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MTDC NEWS January - September 2016|1 January - September 2016 | Complimentary Issue

Source: Utusan Online

SHAH ALAM: Perbadanan Pembangunan Teknologi Malaysia (MTDC) komited membangunkan syarikat teknologi tempatan dengan nilai jualan RM100 juta setahun dan ke atas.

Ini untuk mewujudkan lebih banyak syarikat berteknologi tinggi dengan pekerja berkemahiran serta berpendapatan tinggi.

Ketua Pegawai Eksekutif MTDC, Datuk Norhalim Yunus, yakin hasrat itu mampu direalisasikan menerusi dana lebih RM600 juta diumumkan dalam Rancangan Malaysia ke-11.

Dana tersebut diperuntukkan k e r a j a a n m e n e r u s i Kementerian Sains, Teknologi dan Inovasi (MOSTI).

Ia merangkumi Dana P e n g k o m e r s i a l a n P e n y e l i d i k a n d a n Pembangunan (CRDF), D a n a P e n g a m b i l a l i h a n Teknologi (TAF), Dana Syarikat Perniagaan Baharu (BSF), Dana Pertumbuhan Perniagaan (BGF) dan Dana Pengembangan Perniagaan (BEF).

“Sekarang, antara sektor yang melonjak maju adalah tenaga hijau. Dalam keadaan dunia sekarang, teknologi tenaga hijau diberi penekanan dan kita ada beberapa syarikat yang

bergiat dalam bidang ini dan mereka disenaraikan di Bursa Saham di London. Kita juga ada beberapa lagi syarikat yang ingin bekerjasama dengan kami supaya dapat disenaraikan di Bursa Malaysia dalam masa tiga ke empat tahun. Dalam RMK-11, kerajaan memberi kami satu tanggungjawab baru iaitu untuk menguruskan dana untuk pembangunan produk halal di pasaran antarabangsa,” kata Norhalim ketika ditemui pemberita di sesi himpunan jaringan MTDC ReUnites 2016 di sini.

Jelas Norhalim, ketika ini terdapat satu syarikat dalam sektor kimia dengan nilai syarikat RM1 bilion yang dijangka disenaraikan di Bursa Malaysia menjelang hujung tahun.

“Berdasarkan syarikat-syarikat yang kita biayai, kita ingin bangunkan portfolio syarikat yang bernilai lebih daripada RM1 bilion sebagai satu sasaran yang ingin kita capai kerana kita juga ingin berkongsi dengan semua para usahawan bahawa MTDC bukan syarikat yang mendapat kos operasinya daripada kerajaan.”

Syarikat dalam sektor minyak dan gas juga antara yang diberi tumpuan susulan beberapa syarikat tempatan telah mengeksport produk ke luar negara. Sektor makanan dan peralatan perubatan turut

diberi penekanan dalam usaha menerokai pasaran eksport.

M T D C R e U n i t e s menghimpunkan kira-kira 200 peserta yang terdiri daripada penerima dana dan pelabur dan ia merupakan platform yang menghubungkan kedua-dua pihak untuk menjalin hubungan strategik bagi mencapai kejayaan dalam perniagaan.

Penerima dana sambut baik usaha dan bantuan MTDC. Usahawan tempatan menyifatkan usaha yang dilakukan MTDC dapat memajukan syarikat tempatan berteknologi tinggi untuk bersaing di peringkat global.

Menurut Pengarah LaDIY Healthcare Romli Ishak, Dana Pengkomersilan Penyelidikan dan Pembangunan (CRDF) yang diperolehi daripada MTDC membolehkan syarikatnya mengembangkan operasi ke luar negara.

“Ia memberikan peluang untuk kita membina jaringan perniagaan. Di sini ada perniagaan yang sudah matang dan ada yang baru ingin berjinak-jinak. Seperti saya yang terlibat dalam industri peralatan perubatan, kita sentiasa teruja apabila berhubung dengan rakan niaga di luar negara. Ada beberapa syarikat yang sudah berjaya menembusi pasaran luar negara dan syarikat saya juga

sudah mula melangkah ke luar negara sedikit demi sedikit.” kata Romli. Sementara itu bagi Ketua Pegawai Operasi Archtron Research & Development Sdn Bhd Yap Thiah Huat, jualan syarikatnya meningkat selepas menerima Dana Pertumbuhan Perniagaan (BGF).

MTDC memainkan peranan yang baik dalam membantu syarikat untuk menyerap atau menyokong sebahagian daripada perbelanjaan modal. Seperti dalam kes saya, MTDC membantu kami dalam fabrikasi acuan yang membolehkan kami mempunyai lebih banyak peruntukan untuk disalurkan kepada aktiviti pemasaran dan promosi.

“Untuk syarikat PKS seperti saya, kita perlukan lebih banyak sokongan daripada kerajaan dari segi subsidi perbelanjaan modal. Kami telah berjaya menggandakan jumlah jualan kami sejak menerima CRDF pada 2007, dan pada hari ini pertumbuhan telah meningkat dua kali ganda sehingga 100 peratus,” kata Yap.

Bagi Ketua Pegawai Operasi Norsym Sdn Bhd Noor Fatiah Meor Aris, dengan bantuan

MTDC syarikatnya mampu mengkomersilkan perniagaan cendawan kukur dan produk pertanian bioteknologi untuk pasaran tempatan secara besar-besaran.

Ini merupakan satu peluang amat baik sebagai seorang graduan yang menceburi dalam bidang perniagaan. MTDC mempunyai satu platform yang berkesan dan kukuh untuk pergi jauh.

“Sebagai seorang graduan, kita tidak mempunyai ilmu mengenai perniagaan dan mereka (MTDC) akan memberi kami satu ekosistem di mana semua syarikat yang sudah berjaya akan disatukan dan membantu syarikat permulaan seperti kami untuk pergi lebih jauh,” kata Noor Fatiah.

NORHALIM: Hasrat untuk mewujudkan lebih banyak syarikat berteknologi tinggi dengan pekerja berkemahiran serta berpendapatan tinggi mampu direalisasikan menerusi dana lebih RM600 juta diumumkan dalam RMK-11.

MTDC komited wujud syarikat teknologi tempatan bernilai tinggi

Pembabitan MTDC dalam merancakkan kemampuan usahawan tempatan mampu menyumbang kepada pertumbuhan syarikat yang lebih berdaya saing dan efektif.

Dalam pada itu, MOSTI menggesa syarikat berteknologi tinggi untuk memberi tumpuan kepada aspek penjenamaan dalam usaha menembusi pasaran antarabangsa.

Menterinya Datuk Wilfred Madius Tangau berkata, pada masa sama keperluan mempunyai piawaian dan akreditasi yang tinggi dapat memberikan nilai tambah kepada syarikat.

Berkolaborasi antara satu sama lain juga adalah sesuatu yang setiap usahawan daripada syarikat teknologi ini perlu lakukan untuk menembusi pasaran antarabangsa dan mereka boleh mula dengan rantau ASEAN terlebih dahulu. Sekarang ini juga ada yang sudah disenaraikan di Bursa Saham di London. Ini adalah satu contoh yang baik kepada setiap usahawan di luar sana.

“Apa yang saya nampak di sini, sebahagian besar daripada

mereka adalah usahawan yang mengkomersilkan teknologi tinggi dan menarik sekali, teknologi ini dibangunkan oleh penyeledik tempatan sendiri,” katanya selepas menghadiri jamuan tengah hari MTDC REUnites 2016 di sini pada Isnin.

Tambah Wilfred, teknologi tenaga hijau terus mendapat perhatian dunia dan merupakan sektor yang mampu menguasai pasaran tempatan jika mempunyai penjenamaan yang efisyen serta mendapat keyakinan daripada pengguna.

“Teknologi tenaga hijau diberi penekanan dan kita ada beberapa syarikat yang bergiat dalam bidang ini dan mereka diseneraikan di Bursa Saham

di London.”

2 | MTDC NEWS January - September 2016

MTDC sees vast opportunities in upcoming Bintulu plant

KUCHING: The Malaysian Technology Development Corporation (MTDC) believes the upcoming integrated phosphate plant in Bintulu will offer huge potential and business opportunities for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Sarawak.

The integrated phosphate plant, Malaysian Phosphate Additives Sdn Bhd (MPA) Sarawak, the first of its kind in the region, is located within the Salamaju Industrial Park and MTDC is a shareholder of the the upcoming plant.

According to chief executive officer (CEO) Datuk Norhalim Yunus, the RM2.2 billion integrated phosphate plant in Samalaju is expected to be ready two years from now, in 2018.

“For SMEs who have technology, who can see the opportunity, there are a huge range of downstream products that can be produced from the phosphate products that we will produce by MPA Sarawak,” he said during a press conference at the Road2Funding event.

“And I think this is one of the things Sarawakian SMEs can look at as a business opportunity.”

Norhalim noted that from the government’s technology development point of view, there are huge possibilities to develop downstream phosphate industry now that we have an integrated phosphate plant in Samalaju.

