Develop or Die 1 of 6 - Asia's Growing Tigers - BBC Environmental Documentary, recorded 07.02.2010 Sustainable Development has become the mantra of the 21st Century. No other concept has had a profound impact on institutional decision-making; forcing governments to change policies and companies to re-think how they do business. First commissioned for the BBC this series is made up of two episodes filmed on location in India, China, Vietnam and Malaysia and the third programme an Outside Broadcast debate from Mumbai (Bombay). Episode 2 -- Asia's growing tigers In Vietnam we look at the country's burgeoning tourism industry, already coming under pressure not to develop unsustainably like its neighbour Thailand. We look at agriculture and in particular the multi-billion dollar palm oil business in Malaysia. The crop creates global controversy. Conservation versus economic development, using it for food or for fuel, pitting the livelihoods of indigenous people against the demands of consumers in the West, the crop finds itself at the nexus of all these conflicts and challenges. For more information, see http://www.fbcmedia.com/sub_inner.php?pid=58&sid;=19&level;=3 . This series looks at the challenges now facing Asia; how to develop their economies whilst at the same time handling the growing pressure - mainly from the developed world - to protect the environment, combat pollution and deal with climate change. A polished voice reminds passengers over the tannoy that central Kuala Lumpur is just 28 minutes away. Malaysians are justifiably proud of the high-speed rail link connecting their capital with its ultra-modern airport 30 miles south of the city. The line - part of a huge investment in the transport system over the past 15 years - enables jet-lagged tourists to curl up in their hotel beds in double-quick time. Just as importantly, it ensures that executives from the growing number of multinationals lured to Cyberjaya - Malaysia's new hi-tech city on the outskirts of KL - do not miss any important deadlines. Fourteen-year countdown Much of this development has taken place in the name of another deadline - one which has been the subject of public debate for 15 years and which policymakers dare not ignore. In 1991, Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad grandly set out a vision of Malaysia becoming a fully developed country by 2020. Despite industrialisation, the rural economy is still important Malaysia is now more than half way through this 30-year journey and Dr Mahathir's successor as prime minister, the unobtrusive but respected Mr Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, knows the clock is ticking. Unveiling the government's latest five-year economic blueprint earlier this year, Mr Abdullah said the 2020 goal was "challenging". He acknowledged that much had to be done if the country's dream of achieving advanced social and economic status was to become a reality. For this to happen, he said, the often stark economic inequalities which exist within Malaysia's diverse ethnic population of Malays, Chinese, Indians and other races had to be tackled. Racial imperative Malays have dominated the country's government and civil service since independence in 1957, but they lag well behind their Chinese counterparts in terms of average incomes and economic clout. Economic disparities have narrowed since 1991, as poverty has been substantially reduced and unemployment has stayed low. The government wants more Malays to own shares But the government knows many people have been left behind - and the fruits of strong growth must be spread more widely and opportunities increased if the country's famed racial harmony is to be maintained. Other worries include Malaysia's declining global competitiveness - it fell below neighbouring Thailand for the first time in a recent study - and the need to improve governance and public administration. Most pervasive, however, is a sense that while Malaysia has made huge strides economically since 1991, its people, in terms of their mindset and outlook, have struggled to keep pace. In the prime minister's own words, the country needs to "move away from the notion that it is a nation with first-class infrastructure but third-class mentality". GOVERNMENT OBJECTIVES End absolute poverty by 2010 Narrow Chinese-Malay income gap by 2020 Assist Malay entrepreneurs and widen share ownership Promote equal employment Produce high-value goods Develop world class universities For more Information, see http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/5020794.stm .

• published: 12 Feb 2011
• views: 17268