KUALA LUMPUR (Sept 27): Malaysians’ income could rise 26% if women are given equal access to economic opportunities, according to the World Bank.

That rise in income per capita would imply a RM9,400 (US$2,240) annual gain for each Malaysian on average, according to a report released by the bank on Friday. Three-quarters of the rise would come from closing the gap in women’s participation in the labor force, which stands at 55.2%, while one-quarter would come from women becoming entrepreneurs.