Washington, Jan 15 (IANS): President Barack Obama has reiterated his call to make the government more efficient and assist companies to bring jobs back to the US from abroad.

"Right now, we have a 21st century, but we've still got a government organised for the 20th century," Xinhua quoted Obama as saying during his weekly radio and Internet address Saturday.

"Over the years, the needs of Americans have changed, but our government has not. In fact, it's gotten even more complex. And that has to change."

He proposed Friday to merge six trade and commerce agencies into one to make the federal government more streamlined and efficient.

Officials said that 1,000 to 2,000 jobs would be cut through the attrition.

"These changes will make it easier for small business owners to get the loans and support they need to sell their products around the world," said Obama urging the US congress to reinstate the authority that past presidents have had to streamline and reform the executive branch.

He also repeated his promise to put forward new tax proposals to reward companies that choose to bring jobs home and invest in America and eliminate tax breaks for companies that move jobs overseas.