He further noted that phosphate is used across the board such as in animal feed, pharmaceuticals, industrial products, in almost anything one can

think of that contains phosphate.

Norhalim stressed that Sarawakian companies, SMEs and enterprises need to take the opportunity in this industry to see what are the types of projects which can be created based on phosphates.He pointed out that these projects need technology and as such maybe they can plan now to work together with universities to look at the downstream technology that can be used.

On this note, Norhalim emphasised that entrepreneurs should cooperate and with universities as MTDC’s funds cover both public and private universities.

“We want to encourage SMEs to work with universities because if you look at the European experience, a lot of commercialisation of university knowledge is via collaborations.”

“Research commercialisation is by working together, identifying issues that the SMEs faced and then working together to develop the solution and I think this is what we need.”

“For example, we now have a project with one company providing robotics to the furniture industry. If you look at the furniture industry, the main problem is, its labour dependent.”

“A lot of foreign workers are working in the furniture industry. So, the solution would be for productivity and efficiency is to introduce robotics. We are working now with companies to develop robotics for furniture industry.”

“This is how we actually inject innovation into SMEs, into our

industry,” he explained. Companies can find the opportunities to work with universities whereby they can discover ways in which to add value to the businesses.

“That’s why we say while a company can have a turnover of RM1 billion to RM2 billion a year, but the downstream activities can rake in RM5 billion a year depending on how SMEs in sarawak react or take opportunity of these businesses,” he added.

On working with univerisites or research institutes, Norhalim highlighted that there are a lot of opportunities for SMEs in Sarawak to work with universities, to commercialise their research results.

One of MTDC’s most important agenda is to assist SMEs to acquire technologies and commercialise it.

Norhalim hopes that by collaborating with universities and research institutes, it will actually drive the growth of SMEs as a whole.

“The other thing we are doing now is, we are also working with universities to look at student entrepreneurship because undergraduate entrepreneurship is something we need to explore as we need to create new type of companies.”

“We have conventional SMEs doing relatively conventional things. But we need to have new companies formed by graduates who are doing new things. We will also be happy to talk to graduates or undergraduates who have ideas, projects, which they want to commercialise or test,” he said.

MTDC has running programmes, undergraduate commercialisation programmes in several universities in the Peninsular and is also looking into the possibility of doing that in Sabah and Sarawak as well.

“Because, I think that’s another avenue where we can actually create new technology-based companies besides upgrading companies that are already in operation in Sarawak and Sabah at this point in time,” he added.

On the impact of MTDC funds for Sabah and Sarawak, the total allocation under the 11th Malaysia Plan amounts to RM925 million while for the year 2016, it amounts to RM155 million. The total amount approved as of May 11, 2016 numbered at RM78.5 million. Ten companies have been approved as at May 11, 2016.

KUALA LUMPUR, 16th May, 2016 (WAM) -- by Rasha Abubaker.

An official UAE trade delegation today visited the Malaysian Technology Development Corporation, MTDC, located in the Malaysian capital, Kuala Lumpur, to explore prospects and boost investment opportunities for Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises, SME’s, on both sides.

The high-ranking delegation, which arrived yesterday on a 4-day visit, comprises more than 50 representatives from the Ministry of Economy and the Council of Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises and Projects, SMEs Council, members of the public and private sectors from the UAE, businessmen, entrepreneurs, and other government officials. The trip is also fully backed by the SME’s Council, the organisation’s first involvement in an official government visit.

Speaking after a presentation from MTDC officials, Abdullah Al Saleh, Under-Secretary of the Ministry of Economy for Foreign Trade and Industry Affairs, who is leading the delegation, said, “The aim of this visit, aside from participating in the Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises Annual Showcase, SMIDEX, is to build a partnership with Malaysia and help connect our companies with their Malaysian counterparts for the benefit of both sides.”

MTDC is a government-backed organisation founded in 1992 to provide integrated commercialisation solutions to help build world-class Malaysian technology companies through connecting start-up businesses with strategic partners. MTDC first identifies the products ready to be introduced to the market. So far, the corporation funds almost 700 Malaysian companies.

One of MTDC’s objectives is to also expand its international partnerships, and the UAE is one of the most influential countries the corporation hopes to break into. “The UAE has become a central hub for the GCC and Europe, and that’s why we have a strong interest

in having a healthy relationship with the UAE. We hope that after this visit we will build a platform for collaboration opportunities and expand our network there, especially with the government,” said Abdul Rahman Yasir, Senior Vice President at the Business Development Department in MTDC.

The delegation also visited another prominent innovation centre and business incubator, the Technology Park Malaysia, which supports more than 3,000 Malaysian and international companies, especially ICT firms.

Senior UAE delegate, Khalid Obaid Al Hajeri, Director-General of the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said that the main aim of the visit is to discover the Malaysian experience and find the best opportunities it has to offer. “We are here to open new markets for our young entrepreneurs and SME’s. We want to develop the SME sector in Sharjah and create the best benchmark in Kuala Lumpur, because there are many funds supporting SME’s in Sharjah,” he said.

Speaking on what Sharjah has to offer countries like Malaysia, Al Hajeri said, “Sharjah is a main connecting hub for the Far East and Europe. That’s why Cathy Pacific uses Sharjah Airport as a cargo hub between Europe and the Far East, saving 50% of time and cost.”

Tomorrow, the delegates are due participate in the 19th edition of SMIDEX 2016, being held until May 19th at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre. Under the theme, ‘SME’s Rising to The Challenge,’ the annual event will see the convergence of SME’s large companies and multinational corporations to showcase their capabilities and capacities in producing products, services and technologies for the global market.

On the sidelines of the visit, officials from the Ministry of Economy will be negotiating two MoU’s, one on SME’S, and the other on innovation with the Malaysian side.

UAE trade delegation visits Malaysian Technology Development Corporation to explore partnerships

Source: Arab TodaySource: Borneo Post

MTDC NEWS January - September 2016|3

Making Locally Developed Technologies Reaching All Malaysians

Datuk Seri Madius Tangau, Science Technology and Innovation Minister.

DOES the man in the street, who regularly shops at the pasar borong, really care that the fish he buys are free of diseases? Who pays attention to fulfilling the needs of the old folk in remote villages yearning for clean water, affordable to their level of income? What does an executive who drives a German marque has in mind when he happily swirls around corners while braking hard and enjoying his drive?

The three questions actually have some commonalities – technologies – and Malaysia has plenty to offer. But the question is whether the technologies are really up to the mark in addressing the needs of the users and to a greater extent, meeting the stringent requirements of the producers? Manufacturers or producers are constantly looking for new products or product lines to stay in business. This means that new products must be developed with demand in mind, hence, demand-driven research and development (R&D) should be given focus.

Every year, the Government spends about RM6.6bil in various R&D activities and the challenge is finding avenues for the technology-based products to enter the market. My ministry realises that commercialisation interventions need to be instituted and thus MOSTI Commercialisation Year was introduced in 2014 to create awareness and spur researchers to start thinking of the end in

mind whenever they embark on a new journey of R&D.The target is to commercialise up to 360 products by 2020 or on average, 60 products a year, for agencies under MOSTI. At the end of 2015, a total of 132 products were launched into the Malaysian market. The number of products commercialised in 2014 and 2015 is understandably small compared with the number of R&D projects funded by the Government.

As such, the Malaysia Commercialisation Year (MCY) was announced by the Prime Minister in Budget 2015, and MOSTI was entrusted to spearhead this initiative in 2016.

The country’s STI landscape consists of many players including Malaysia Debt Ventures Bhd, Malaysia Innovation Agency and Malaysian Global Innovation & Creativity Centre (MaGIC), government research institutions and public research universities. Recognising that there are many agencies, the Government feels that we should capitalise on this strength to catapult commercialisation. MCY 2016 therefore, will be different in terms of target and approach compared with the 2014 and 2015 commercialisation programme.

In this regard, the MCY programme is a collaborative effort between the Finance Ministry and MOSTI under the National Blue Ocean Strategy. This programme

leverages on the collaboration and sharing of resources by various relevant agencies including the nine ministries that conduct R&D activities, namely MOSTI, the Higher Education Ministry, Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Ministry, Communications and Multimedia Minsitry, Plantation Industry and Commodity Ministry, Health Ministry, Defence Ministry, Natural Resources and Environment Ministry, and Energy, Green Technology and Water Ministry.

The question can still be asked about multiple ministries and agencies working in tandem to elevate commercialising of local technologies. For example, Unit Peneraju Agenda Bumiputra (Teraju) provides business opportunities, financing and human capital development, private investments and value creation. These initiatives are carried out through various ministries, private sector and government agencies at various levels.

How do we ensure that Teraju’s activities are linked to other initiatives and how do they collaborate with agencies like Malaysian Technology Development Corp (MTDC), under MOSTI? MTDC has been a key player in commercialisation and has a good reputation in the promotion of technology-based companies in Malaysia.

