Mini Budget

I welcome the announcement of the Second Stimulus Package (Mini Budget) at the Dewan Rakyat today. There is however talk that the Mini Budget could go as high as RM40 billion. The higher allocation will be most welcomed as it would give the economy the much needed boost. However, I feel that the injection of the extra capital to the economy should be accompanied by increased efforts to improve three main areas of the economy:

· The government should facilitate the employment/intake of more experts in various sectors. This can be done by attracting foreign experts in areas which Malaysians do not have the expertise as well as relooking at efforts to reenergize the “brain gain” policy with a view of getting more Malaysian professionals to come back.
· Expediting the issuance of business licenses by further liberalization and by removing conditions that may hinder the process ie. equity requirements and cumbersome application process.
· Encouraging the flourishing of entrepreneurship especially small and medium scale entrepreneurs through credit facilities and other incubator services.

I am confident that if such measures are adopted quickly and efficiently by the government, they will greatly help in ensuring the effectiveness of the second stimulus package.