[{"bbox": [83, 105, 1145, 158], "category": "Text", "text": "subject to the formal confirmation of each respective partners' meaningful contribution as early as possible. In the event that the TEIs and/or these contributions do not materialise the EU action may continue outside a TEI framework."}, {"bbox": [83, 184, 1145, 372], "category": "Text", "text": "The action supports the EU strategic interests and priorities in Malaysia. The action is aligned with the 2030 Agenda and the SDGs, the Paris Agreement, the Addis Ababa Action Agenda, the Global Strategy for the European Union's Foreign and Security Policy, including the Indo-Pacific Strategy and the EU-ASEAN Plan of Action 2018-2022, the new European Consensus on development, the external dimension of the European Green Deal including its sustainable finance and green bond chapters, as well as the other main priorities of the European Commission, including Green Partnerships, Digitalisation, Sustainable Growth and Jobs, Migration and Mobility, Gender Equality (GAPIII), as well as Partnerships for Human Development, Peace and Governance."}, {"bbox": [100, 416, 339, 447], "category": "Section-header", "text": "## 2.2. Problem Analysis"}, {"bbox": [83, 487, 302, 513], "category": "Text", "text": "Short problem analysis:"}, {"bbox": [83, 539, 1145, 726], "category": "Text", "text": "Malaysia has successfully diversified its **economy** from one that was initially agriculture and commodity-based, to one that now plays host to robust manufacturing and service sectors, which have propelled the country to become a leading exporter of electrical appliances, parts, and components. Malaysia is one of the most open economies in the world with trade and investment being instrumental in employment creation and income growth, with about 40% of jobs in Malaysia linked to export activities. With an economy on an upward trajectory, Malaysia is expected to achieve its transition from an upper middle-income economy to a high-income economy by 2024 in spite of the COVID-19 pandemic having a major economic impact on vulnerable households."}, {"bbox": [83, 751, 1145, 805], "category": "Text", "text": "The European Union has a key interest in deepening economic and trade relations with Malaysia as a gateway to ASEAN, especially enhancing open, sustainable and assertive trade and investment."}, {"bbox": [83, 830, 1145, 964], "category": "Text", "text": "**Income inequality** in Malaysia remains high relatively to other East Asian countries but is gradually declining. While income growth for the bottom 40% has outpaced the top 60% over much of the last decade, the absolute gap across income groups has increased, contributing to widespread perceptions of the poor being left behind. Following the removal of broad-based subsidies, the Government has gradually moved toward more targeted measures to support the poor and vulnerable, mainly in the form of cash transfers to low-income households."}, {"bbox": [83, 990, 1145, 1070], "category": "Text", "text": "The European Union has a strategic interest in the continued development of Malaysia, as one of the only remaining stable democracies in ASEAN. The cooperation with the Government of Malaysia on common global challenges including the SDG agenda, will support this aim."}, {"bbox": [83, 1095, 1145, 1256], "category": "Text", "text": "Malaysia has mapped, integrated and aligned the SDG targets and indicators within its 11th Malaysia Plan 2016-2020 (through an SDG Roadmap) and reinforced those in the 12th Malaysia Plan to ensure mutual re-enforcement and completion. However, at sub-national levels, awareness of the SDGs is low and as a consequence monitoring, measurement and data collection is also lacking. Support to promote national ownership remains needed. Malaysia needs to advance further in education, health and nutrition, and social protection outcomes. A key priority is improved participation of women in Malaysia society."}, {"bbox": [83, 1281, 1145, 1415], "category": "Text", "text": "Malaysia has made remarkable progress within some areas of the **gender equality** agenda, most notably within the spheres of maternal health and women's and girls' access to education. Maternal deaths are well below global average, and almost all births are undertaken with the assistance of skilled medical staff. In education, Malaysia has reversed gender gaps in enrolment at all educational levels. The government has also introduced a flurry of initiatives to strengthen women's economic empowerment through tax incentives and legal reforms."}, {"bbox": [83, 1440, 1145, 1653], "category": "Text", "text": "However, despite this progress, women and girls still face many challenges in Malaysian society. Many of the initiated reforms are unfinished or have not led to the intended result, with a lower prioritisation of gender equality in national politics, leaving women and girls left out of the core agenda of the country's development. In addition, some groups such as members of the LGBTQI+, still face immense discrimination, as a consequence of a traditional, gender stereotyped view on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identify (SOGI). Moreover, the mind-set is very traditional as well as views on gender roles and society's expectations on women. It is difficult for women and girls to participate on equal terms as men and boys in society. As such, the full potential of these groups cannot be used, resulting in an untapped resource which could, through gender inclusive attitudes, contribute positively to the country's social,"}, {"bbox": [1144, 1662, 1159, 1684], "category": "Page-footer", "text": "6"}]