In actuality, Teraju and MTDC have started collaborating in the management of Teraju’s Superb programme where MTDC acts as Teraju’s technical arm in coaching and mentoring tech-based businesses funded by Teraju. This kind of collaborative partnership will be enhanced further under MCY.

MCY’s objective is to facilitate local R&D products and services into the market by introducing appropriate commercialisation interventions, such as investment and market promotions. The programme’s three-pronged approach includes enhancing synergy across various related agencies including R&D, promotions, investment and capacity building agencies, based on market-driven products and services and leverage on quick wins on the products and services.

To ensure a smooth implementation of MCY initiatives and activities, the Government is instituting a governing structure led by a steering committee, which is chaired by myself, that meets regularly with the nine ministries and other agencies.

MCY is adopting the synergistic approach, which consists of six elements namely 1Promotional Campaign; 1Stop Centres; Capacity Building Programmes, Industry Engagement, Shared Key Performance Indicators (KPI), and Information Services.

For the Shared KPI, all agencies, institutions and universities, which conduct research, development and commercialisation (R,D&C) activities have committed to commercialise at least five products/ services each by the end of 2016 as their Special KPI under MCY.

The new target for MCY 2016, as such, is to commercialise a

total of 145 technology-based products and services. This is a first in Malaysia where all R,D&C organisations consisting of 13 GRI, five research universities and seven technology development agencies are working with other agencies via MOSTI to bring their products to the market.The highlight of MCY 2016 is the MCY summit, scheduled from Nov 2-3 2016.

The summit will feature international level conferences and exhibitions, product launch and awards. Ten winners will be selected among the Special KPI products and services. Each winner will receive RM100,000.

Source : The Star Online

KUALA LUMPUR: The government via Malaysian Technology Development Corp (MTDC) Sdn Bhd has allocated RM60 million as grants for research and development (R&D) and product commercialisation for 2016.

Of the amount, RM40 million is for commercialisation of the local R&Dfund, the technology acquisition fund (RM10 million) and business start-up fund (RM10 million).

MTDC chief executive officer Datuk Norhalim Yunus said the funds are crucial for local companies to expand their businesses at home and in the global market.

“The agency will act as a mediator to push for more collaboration between local and foreign companies. This is especially for the transfer of technology and opportunities to find partners in entering new markets,” he told reporters on the sidelines of the Business Meeting Asia 2016 in Kuala Lumpur on Tuesday.

MTDC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Khazanah Nasional Bhd, is in charge of promoting the adoption of technologies by local companies via commercialisation of R&D or acquisition of foreign technologies.

In the 11th Malaysia Plan, the Government doubled grants for R&D and commercialisation to

RM500 million, compared with RM297 million in the 10th Plan.Meanwhile, the one-day Business Meeting Asia 2016, co-organised by MTDC and Korea’s Asian Science Park Association (ASPA) attracted 34 foreign companies from South Korea, Japan, Hong Kong and Taiwan.

More than 30 local companies from various clusters, namely information, communication and technology, biotech, electronics, robotics, healthcare and machinery, also participated.

ASPA secretary-general Dr Sunkook Kwon said the organisation holds one or more multilateral business meetings annually in the Asian region with the participation of small and medium enterprises.

“Companies are able to seek partnerships, which can create a synergy effect in the international market, with the advantage of rapidly adjusting to the changes in high technology and sprawl out anywhere in the world,” he said in his opening speech.

In a separate update, MTDC is expected to manage the halal technology development fund, to be announced next month. At present, MTDC is managing five government funds involving R&D and commercialisation.

Govt allocates RM60m as R&Dand commercialisation grants

Source: The Star Online


Malaysian Phosphate Additives RM1.9b plant to start 2018KUCHING: Malaysian Phosphate Additives (Sarawak) Sdn Bhd’s (MPAS) proposed RM1.9bil phosphate additives plant in Samalaju Industrial Park, Bintulu, is expected to be commissioned in 2018.

Chairman Datuk Syed Ahmad Alwee Alsree said the project, which would be South-East Asia’s largest integrated phosphate additives complex, would house nine different plants that would produce food, fertiliser and halal feed phosphates.

“The proposed plant is targeted for completion in phases from mid-to-end 2018,” he said at the signing of a power purchase agreement between MPAS and Sarawak Energy Bhd (SEB). SEB will supply 150MW to power the plant.

The signatories for the agreement were SEB group chief executive officer Datuk Torstein Dale Sjotveit and MPAS managing director Lim Lee Wan.

Sarawak Chief Minister Tan Sri Adenan Satem witnessed the event.

Malaysian Phosphate Additives Sdn Bhd (via Malaysian Phosphate Ventures Sdn Bhd) and Cahya Mata Sarawak Bhd (through wholly-owned subisidary Samalaju Industries Sdn Bhd) each own a 40% stake in MPAS. The remaining 20% equity is held by Arif Enigma Sdn Bhd, an associate of Tradewinds Plantations group.

Syed Ahmad said on full operation, the plant would produce 500,000 tonnes per annum of phosphate products, ranging from food grade, animal feed and fertilser phosphates, 900,000 tonnes per annum of coke and 100,000 tonnes per annum of ammonia.

Food phosphate is used mainly in crude palm oil refining and in the production of various types of food and beverages, cola fizzy drinks, food source for cakes and noodles while fertiliser phosphate is used in the production of compound fertiliser, nitrogen phosphorous potassium.

Halal feed phosphate is used to replace big bones of animals in animal feed.

Syed Ahmad said the technology for the project was developed by Malaysian chemical engineers under the auspices of the Malaysian Technology Development Corp, and that all MPAS shareholders were Malaysian entities.

The project, he said, would strengthen the national food security system.

MPAS’s annual average revenue is estimated at RM2.9bil of which over 80% would be from export income. The plant will provide jobs to some 1,200 people, including engineers and project supervisors.

“This project has a huge downstream potential and will be able to spawn a cluster of no less than 20 different downstream industries for small and medium enterprises,” he said.

NILAI: The Malaysian Technology Development Corporation (MTDC) plans to guide 40 graduates who want to go into technological entrepreneurships.

MTDC Chief Executive Officer Datuk Norhalim Yunus said the corporation was currently guiding 30 graduates under its symbiosis programme.

“Generally we want to expose the students to ways to develop a company using technology.

“This technology does not have to be too sophisticated, but can be commercialised, and developed by the students and lecturers themselves, and is an innovation which could be expanded in the future,” he said.

Norhalim was speaking to reporters after the closing

ceremony of the “Transfer of Industry Knowledge Into Academia 2016” programme which was officiated by Deputy Minister of Higher Education, Datuk Mary Yap Kain Ching.

A total of 85 final-year students from 16 polytechnics throughout the country participated in the programme.

Norhalim said under MTDC’s guidance, the graduates would be exposed to the business model canvas, and funds would be provided by the government.

He added that under the symbiosis programme, the MTDC would provide funds of up to RM500,000 for every project which had market value.

MTDC to guide 40 grads in tech entrepreneurships

MTDC offers funding for Sarawak’s technopreneurs

Norhalim is seen giving the opening remarks and a brief introduction on MTDC at Road2Funding 2016 held at Pullman yesterday.

KUCHING: The Malaysian Technology Development Corporation (MTDC) hosted Road2Funding 2016 to provide technopreneurs in Sarawak, wider access to funding and to take up commercialisation of indigenous technology and innovation for the mass-market roll out.

The one-day event was attended by 100 participants, mainly students, researchers and technology-based entrepreneurs.

“This event will not only get technology entrepreneurs closer to understanding the role of MTDC and the multitudes of support available for them to

grow their businesses, it is also a platform for business networking and business matching between the industry, government and academia.” says Datuk Norhalim Yunus, chief executive officer (CEO) of MTDC.

Besides briefing sessions on MTDC funds, business clinic and

networking session, the event also featured poster exhibition for Universities to display their potential technology researches for commercialisation.

As a subsidiary of Khazanah Nasional Berhad and an agency under MOSTI, the Government has entrusted MTDC to manage multiple matching funds since the Seventh Malaysia Plan until today.

In the 9th Malaysia Plan (9MP) and 10th Malaysia Plan (10MP) alone, companies that were recipients of MTDC’s Commercialisation of Research and Development Fund (CRDF) and Technology Acquisition Fund (TAF) generated a total of RM1.974 billion in sales and contributed towards the creation of 5,261 new jobs and a total of 465 Intellectual Property Rights were filed.

“At MTDC we offer Commercialisation of Research and Development Fund (CRDF), Technology Acquisition Fund (TAF), Business Startup Fund (BSF), Business Growth Fund (BGF), Business Expansion Fund (BEF) and the latest,

Halal Technology Development Fund (Halal Fund) to assist companies and entrepreneurs at differentlevel of business undertakings.

Road2Funding 2016 is free and open to entrepreneurs, researchers, and inventors, members of business chambers and business associations as well as State Government officials in charge of entrepreneur development. The roadshow is part of a nationwide programme organised by MTDC this year.

