He said the Economic Action Council (EAC), which met today, admitted that apart from facing challenges in creating highly-skilled job opportunities, the country was also facing competition from developed countries which offered higher wages to attract skilled talents.

He said this in a statement after chairing the meeting today.

Ismail said the government was committed to making Malaysia a high-income nation, driven by the adoption of new technologies, inventions and development of local technologies.

In addition, he said the government would also continue with efforts to develop future talents for inclusive and sustainable growth.

He said the EAC also agreed with the proposal by the science, technology and innovation ministry to find ways to put Malaysia in the top 20 of the Global Innovation Index.

This, he said, was in line with the government’s target under the 12th Malaysia Plan (12MP).

“The government is always making efforts to ensure the country is moving forward in line with the technological changes and meeting the current needs of the labour market,” he said.