GDP: Malaysia needs more mega projects, says UN

Former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad had previously projected an extremely optimistic GDP growth of 7% by 2020.

Michelle Gyles-McDonnough, the United Nations System's Operational Activities for Development in Malaysia Resident Coordinator said, the development of mega projects in Malaysia was important and would indirectly enhance labour productivity within the domestic workforce.

"Mega projects like the MRT development is one example for Malaysia, and with more innovation and new ideas planted in development projects, we can see the level of labour productivity increasing," she added.

Gyles-McDonnough told a media conference this here today after the launch of the post-2015 Development Agenda National Consultation in Kuala Lumpur.

She also said the Malaysian government had outlined in the 11th Malaysia Plan, the growth agenda towards boosting labour productivity.

Meanwhile, when asked about the productivity growth amongst women, she said to sustain it, enabling conditions not only locally but also in the global economic environment is needed.

"One way of increasing this productivity is to look at the policies and framework necessary to enable women to enter the workforce," she added.

Gyles-McDonnough pointed out that Malaysia has made very clear the intention to increase female participation in the labour force, including investing government resources in education.