Source: Bernama

Source: Borneo Post

Source: The Star Online

This event will not only get technology entrepreneurs closer to understanding the role of MTDC and

the multitudes of support available for them to grow their businesses, it is also a platform for business

networking and business matching between the

industry, government and academia.

-Datuk Norhalim Yunus-


Innovative development

Innovation has become a key factor in the process of socioeconomic development. Innovation is no longer the prerogative of developed nations. Some developing countries have given innovation-based development a high priority in their national development plans and economic growth strategies and they are now reaping the fruits of that investment.

In this knowledge-driven world, it is vitally important for developing countries to place innovation at the top of their development agendas and bring about the necessary changes to transition from their largely natural resource-based economies to innovation-led systems.

It is imperative to have innovation systems with quality human resources, supported by a strong infrastructure and dynamic innovation policies. Information and communication technologies play an important role in the ecosystem. Combined with knowledge workers, knowledge networks and knowledge absorption

capabilities, particularly in the private sector, they can lead to a stream of high value products and services that can have a significant impact on national economies.

A critically important ingredient of an innovation ecosystem is the quality of the knowledge workers. This, in turn, is reflected in the quality of education, the level of research, as evident from the scholarly articles published in top journals, the rankings of universities and the number of international patents produced indigenously.

According to the Global Innovation Index 2015, there are 11 developing countries that have shown significant improvements from 2011-2014 in their overall Innovation Index; they are Armenia, China, Georgia, India, Jordan, Kenya, Malaysia, Republic of Moldova, Mongolia, Uganda and Vietnam. These countries are investing heavily in the implementation of innovative policies, and this spending in key sectors is driving their growth.

Innovation must go beyond economic development and promote inclusive and sustainable socioeconomic development by focusing on the key problems faced by the people: health, environment and jobs for the under-privileged. The key principles that need to be implemented to promote innovation are:(i) Promoting innovation across all industries, not just in high tech manufacturing; (ii) Promoting innovation in all areas and in all phases of development so that countries can transition from the manufacture of low value products to the manufacture of high value products; (iii) Establishing a world class IT infrastructure to provide ready access to digital knowledge and promote e-commerce; (iv) Establishing National Innovation Agencies that can promote the formulation of robust and dynamic innovation strategies. Such agencies have been established in Kenya, India, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam; (v) Establishing an effective tax, trade and investment environment so that innovation can be promoted and facilities such as access to venture capital, the establishment of techno-parks in key fields, financial and legal services and mentorship are available to assist new start-up firms; and (vi) Promoting mechanisms to support new technologies through ready access to R&D funds, so that new and creative ideas can be nurtured.

There are a number of initiatives taken by other fast developing countries that we can learn from. China’s remarkable economic development has been based on massive investments in science, technology and innovation. The 2006 National Plan for China (covering the period 2006-2020) lays strong emphasis on revamping the science and technology institutions and promoting innovation-led economic growth. To attract the best talent from abroad, particularly the US, China launched the ‘Thousand Talents Recruitment Program’, which has already brought more than 2,000 professionals to China through excellent salaries and research incentives.

India presents another good example of how science and technology can boost the economy. Its investments in high quality educational institutions that produce good professionals, in the IT area for instance, have led to an industry that has passed the $147 billion mark in revenues ($99 billion in exports and $48 billion domestic) and contributes about 13 percent to India’s total annual GDP. The pharmaceutical and biotech industries have also made rapid progress, driven by highly qualified local labour

and sensible industrial and innovation policies.

Malaysia presents another interesting example of how innovation policies are being implemented. The Intensification of Research in Priority Areas programme was launched in 1988 by the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MOSTI) to promote research in universities and R&D institutions. Realising the importance of promoting R&D in the private sector, the Malaysian government launched the ‘Industrial R & D Grant Scheme’ in 1997.

Production of high quality technological goods has become a key pillar in the industrial growth of Malaysia, and the progress has been nothing short of spectacular. Today, about 87 percent of total technology exports to the Islamic world come from Malaysia alone. The remaining 13 percent come from the 56 Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) member states – with Indonesia contributing about 6 percent and the remaining 55 members (including countries like Turkey Iran, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait) contributing only about 7 percent.

MOSTI coordinates closely with other key organisations, such as the Malaysia Industry-Government Group for High Technology, the Multimedia Development Corporation, the Malaysian Technology Development Corporation, the National Science Research Council and the five research universities. The establishment of a high level research centre in my name – the ‘Atta-ur-Rahman Research Institute of Natural Product Discovery’ at the largest university of Malaysia, Universiti Teknologi Mara – is illustrative of the emphasis that Malaysia is now placing on cutting edge research. Malaysia is, however, still dependent on foreign technology as is evident from the deficit balance between royalties and license fees paid abroad against those received. It needs to become a technology exporting country.

The importance of implementing innovation policies needs to be understood by the leaders and planners of developing countries. This means involving all stakeholders and then supporting them in the establishment of various innovation-led schemes in their respective fields. Pakistan needs to learn from others and have a focused implementation strategy based on the policies of Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) and backed by liberal funding, so that we too can transition to a strong innovation-driven knowledge economy.

The writer is a former federal minister, former founding chairman of the HEC and presently president of the Network of Academies of Science of Islamic Countries.

Kota Kinabalu: Labuan’s Halal Hub holds great potential, especially with the contribution by the academia and graduates, such as Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) and others including Jakim which is a leading global halal standard reference and authority.

Malaysian Technology Development Corporation (MTDC) CEO Dato’ Norhalim Yunus said his organisation’s Halal Technology Development Fund is right for such development using suitable technology to create the world’s best halal products.

The realisation will benefit Labuan immensely with the increase in economic contribution of halal sector small and medium enterprises through the export of halal products and services.

This development will create employment opportunities for locals in the halal-compliant industry through MTDC’s prong to develop, nurture and increase the participation of SMEs in halal-based industry set-up.

His officer, in the presentation of the fund, said: “Halal Technology Development Fund is specifically designed to nurture and finance small and medium enterprises for long-term growth and export-driven through halal-compliant activities.”

Muslim population is expected to grow from 1.8 billion now to 2.5 billion by 2025, and the primary focus of Halal Technology Development Fund is to provide companies with access to the best advisory services and networks.

“The activities include halal product development and processes, services and regulatory compliance. The activities are part of an effort to overcome barriers and hurdles to bring halal products and services to the market.”

“Halal Technology Development Fund also provides an opportunity for companies to create innovation partnership with university, research institution, halal-related agencies or solution providers to address technical challenges in the development of new halal products and services,” he said, stressing on MTDC’s role and objective to equip and enhance SMEs to develop and market

Labuan Halal Hub promising

halal-complaint products and services for the export market.

MTDC is confident that this will optimise returns and achieve capital growth for technology-based companies involved in halal-compliant activities, and in turn develop Malaysia as a hub for production of halal-based products and services for the international market.

Stressing that more Muslims are finding it difficult to visit America and Europe, and are heading to Asian countries where new markets open up in Taiwan to Japan presenting great opportunities for halal hubs such as Labuan.

To a question by Daily Express on the mushrooming halal hubs in many states, Sabah included as in the Kota Kinabalu Industrial Park, Papar and elsewhere and who or what agency should be responsible to synchronise these halal hubs in competition, Norhalim replied that it is not for him or MTDC’s role to coordinate. “It is best left to the experts in the relevant authority.”

MTDC is the foremost Federal entity promoting technology commercialisation and technological advancement for Malaysian firms to compete internationally as world class enterprises with various funding programmes for start-up, growth and expansion with no collateral required.

Source: Daily Express

Muslim population is expected to grow

from 1.8 billion now to 2.5 billion by 2025, and the primary focus of Halal Technology

Development Fund is to provide

companies with access to the best advisory services

and networks.

About 87 percent of total technology exports

to the Islamic world come from Malaysia

alone. The remaining 13 percent comesfrom the 56 Organisation of Islamic

Cooperation(OIC) member states.



SEB bekal tenaga ke kompleks integrasi fosfat

Malaysia Minati Investasi di Kampar

KUCHING 3 Feb. - Sarawak Energy Berhad (SEB) melalui anak syarikatnya, Syarikat SESCO Berhad (SESCO) menandatangani perjanjian penjualan tenaga (PPA) dengan Malaysian Phosphate Additives (Sarawak) Sdn. Bhd. (MPA Sarawak), bagi membekalkan 150 megawatt (MW) kepada kompleks integrasi fosfat yang pertama di Asia Tenggara.

Pengerusi MPA Sarawak, Datuk Syed Ahmad Alwee Alsree berkata, PPA tersebut menunjukkan komitmen pihaknya dalam pelaburan besar bernilai RM1.9 bilion bagi pembangunan kompleks integrasi fosfat di Taman Industri Samalaju nanti.

