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28. The Financial Sector Blueprint 2022-2026 follows five basic thrusts: the funding of Malaysia's transformation to a high-income country; improved financial inclusion; infrastructure and regulatory practices dedicated to better digital services while managing cybersecurity risks; climate risks to be integrated into the supervisory and prudential regulatory roles of the central bank to facilitate orderly transition to a greener economy; and Malaysia as a gateway for Islamic finance. (...)

1.1.   (...) Developments in Malaysia's competitiveness position in the world reflect the decline in labour productivity growth and, in particular, multifactor productivity growth (Table 1.1 and Section 1.2.1) – a key long-term determinant of international competitiveness and domestic living standards, but also weaknesses in several areas where reforms have been under way (Section 1.2.4).[4] (...)
[4] (...) In 2021, Malaysia ranked 25th among 64 economies (22nd among 63 economies in 2018) and 2nd in Asia in the International Institute for Management Development World Competitiveness Yearbook; this measurement takes into account indices relating to economic performance, government efficiency, business efficiency and infrastructure. (...) whereas its weaknesses (lowest rankings) included (...), energy intensity, broadband subscribers, and renewable energies. (...)

1.2.   (...) External/exogenous risks to the economy may involve, inter alia, (...) and natural disasters related to climate change.(...)

1.11.  (...) The 12th Malaysia Plan (12MP or Twelfth Plan) for 2021-25 aims for high-income status and a carbon-neutral economy; it provides a five-year road map, to boost labour productivity and transport infrastructure, accelerate innovation, and enhance the digital and green economies, while narrowing development disparities across regions and strengthening fiscal governance. (...)

2.8.   (...)The Twelfth Plan[The Twelfth Malaysia Plan, 2021 2025] is organized around three key themes (resetting the economy; strengthening security, well-being, and inclusivity; and advancing sustainability), four catalytic policy enablers (developing talent, accelerating innovation and technology adoption, enhancing connectivity and transport infrastructure, and improving public service), and 14 "game changers". The development priorities are aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

2.12.   (...) Malaysia welcomes the outcomes of the 12th Ministerial Conference towards the curbing of harmful fisheries subsidies(...)

2.14.   (...) At the request of Malaysia, the WTO established a dispute panel in July 2021 to examine EU measures affecting palm oil and oil palm crop-based biofuels. It has reserved its third-party rights in 17 recent cases, namely the(...)US – Safeguard Measures on PV Products (...)

2.33.   Although the stated purpose is not to create an FTA, the negotiations launched on 23 May 2022 to establish the IPEF are to address fair and resilient trade; supply chain resilience; clean energy, decarbonization, and infrastructure; and tax and anti-corruption. (...)

2.36.   (...) Malaysia has submitted its Timber Legality Guidance Documents to the APEC Experts Group on Illegal Logging and Associated Trade. These documents serve to promote trade in legally harvested forest products in the APEC region.

3.31.   Excise duty is charged on certain goods considered non-essential or harmful to health or the environment, including sugar-sweetened beverages, motor vehicles, liquor, cigarettes and tobacco, playing cards, and mahjong tiles. (...)