Comments from KLIF 2010 Mr Ralph Kerle, Chief Executive Officer, The Creative Leadership Forum,  Australia I want to thank you personally for the wonderful experience I had at KLIF 2010. It was an event that sets a standard for innovation forums globally that YIM put together and you and your entire team should be extremely proud of the result. KLIF 2010 had world class presenters, offered many insights around innovation, was full of debate and discussion as any innovation forum must be and offered content that I am sure will have a profound effect on the way Malaysia will approach innovation going forward. Congratulations to everyone involved.

Malaysia is embarking upon a new phase of development towards realizing its aspiration of becoming a developed nation by 2020. And given the changing domestic and global economic landscape, initiatives to enhance national competitiveness and resilience must  be given priority.

One major thrust of the country’s Development Plan is to move the economy up the value chain. Inherent to this is the need to develop more innovation-driven enterprises.

The global economy to which we are greatly dependant and exposed becomes more volatile and unpredictable. Change is rapid with frequent market shifts and uncertainty dominates. Technologies proliferate, competitors multiply, products and services become obsolete rapidly. As the world becomes more competitive and advanced, success and prosperity increasingly go to those who can add value, to those who can continuously enhance proficiency in science, technology and innovation. 

Knowledge has become the main driver for economic growth. The changes that are taking place today demand that government and industries remain innovative and creative.
 
Malaysia and  participants to the KLIF 2011 have much to gain, including:

• Driving innovation & technology will lead to creating a high income nation.
   
• Innovation is promoted as the new national, regional and global development strategy.
   
• It will result in the establishment of networks among organizations and countries of different development levels; future collaboration and cooperation involving innovation for development (I4D) and giving Malaysians opportunities globally..
   
• The Forum will create avenues as well as opportunities for continual global dialogue and collaborations in "Innovation-for-Development" (I4D)
   
• Promotes a Globalised National Agenda Towards an Innovation Society, resulting in a High Income Advanced Economy for the nation.
   
• Provides a platform for high-level stakeholders (from the public, private and civil society sector) to share experiences, discuss and deliberate on issues and strategies on  Innovation-for-Development.
   
• It will further strengthen Malaysia as a global player and leader in Innovation-for-Development.
   
• It will pave the way for new-age business opportunities and investments.