“Kita bangga kerana projek MPA Sarawak merupakan projek Malaysia sebenar yang pemegang sahamnya terdiri daripada entiti negara ini dan teknologi pula dibangunkan oleh jurutera kimia di bawah Malaysian Technology Developement Corporation (MTDC).

“Kompleks fosfat ini akan melibatkan kapasiti pengeluaran 500,000 tan bagi fosfat aditif, 100,000 tan ammonia dan 900,000 tan coke setiap tahun,” katanya.

Beliau berkata demikian dalam ucapannya pada Majlis Menandatangani PPA antara SESCO dan MPA Sarawak iaitu sebuah syarikat usaha sama Malaysian Phospate Ventures Sdn. Bhd., Cahaya Mata Sarawak Berhad melalui anak syarikat mereka iaitu Samalaju Industries Sdn. Bhd. dan Arif Enigma Sdn. Bhd. di sini hari ini.

Ketua Menteri, Tan Sri Adenan Satem menyaksikan majlis itu. Pihak SESCO diwakili oleh Datuk Torstein Dale Sjotveit dan disaksikan Pengurus Besar Undang-undang Kumpulannya, Stephanie Gae Chin, manakala MPA Sarawak oleh Pengarah Urusannya, Lim Lee Wan disaksikan Pengarahnya, Datuk Isaac Lugun. Yang turut hadir, Menteri Pembangunan Perindustrian negeri, Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali

Hasan dan Setiausaha Kerajaan negeri, Tan Sri Mohamad Morshidi Abdul Ghani.

Tambah Syed Ahmad, projek itu akan mewujudkan 1,200 peluang pekerjaan malah banyak potensi bagi industri hiliran, tidak kurang 20 kluster kepada perusahaan kecil dan sederhana (PKS).

“Manfaat projek ini, selain memperkasakan Sistem Keselamatan Makanan Kebangsaan ia juga dapat menghasilkan pendapatan negara kasar sebanyak RM11.8 bilion kepada ekonomi negara.

“Kami menyasarkan projek ini akan siap dalam beberapa fasa bermula pertengahan 2018 hingga akhir tahun itu,” jelasnya.

Sementara itu, Torstein berkata, PPA yang ditandatangani itu merupakan sebuah lagi kejayaan kawasan Koridor Tenaga Diperbaharui Sarawak (Score).

“Keputusan MPA Sarawak untuk membuka kompleks fosfat integrasi yang pertama di Sarawak menunjukkan jaminan bahawa kita berada pada laluan betul merealisasikan sasaran negeri menjadi penjana bagi rantau ASEAN,” jelasnya.

Adenan Satem (tengah) dan Awang Tengah Ali Hasan (dua dari kiri) menyaksikan pertukaran dokumen perjanjian penjualan tenaga antara Torstein Dale Sjotveit (kiri) dengan Lim Lee Wan di Kuching, semalam.

Source: Utusan OnlineKabupaten Kampar menjadi tujuan investasi bagi negara asing. Salah satunya, investor asal Malaysia berkunjung ke Kampar untuk menanamkan modal.

Riauterkini-SIAKHULU-Cik Rahman dari MTDC Malaysia selaku Ketua Rombongan mengatakan tujuan ke Kampar adalah membawa Perusahaan untuk menjajaki kerjasama dengan Pemerintah Kabupaten Kampar dalam pemberian pelayanan kesehatan masyarakat.

Dikatakan Rahman salah satu perusahaan yang dibawa ke Kabupaten Kampar adalah Foresight Industries Sdh Bhd yang bergerak di bidang kesehatan untuk membuka Pusat layanan kesehatan khususnya Cuci Darah untuk dikembangkan di Riau khususnya Kampar.

Rahman bersama dengan Zulkifli Ismail Cik Adli dari Foresight Industries Sdh InvestBhd dan 10 orang rombongan tersebut akan melakukan kajian terhadap apa yangakan di investasikan di Kabupaten Kampar, apa peluang dan pangsa yang akan dibuat dapat di dukung potensi yang ada,” kata Rahman dihadapan Bupati Kampardan Kepala Dinas Kesehatan Kampar Harris Kamis (18/2/16).

Bupati Kampar H Jefry Noer dalam menyikapi keinginan dari investor Malaysia inimenyatakan bahwa peluang ini sangat terbuka karena sangat banyak masyarakatyang membutuhkan pelayanan kesehatan. “Sejauh ini Kampar terbuka bagi investor yang datang ke Kampar, tentunya ini akan memberikan nilai ekonomi bagiKampar sendiri,”kata Jefry Noer.

Ditambahkan Jefry Noer untuk pelayanan kesehatan sangat dibutuhkan pelayanankarena pada saat ini tak terlepas dari tekhnology dan industri kesehatan yangmakin berkembang dan maju, selain Ilmu pengetahuan kesehatan sendiri sebagai dasar.

“Kita sangat mendukung rencana ini, namun perlu di kaji dan pelajari bagaimana investasi dapat membantu peningkatan ekonomi melalui perekrutantenaga kerja local,” terangnya.

Sementara itu Kepala Dinas Kesehatan Kabupaten Kampar Haris akan melihat seberapa Potensi yang ada di Kampar khususnya pelayanan cuci darah, kemudian bagaimana statistik dari tahun ketahun, selanjutnya ada beberapa ketentuan dan persyaratan yang harus di penuhi, selain itu dimana tempat yang akan digunakan sebagai lokasi investasi ini.

“Kompleks fosfat ini akan melibatkan kapasiti pengeluaran 500,000 tan

bagi fosfat aditif, 100,000 tan ammonia dan 900,000 tan coke

setiap tahun.”

“Sejauh ini Kampar terbuka

bagi investor yang datang ke Kampar,

tentunya ini akan memberikan nilai ekonomi bagi Kampar

sendiri.”

Source: RiauTerkini


KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia has been ranked 25th out of 138 economies, down from 18th last year, but remains the most competitive economy among developing countries in Asia.

According to the Global Competitiveness Report (GCR) 2016-2017, unveiled by the World Economic Forum (WEF) Wednesday, in terms of score, its performance came down from 5.23 to 5.16 out of a maximum of seven.

Malaysia remains ahead of economies such as South Korea, Iceland and China, but was overtaken by Belgium, Austria, Luxembourg, France, Australia, Ireland and Israel, said the report.

Meanwhile, countries and territories that also slipped in their rankings included Germany, Japan, Hong Kong, Finland, Canada, France, Thailand, Indonesia and the Philippines.

In a statement today, International Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed said it was important to note that all countries ranked above Malaysia were developed and high-income economies.The GCR is an annual report published by the WEF based on the Global Competitiveness Index (GCI) that combines 114 indicators that integrate both macro and micro economic aspects of competitiveness.

These indicators are grouped into 12 pillars comprising Institutions, Infrastructure, M a c r o e c o n o m i c Environment, Health and Primary Education, Higher Education and Training, Goods Market Efficiency, Labour Market Efficiency, Financial Market Development, Technological Readiness, Market Size, Business Sophistication and Innovation. The GCI is based on statistical data from internationally recognised organisations for 30 per cent or 34 indicators.

For the rest of the 80 indicators, qualitative assessments were made based on the WEF’s Executive Opinion Survey.

Overall, the GCR ranked Switzerland as the most competitive economy in the world for the eighth consecutive year, ahead of Singapore and the United States, followed by the Netherlands and Germany.

Mustapa said Malaysia is ranked in the top 50 in each of the total 12 pillars, despite the decline in eight of them. Malaysia performed most strongly in Goods Market Efficiency (12th) and Financial Market Development (13th) while in the Technological Readiness pillar, it advanced by four places to 43rd, and Market Size pillar gained two positions to 24th, he said.

Mustapa said external factors beyond the control

of policymakers were partly responsible for the decline in Malaysia’s ranking.

The global economic uncertainty, the strong US dollar, the fall in commodity prices and the slowdown in China’s economy are beyond our ambit.

“There is also the issue of perception due to irresponsible act of certain parties which continue to spread unfounded and baseless allegations about domestic political developments and the state of our economy,” he said.

In fact, Malaysia remained politically stable and its economic fundamentals remained strong, thus this perception issue must be taken seriously and the Government would continue to engage with various stakeholders to address it, he said.

Although the latest ranking is disappointing, Mustapa said it strengthened the Government’s resolve to undertake necessary measures at a much faster pace to improve the country’s competitiveness.

He said as pointed out by the WEF for emerging economies, updated business practices and investments in innovation are now as important as infrastructure, skills and efficient markets.

The Government would address the shortcomings highlighted in the report

Malaysia Slips To 25th Spot In Global Competitiveness, Remains Strong In Asia

Source: Bernama

and consolidate efforts across ministries towards maintaining Malaysia’s status as a preferred investment destination, he said.

Malaysia will also continue to benchmark itself against the best performers in the report.Malaysia has already addressed areas such as improving productivity and enabling innovation especially in small and medium enterprises (SMEs).

