Currently, R&D expenses in the country only account for 0.7 per cent of GDP, its Minister, Datuk Seri Maximus Ongkili, said.

"In terms of (R&D)expenses, we are better than a few countries, but compared with Japan and Korea, they spend about two per cent of GDP annually.

"We should start rewarding creative people, and help them to translate their innovations into the market by giving financial incentives and schemes for example," he said after launching the "Malaysia Inovatif 2010" (MI2010) logo here Tuesday.

He said six ministries were actively carrying out R&D including the Ministry of Education, Ministry of Agriculture and Agro-based Industry and the Ministry of Plantation Industries and Commodities.

On the new logo, he said the government was looking to organising programmes that will create awareness among Malaysians on the innovation industry.

"These programmes are intended to create awareness in the people that the main asset for the development of the country will be minds with the capacity to think and create new ideas based on knowledge and experience," he said.

Although at this point the number of ministries involved in the programmes are less, it is hoped that many more will join to make a success of programmes that have been lined up for the whole year, he said.

He said some RM18 million has been set aside by the government to hold about 200 programmes nationwide and there will be five major programmes throughout the year including Malaysia Innovation Carnival, World Islamic Economic Forum, Malaysia International Halal Showcase, Kuala Lumpur Innovation Forum and Malaysia Innovation Festival.

"Half of the allocation is for MOSTI and the remainder for other ministries. We are also getting sponsors from the private sector," he added.

Proton Holdings Bhd and Astro All Asia Networks plc are among the sponsors.