KUANTAN, Nov 26 — Malaysia is targeting to be among the top 10 in the Ease of Doing Business list by 2020.

Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Ali Hamsa said in the Ease of Doing Business 2016 report issued by the World Bank, Malaysia remained in the to 20 group despite global economic uncertainties.

“Malaysia’s 18th ranking has put the country ahead of other economic forces like Switzerland (26), France (27), the Netherlands (28), Japan (34), China (84) and India (130).

“Malaysia targets to be in the top 10 by 2020 and it can be achieved if we show a new Civil Service image based on creativity and innovation.

“I am confident that the national competitive spirit will be stronger to achieve the target, making us the leader in the Southeast Asian region,” he said when closing the Publi Service Innovation Awards 2016 ceremony here today.

The text of his speech was read out by Public Service Department director-general Tan Sri Mohamad Zabidi Zainal.

Also present were PSD Deputy Director-General (Development) Datuk Jalil Marzuki, Pahang State Secretary Datuk Seri Muhammad Safian Ismail, and Modernisation and Manpower Planning Unit (MAMPU) Director-General Datuk Seri Zainal Rahim Seman.

He added that creativity and innovation could lead to changes in approach and more effective delivery by civil servants.

He said this was seen in the National Blue Ocean Strategy which was launched six years ago and had led to high quality and low-cost initiatives.

Meanwhile, Ali said the Civil Service innovation Awards ceremony which was formerly known as the Civil Service Innovative and Creative Group Convention could maintain the department’s lead in creativity and innovations.

He said it was important that civil servants adopt this approach of creativity and innovation to further improve the public delivery system. — Bernama