The nation was also revolutionising the manufacturing services, enhanced automation and digitalisation to increase efficiency, optimisation of logistics and making prices more transparent and competitive, he said.

The Government, he said, was also preparing the SMEs against the backdrop of a more open environment and numerous free trade agreements that the country is resolved in, as well as the deeper economic trade integration in ASEAN.

The Government is working closely with experts and industry players in finalising the Malaysia Productivity Blueprint to address issues and challenges on productivity in a comprehensive manner.

He urged the companies to innovate fast as the private sector would define the country’s competitiveness.The report also underscores

the importance of avoiding the middle-income trap by placing increasing attention to business sophistication and innovation.

On this note, Mustapa said innovation was the name of the game that Malaysia would continue to embrace.

Several strategies which are being implemented to promote innovation at enterprise and societal levels under the 11th Malaysia Plan are expected to enhance the national innovation ecosystem.

“Hopefully, this will help us to improve our ranking in the coming report,” the Minister added.

Going forward, Mustapa cautioned that the competition would become more intense in the years ahead as all countries are working towards lifting their competitiveness.

Technology enabled platforms, such as sensors that ease sharing and on-demand economies, were disrupting business models and forcing countries to rethink how they formulate economic policies, he said.

Both the Government and the private sector needed to work more closely with each other to create a more competitive environment, he added.

“There is also the issue of perception due to irresponsible

act of certain parties which continue to spread unfounded

and baseless allegations about domestic political developments and

the state of our economy.”


Malaysian VC PE industry has $1.74b committed funds at end-2015: SC

March 10, 2016: The total committed funds as at end of 2015 in the Malaysian venture capital and private equity (VCPE) industry stood at MYR7.15 billion ($1.74 billion), representing an increase of 15.18 per cent year-on-year championed mostly by public funds. The Securities Commission of Malaysia (SC) noted in its 2015 annual report that public funds remain the largest source of capital for the industry with sovereign wealth funds and government investment companies making up 49.76 per cent, while government agencies contributed 37.98 per cent. Private sector contribution to the industry world led by corporate investor (6.43 per cent) followed by foreign investors (1.97 per cent) and asset managers (1.45per cent), the report read.

“Top three registered corporations by amount of investor commitments as at end 2015 were Xeraya Capital Sdn Bhd, Malaysian Life Sciences Capital Fund Management Ltd and the country’s largest venture fund Malaysian Venture Capital Management Bhd (MAVCAP). Xeraya Capital is linked to state investment arm Khazanah Nasional Bhd venture firm. Malaysian Life Sciences Capital Fund L.P. is a co-sponsored fund of Malaysian Technology Development Corporation Sdn Bhd, Burrill Venture Capital, Xeraya Capital and Spruce Capital Partners LLC specializing in early stage and late stage investments. It primarily invest in the areas of agriculture , industrial, and healthcare biotechnology in Malaysia.

2015 investments dipped 31.6%At the end of the year under review, the total investments decreased by 31.58 per cent to MYR2.22 billion ($540 million), from MYR3.25 billion ($790 million) as at the end of 2014. Investments made in 2015 stood at MYR365 million as compared to MYR318 million in 2014 representing an increase of 14.78 per cent year-on-year, with a total of 74 investee companies received funding, the same figure recorded in 2014. Divestments also saw a decline, of 3.33 per cent from MYR421 million ($102.36 million) in 2014 to MYR407 million ($98.95 million) in 2015. In this regard, 38 investee companies were divested in 2015 as compared to 59 companies in 2014. Divestments recorded during the year were mainly through trade sales and IPOs or sale to public markets, SC reported.

There are 121 registered VCPE corporations as at December 31, 2015. Over the course of 2015, three companies were de-registered and 12 new registrations were approved, SC reported. With the VC PE Guidelines in effect in 2015, two additional types of registered corporations were introduced: PE Management Corporations (PEMC) and PE Corporations (PEC). DWA Private Equity Sdn Bhd and Maybank Private Equity Sdn Bhd were registered as PEMCs, with the latter completed its conversion from VCMC. As of end 2015, the number of VC and PE professionals employed in the industry with at least four years of experiences stood at 229.

The industry


EPC contract for Sarawak phosphate additives plant to be awarded soon

THE award for the engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contract for the multi-billion ringgit phosphate additives plant being planned for Sarawak will be announced next week.

While on the face of it this may not be too exciting a development, it is part of a chain of events that will eventually lead to the completion of a reverse takeover of a little known Singapore-listed company called OLS Enterprise Ltd by one of the shareholders of the phosphate plant project.

In essence, a 40% stake in the planned integrated phosphate complex, which will be located in the Samalaju Industrial Park, Bintulu Sarawak, is being injected into OLS.

The said 40% stake is partly owned by Malaysian Technology Development Corporation Sdn Bhd (MTDC), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Khazanah Nasional Bhd, together with several parties.

This means that MTDC will end up as one of the major shareholders of OLS.

OLS announced the reverse takeover proposal in May last year, involving a deal worth about US$222mil, according to filings on Singapore Exchange.

Essentially, a company called Malaysian Phosphate Additives Sdn Bhd (MPA) is being injected into OLS.

The owners of MPA are MTDC and private individuals, a joint venture that had began years ago to embark on building up phospate additive plants. MPA already has a 30,000m metric tonnes a year phosphate plant in Lumut, Perak.

MPA’s mainstay now is its 40% equity in Malaysian Phosphate Additives (Sarawak) Sdn Bhd (MPAS), which is the owner of the planned phosphate derivatives complex in Sarawak that aims to produce 16 times more than the Lumut plant, with a capacity of 500,000 mt a year. The other sharehodlers of the latter are Cahya Mata Sarawak Bhd and Tradewinds Corp Bhd that own 40% and 20% respectively.

It is understood that the RTO exercise will enable MPA to tap into Singapore market to raise funds for their portion of the RM1.9bil project.

The phosphate additives plant is reportedly to commence operations in 2018 and had already completed ground preparations for construction of the first phase.

The RTO is to be satisfied fully through an allotment and issue of OLS shares. The issue price is yet to be determined.

Upon the completion of the proposed acquisition of MPA, MTDC would own about 40% in MPA.

Under the proposed acquisition of MPA, OLS will inject RM10mil in MPA through a subscription of MPA convertible notes, which has 3% interest rate a year.

The sum would be fully convertible into MPA shares of about 5% stake upon successful completion of the proposed acquisition.

The phosphate additive complex in Sarawak is estimated to have an annual production capacity of 500,000 metric tonnes, making it the largest in South-East Asia.

The complex is also expected

to produce 900,000 tonnes per annum of coke and 100,000 tonnes per annum of ammonia, it has been reported.

Food phosphate is used mainly in crude palm oil refining and in the production of various types of food and beverages, cola fizzy drinks, food source for cakes and noodles while fertiliser phosphate is used in the production of compound fertiliser, nitrogen phosphorous potassium.

Sources said that the financing of the project is expected to be finalised after the EPC contract is signed.

It has been reported that the one of the main shareholder in MPAS, Cahya Mata Sarawak has announced a plan to raise RM1bil sukuk to partly finance its 40% stake in the plant.

“The main advantages to open a plant in Samalaju is because of cheaper electricity rate compared to in Peninsular Malaysia.

“It is also within the proximity of the Samalaju Port that would reduce the cost for logistics significantly and cheaper land price in the area compared to Lumut,” said an analyst.

It has been reported that MPA has signed a power purchase agreement term sheet with Syarikat Sesco Bhd, a unit of Sarawak Energy Bhd, for the supply of 150MW of power for the phosphate complex project.

It is understood that MPAS’s annual average revenue is estimated at RM2.9bil of which over 80% would be from export income.

The plant will provide jobs to some 1,200 people, including engineers and project supervisors.

Industries which are in operation in Samalaju Industrial Park are Press Metal Bhd’s aluminium smelter, Japan’s Tokuyama Corp’s polycrystalline silicon plant, OM Materials (Sarawak) Sdn Bhd’s ferro silicon smelting plant and SIG Gases Bhd’s industrial gas plant.

Source : The Star Source: Bernama

Dagang Halal set to be world’s largest digital halal market place

KUALA LUMPUR: DagangHalal Plc is poised to become the world’s largest digital Halal marketplace and a focal centre for the global halal industry following a successful listing in London, says Managing Director, Datuk Muhadzir Mohd Isa.

With the listing, DagangHalal is now well-positioned to capitalise on the growth in global ecommerce sales, which are expected to reach US$4.9 trillion (RM19.1 trillion) in 2020.

“We believe we are in the right industry, and that we have the right business model and the right footing to benefit from the rising spending power of Muslim consumers which is projected to increase to US$5.3 trillion by 2020,” he said at a media briefing in Kuala Lumpur.

DagangHalal, the world’s first global e-marketplace to address the need for halal verification, was successfully listed on London’s ICAP Securities and Derivatives Exchange (ISDX) Growth Market on April 7, at a placing price of 25p.

