The upcoming Congress on the Future of Bumiputeras & the Nation (KBN 2018) on Sept 1 will help Putrajaya formulate the new Bumiputera Economic Empowerment Agenda.

Economic Affairs Minister Mohamed Azmin Ali said KBN 2018 will identify areas with potential for growth for the bumiputera community, while formulating strategic links with other groups to achieve economic goals.

"Apart from formulating a new policy to generate rapid economic growth, the congress will stress on positive values, morals and ethics while providing focus on education and human capital, strategy formulation and wealth generation.

"The government will prioritise the development of SMEs and improve activities (to help businesses) move up the value chain," he said in a statement today.

Azmin noted that the congress will need to formulate resolutions to help Putrajaya devise short, medium and long-term strategies for bumiputera empowerment, and the methods to achieve these goals.

"The federal government is confident that such efforts would inspire confidence in bumiputera (entrepreneurs) to lead the economy, and thereby ensuring prosperity and peace for all Malaysians," he said.

KBN 2018 will be held at the KLCC. It will be officiated by Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad, who will also present the keynote address.

According to Item 30 of the Pakatan Harapan manifesto, the coalition had pledged to "give particular attention" to the economic development of the Malay and bumiputera community.

However, the document repeatedly stressed that the coalition would assist all capable Malaysian entrepreneurs to help them move up the value chain and be competitive at the Asean level.

Harapan also promised to produce a comprehensive annual report on bumiputera equity holding, that would be tabled alongside the annual budget to serve as a benchmark on bumiputera economic goals.