On January 10, 2025, the Faculty of Business Management at Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) Cawangan Melaka successfully hosted the ECO 261 Webinar under the theme “Toward High-Income Nation: Strategies in Malaysia and Indonesia.” The event was moderated by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Abdul Rahim Ridzuan and brought together leading experts to explore strategic frameworks for economic transformation in both countries.
The webinar featured distinguished panelists, including Prof. Dr. Amin Pujiati, S.E., M.Si., from the Faculty of Economics and Business, Universitas Negeri Semarang (UNNES), Indonesia, and Dr. Saizal Bin Pinjaman from the Faculty of Business, Economics, and Accountancy, Universiti Malaysia Sabah.
Prof. Dr. Pujiati provided a comprehensive overview of Indonesia’s aspirations to achieve high-income status by 2045. She emphasized the critical role of investment in human capital, innovation, and productivity, while drawing comparisons to South Korea’s successful development model. Her presentation underscored the need for adaptive policy reforms and long-term economic planning to accelerate inclusive growth.
Dr. Saizal offered Malaysia’s perspective, focusing on sustainable economic policies and strategic diversification across sectors to enhance national competitiveness. He stressed the importance of balanced development and resilience in the face of global economic uncertainties.
Both panelists underscored the value of regional cooperation among middle-income nations to address shared challenges such as income inequality, technological transformation, and integration into global value chains.
Held virtually from 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM, the webinar attracted more than 200 participants from academia, government institutions, and industry sectors. The interactive Q&A session sparked insightful dialogue on practical strategies for building resilient and inclusive economies in the region.