Gross proceeds of about £4.2mil (RM23.8mil) have been raised by way of a subscription of £3.9mil from Malaysian investors and a placing of £0.3mil from UK investors.

The subscription raised about RM22.4mil as part of a pre-admission fundraising including about RM5.4mil from the Malaysia Technology Development Corp, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Khazanah N a s i o n a l M a l a y s i a , t h e sovereign wealth fund of the Government.

DagangHalal Chief Executive Officer Mohamed Hazli Mohamed Hussain at the same briefing said the purpose of the listing on London ISDX was for the company to

easily gain global recognition and endorsement, and to help highlight DagangHalal’s business profile worldwide.

He said net proceeds of about £3.6mil (RM20.4mil) from the listing will be used to accelerate the company’s growth strategy and expansion plan into new territories, and to further develop the Group’s platform, products and proprietary technology.

“Proceeds from the listing will be used to upgrade our halal certificate repository system which includes a halal verified engine (HVE) and halal certificate management system (HCMS), to further develop the current e-commerce platform and a new mobile application for the consumer.

“Collaboration agreements with other certified bodies (CBs) will also be expanded, growing the group’s ecosystem in existing core markets, by expanding activities into new geographies targeting Indonesia, China and Japan, through increasing the number of Halal CB partners,” he said.

The HVE was jointly developed by DagangHalal and the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (Jakim).

Collaboration agreements have been signed with 36 out of 70 international CBs recognised by Jakim.

“The group’s overall objective is to promote halal trade by facilitating and simplifying halal business transactions anywhere and anytime, through the usage of information technology.

“Ultimately, the company aims to anchor a World Digital Halal Exchange by 2020,” he added.

Booths showcasing halal products from various countries are seen at the KL Convention Centre during the World Halal week last month. - Bernama pic


Usahawan di bawah dana MOSTI diminta komersialkan hasil penyelidikan untuk kegunaan umumTiada ada yang tidak kena dengan hasil penyelidikan saintis tempatan di mana mana juga sama ada institusi penyelidikan dan universiti awam atau syarikat persendirian.

Hanya satu masalah yang sering membelenggu mereka iaitu bagaimana menjualnya untuk kegunaan umum kerana penyelidik atau pereka cipta bukan pakar pemasaran dan pengkomersialan.

Justeru, apabila kerajaan menerusi Kementerian Sains, Teknologi dan Inovasi (MOSTI) memperkenal Tahun Pengkomersialan sejak 2010 sehinggalah kepada Tahun Pengkomersialan Malaysia (MCY) 2016, ada cabaran besar menanti iaitu sejauh mana pengguna atau rakyat Malaysia secara keseluruhannya menerima produk berkenaan.

Stigma telah lama bersarang dalam kalangan pengguna kita antaranya termasuklah produk import lebih berkualiti berbanding tempatan dan mengagungkan jenama luar negara.

Penyelidik di universiti pula tidak melihat sejauh mana hasil penyelidikan tersebut perlu dijual atau sebaliknya kerana bagi mereka, menerbitkan jurnal dan melahirkan pelajar sarjana dan doktor falsafah lebih penting, sekurang-kurangnya sebagai penanda aras untuk kenaikan pangkat.

Namun bagi MOSTI, tidak ada yang lebih membanggakan apabila duit rakyat yang digunakan untuk penyelidikan menerusi pelbagai dana menghasilkan dua kejayaan iaitu usahawan dan produk untuk kegunaan orang ramai.

Pengumuman telah dibuat beberapa kali sebelum ini, bahawa kementerian berkenaan menjangkakan 145 lagi produk hasil penyelidikan dan pembangunan (R&D) dikomersialkan tahun ini.

Sehingga April lalu, sebanyak 132 daripada 360 produk inovasi yang disasarkan pada 2020, dihasilkan oleh institusi penyelidikan, universiti dan

agensi pembangunan teknologi, telah memasuki pasaran.

Ia sejajar dengan matlamat MCY 2016, untuk mengkomersialkan 147 produk sehingga hujung tahun ini. Timbalan Menterinya, Datuk Dr. Abu Bakar Mohamad Diah berkata, kejayaan hasil R&D bukan dapat dinikmati dalam tempoh masa yang singkat, sebaliknya mengharungi beberapa fasa dan memerlukan dana tertentu mengikut peringkat pengkomersialan.

“Tidak ada saat yang paling menggembirakan (apabila) melihat wang yang kita belanjakan (dana R&D) menghasilkan produk untuk dimanfaatkan,” ujarnya.

Beliau menyatakan demikian dalam sidang akhbar sempena pelancaran tujuh produk syarikat BioNexus sempena persidangan dan pameran BioMalaysia dan Bioekonomi Asia Pasifik edisi ke-14 di ibu negara baru-baru ini.

Beliau berkata, kerja-kerja penyelidikan produk yang dilancarkan itu berkemungkinan dimulakan pada Rancangan Malaysia Kesembilan (RMK-9) atau RMK-10 menunjukkan

ia mengambil masa panjang untuk dihasilkan sebelum menjadi satu hasil yang boleh dikomersialkan.

Terdahulu dalam ucapannya beliau meminta usahawan yang berhasrat mengkomersialkan produk mereka supaya bermula dari peringkat yang mudah dan perlu belajar dari bawah.

“Mungkin kita perlu merendah diri dahulu atau mula jual di pasar malam, ” ujarnya.

Dalam pada itu beliau memberitahu, penganjuran program tersebut adalah sejajar dengan matlamat kementeriannya mengembangkan industri bioteknologi yang dterajui Malaysia Biotechnology Corporation (BiotechCorp) atau nama baharunya BioEconomy dengan pelancaran produk syarikat BioNexus membuktikan kejayaan syarikat industri kecil dan sederhana (IKS).

Penganjuran progam kali ini yang dihadiri kira-kira 10,000 pelawat dan 200 pempamer yang bertemakan Memberi Nilai Tambah Ekonomi Menerusi Teknologi Berasaskan Bio adalah bertujuan membantu industri bioteknologi berkembang

di rantau Asia Pasifik dan sebagai platform berkongsi perkembangan terkini bidang sains dan perniagaan daripada pemain industri.

Pengerusi BiotechCorp, Prof. Tan Sri Zakri Abdul Hamid pula berkata, produk yang dihasilkan oleh syarikat yang diberi taraf BioNexus boleh membantu meningkatkan keyakinan pengguna dan mempromosikan aktiviti ekonomi domestik.

“Produk yang dilancarkan hari ini dapat menyumbangkan hasil dan merangsang pertumbuhan ekonomi. Janaan hasil daripada syarikat berstatus BioNexus telah meningkat sebanyak 50 peratus dari 2012 hingga 2015 dengan jumlah RM1.53 bilion dicatatkan pada tahun lalu,’’ kata beliau.

Dalam pada itu, Ketua Pegawai Eksekutif BioEconomy Corp, Datuk Dr. Mohd. Nazlee Kamal berkata, pelancaran produk

BioNexus dapat mempercepat agenda bioekonomi dengan memfokuskan komoditi perniagaan kepada produk bernilai tinggi dengan diberi nilai tambah dengan memanfaatkan bioteknologi.

“Oleh kerana kita telah memasuki Revolusi Industri Keempat, kita mahu pemain industri berasasakan bio dalam rakyat Malaysia memanfaatkan gabungan teknologi utama seperti bioteknologi, teknologi nano, teknologi digital atau biologi sintetik untuk menjana produk baharu yang inovatif dan pasaran baharu dan yang sedia ada,’’ujarnya.

Kesemua produk hasil keluaran syarikat BioNexus boleh didapati di kedai-kedai BioShoppe selain mendapatkan secara atas talian menerusi lazada.com.my

Source : Utusan Online


MOSTI sasar komersialkan produk inovasi

GEORGETOWN: Kerajaan sudah memperuntukkan sejumlah RM25 juta bagi memastikan 80 produk penyelidik tempatan dapat dikomersialkan sepanjang tahun ini. Timbalan Menteri Sains, Teknologi, dan Inovasi (MOSTI), Datuk Dr Abu Bakar Mohamad Diah, berkata pihaknya memperuntukkan sehingga RM500,000 di bawah program Geran Inovasi Sosial bagi membantu pengeluaran setiap produk yang dihasilkan penyelidik.

Katanya, penyelidik sememangnya digalak melakukan penyelidikan produk yang berpotensi agar manfaatnya dapat dirasai masyarakat. “Pengkomersialan produk penyelidikan terbahagi kepada banyak kategori termasuk elektronik, pertanian, akademik dan lain-lain lagi yang mampu membantu masyarakat melalui inovasi terbaharu itu.

