor intensive, we shall do it capital intensive and research base agriculture industry. We have MARDI to lead the research, Biotech Corp to market the result of the research and FAMA to market the final products [ flower, fishes, vegetables, fruits etc].
Encourage local companies to have Joint Venture with established companies from Holland, Japan, Europe not only to learn from them, but to leverage on the goodwill and networking that those companies have. Give them incentives, through tax incentives. While they receive tax incentive over a period of time, subject those companies to "zakat" so the government will not losing the revenue at all. In the end, zakat is just 5 % and 10 % depending on what type agriculture business the company operates.
The value proposition of this, is to promote this agriculture business as part of tourism product and package, giving people from all over the world to experience, truly Malaysian experience under the sky and sun of this wonderful country, Malaysia Truly Asia. ! I know few hotels, cottage do have this concept, but my experiences so much more we can do.
Expand the concept of "Gharameen Bank " or " Amanah Ikhtiar " into wider application including natural entrepreneurs back in the remote areas in Malaysia, help them with the technical knowledge and help them to market their products globally. We have the Cooperative Concept or Organization, and those synergies between those organizations are very much needed to drive Malaysia's economy to a high income economy.
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