A rapid transition process is experienced from the agricultural sector to the sectors other than agriculture as a result of the structural change that the economy goes through. The share of the agricultural sector in total employment decreased from 38 percent in 2001 to 28 percent in September 2006. It is expected that the transition from the agricultural sector to the sectors other than agriculture within the process of structural change in our country will continue in the coming years Additionally, high employment taxes observed in the sectoral structure of employment restricts the rise in employment on the one hand; and causes employment to shift to unregistered activities on the other. The increase in the unregistered employment prevents the increases in employment to be permanent and increases volatility. Working age population keeps growing due to the high rate of population growth in our country. The limited educational facilities to meet the labor power having the demanded qualifications vis-a-vis the increasing working age population and the lack of labor possessing the qualifications compatible with the structural change in the economy are the other problems detaining the possible improvements in the labor market. All these problems prevent the unemployment rates to fall in a speed parallel to the increase in employment. However, the problem of unemployment having social consequences besides economic ones renders the solution of this problem inevitable. Therefore, long-term supply-side policies should be put into effect in order to find a permanent solution to the problem of unemployment.

The financial inclusion mandate of the Bank is further reinforced by The Financial Sector Blueprint 2011–2020, which charts the future development of the Malaysian financial system. It details the Bank’s holistic approach toward achieving greater financial inclusion. An important evolution in the advancement of our financial inclusion strategies is the increasing focus on data and measurement. Success can only be celebrated if it is proven by visible developments that is felt on the ground. Hence, one of the cornerstone recommendations under the Financial Sector Blueprint is the development of a Financial Inclusion Index, a framework to measure accessibility to financial services as well as its  BIS central bankers’ speeches  1  usage and quality. Our performance on this agenda has therefore been measured, consistent with our drive for accountability and excellence. Further policy initiatives have included the introduction of agent banking which has enabled 99% of Malaysians today to enjoy convenient access to safe, reliable and affordable financial services. International efforts to enhance financial inclusion measurement Internationally, there is an emerging common understanding that measurement is an essential policy tool for implementation. In this regard, the Alliance for Financial Inclusion, a network of central banks and financial regulators from 96 countries, has provided an important platform in advancing the global agenda of financial inclusion measurement. With the Sasana Accord, which was agreed upon in 2013 during the Global Policy Forum held here in Sasana Kijang, AFI members underscored the importance of measuring the progress of financial inclusion using a common set of measurable indicators.