“Langkah pengkomersialan ini bertujuan membantu membina kemahiran baharu dalam kalangan masyarakat dan meningkatkan pendapatan penyelidik,” katanya pada sidang media selepas merasmikan Kongres Antarabangsa Malakologi 2016 di sini, pagi tadi. Kongres yang pertama kalinya diadakan

di Malaysia itu dianjurkan Pusat Pengajian Sains Kajihayat, Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM). Sementara itu, beliau berkata, penyelidik USM turut diiktiraf di peringkat antarabangsa apabila kajian spesies tiram yang dilaksanakan sejak 25 tahun lalu, berjaya menghasilkan

benih berkualiti yang mampu memberikan hasil kira-kira 2,000 tiram dalam tempoh sebulan. “Inovasi ini memberi manfaat kepada nelayan apabila pendapatan bulanan mereka sejak empat tahun lalu, berjaya ditingkatkan kepada iaitu kira-kira RM4,500 sebulan bagi jumlah tiram yang dituai. “MOSTI sedia terus membantu lebih banyak pengkomersialan inovasi daripada USM yang mampu mengubah hidup masyarakat serta memberi manfaat kepada pendapatan negara,” katanya.

Timbalan Menteri Sains, Teknologi dan Inovasi, Datuk Dr Abu Bakar Mohamad Diah semasa sidang media selepas merasmikan kongres antarabangsa berkaitan kajian kerang-kerangan dan siput, World Congress of Malacology 2016 (WCM2016) kali ke-19 di Hotel Jen, Georgetown. - foto Shahnaz Fazlie Shahrizal

Source : BH Online

MTDC wujud syarikat bernilai RM100 juta

Norhalim Yunus (dua dari kanan) beramah mesra dengan anak-anak yatim dari Rumah Anak Kesayanganku Bukit Beruntung dan Rumah Anak Yatim Darul Fuqahah Bangi pada Majlis Jalinan Inovasi Aidilfitri Komuniti Disayangi 2016 anjuran MTDC di Kuala Lumpur, semalam. utusan/Mohd. Farizwan Hasbullah

KUALA LUMPUR 14 Julai - Malaysia Technology De -velopment Corporation Sdn. Bhd. (MTDC) yakin syarikat penerima da nanya yang mempunyai nilai RM1 bilion dapat disenaraikan di Bursa Malaysia menjelang akhir tahun ini.

Ketua Pegawai Eksekutifnya, Datuk Norhalim Yunus berkata, penyenaraian syarikat penerima dana tersebut sejajar dengan rancangan jangka sederhana MTDC untuk mewujudkan lebih ba nyak syarikat bernilai RM100 juta menjelang tahun 2020.

Beliau berkata, pihaknya

mahu syarikat-syarikat yang menerima dana MTDC memperluas kan perniagaan mereka untuk menjadi lebih maju dan berdaya saing dengan menerokai pasaran eksport.

“Syarikat yang dijangka dapat disenaraikan tersebut adalah Malaysian Phosphate Additive Sdn. Bhd. yang terlibat dalam sektor kimia dan nilai syarikat kira-kira RM1 bilion.

“Selain itu, sektor minyak dan gas juga antara sektor yang diberi tumpuan kerana sudah terdapat beberapa syarikat tempatan termasuk bumiputera yang telah mengeksport produk mereka ke luar negara. Sektor

Ciptaan pelajar UNITEN raih anugerahKUALA LUMPUR : Kejayaan menghasilkan produk daripada sabut kelapa dan hampas tebu untuk meningkatkan tahap keselamatan penghadang jalan raya membolehkan pelajar Universiti Tenaga Nasional (UNITEN) memenangi pingat emas di Ekspo Teknologi Malaysia (MTE) 2016 di sini, kelmarin.

Pelajar semester kedua pengajian doktor falsafah (PhD) Kejuruteraan Mekanikal Zulkarnain Jamak berkata, lebih 400 produk disenaraikan dalam pertandingan yang berlangsung pada 18 hingga 20 Februari lalu.

Menurutnya, walaupun itu adalah penyertaan pertamanya bersama pasukan UNITEN namun semangat berpasukan membuatkan mereka mampu menghadapi segala cabaran di dalam pertandingan itu.

“Antara fokus yang dibuat dalam kajian ‘High Impact Guardrail Using Recycle Materials’ adalah membabitkan bahan buangan terpakai seperti sabut kelapa dan hampas tebu.

“Adunan dan penghasilan semula bahan terpakai ini mampu

Tinggi Swasta (IPTS), Majlis Amanah Rakyat (MARA) dan Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka (UTEM).

Ia dianjurkan menerusi kerjasama antara Kementerian Sains, Teknologi dan Inovasi (MOSTI), Kementerian Pengajian Tinggi (KPT), Kementerian

Pendidikan (KPM), Perbadanan Pembangunan Teknologi Malaysia (MTDC), Pusat Pembangunan Rekabentuk Malaysia (DDEC), Agensi Nuklear Malaysia (Nuklear Malaysia) dan Protemp Sdn Bhd.

meningkatkan tahap keselamatan sesebuah penghadang jalan raya, sekali gus menyelamatkan nyawa pengguna,” katanya menerusi kenyataan di sini, semalam.

Pertandingan itu menghimpunkan pelbagai produk penyelidikan untuk diketengahkan kepada masyarakat dan industri. Selain

UNITEN, antara pasukan yang menyertai pertandingan itu ialah Maktab Rendah Sains Mara (MRSM), Sekolah Menengah Sains, Universiti Teknologi Petronas (UTP), Institut Latihan Perindustrian (ILP), universiti awam (UA), Institusi Pengajian

lain yang diberi penekanan adalah makanan dan perubatan termasuk peralatan perubatan,” katanya.

Beliau berkata demikian ketika ditemui pada Majlis Jalinan Inovasi Aidilfitri Komuniti Disayangi MTDC di sini hari ini.

Yang turut hadir Timbalan Menteri Sains, Teknologi dan Inovasi, Datuk Dr. Abu Bakar Mohamad Diah.

Majlis dihadiri oleh kira-kira 1,200 jemputan terdiri daripada penerima dana MTDC itu turut meraikan anak-anak yatim.

Norhalim berkata, majlis ter-babit bukan sahaja diadakan untuk meraikan penerima dana sempena Hari Raya tetapi juga dapat memberi peluang kepada golongan terbabit berinteraksi sesama sendiri dan mewujudkan peluang usahasama.

“Pada majlis begini mereka boleh bertemu dan mencari pe luang perniagaan serta usahasama antara satu sama lain. Selain itu, syarikat-syarikat baharu juga dapat menimba ilmu daripada syarikat-syarikat yang telah berjaya,” ujarnya.

Peruntukan sehingga

RM500.000 dibawah program

Geran Inovasi

Source : Utusan Online

Source : Mymetro


Refining Malaysia’s innovation ecosystemIn an ideal innovative world, an academic comes up with a brilliant idea, a corporation buys it, mass produces the product and makes a fortune, the academic gets promoted, the university rating goes up and the country becomes prosperous. In reality, corporations and universities are two very different institutions with vastly diverged culture and motivation. Universities gear their rewards towards producing high-indexed innovative research or papers, whereas industry wants to get the best bang for its buck.

The result is a sub-optimal level of innovation and value creation, not to mention finger-pointing. On one hand, the ingrained labelling by industry practitioners is that universities in Malaysia are disconnected from reality. Worse is when practitioners begin to ignore universities altogether. On the other, researchers are uncomfortable with corporations being too hung up over bottom lines and intellectual property. Another important factor is a lack of patriotism when it comes

to appreciating local innovation. According to Universiti Malaya professors Rajah Rasiah and Xiao-Shan Yap in the Global Innovation Index 2015 report, the chronic deficit in royalty and licensing fee receipts and payments demonstrates the country’s continuous heavy reliance on foreign technology and services. It means that Malaysian firms don’t reject innovation outright, but they have been more outward rather than inward looking.

For a country that aims to break into the advanced economy league, innovation in our country isn’t in a great state and this is reflected by various indicators. Take for example, manufacturing value added (MVA) per capita which captures the country’s level of industrialisation.

This sector is relevant to the debate because innovation is at the heart of making things. Statistics from the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO) show that Malaysia’s MVA per capita only grew by a measly 6.2

per cent between 2008 and 2013, when other countries are growing much faster. South Korea grew 23.8 per cent, Singapore (22.4 per cent) and China (44.9 per cent) over the same period.

In addition, the share of medium and high technology MVA in Malaysia’s manufacturing, capturing the technological complexity of this sector is only 42.1 per cent in 2013, while China, South Korea and Singapore’s shares are 44 per cent, 63.1 per cent and 81.2 per cent respectively. While the figures above paint a gloomy picture, it also shows that our universities can play a much greater role in driving innovation.

During a conference in Universiti Sains Malaysia last year, Deputy Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Datuk Dr Abu Bakar Mohamad Diah revealed that despite RM924 million being allocated for research projects in the 10th Malaysia Plan, only 63 products were successfully commercialised. He, thus, urged researchers to focus on

products with commercial potential.

Overcoming cultural differences and making industry-university partnership work require a huge leap. Needless to say, distortionary incentives that lead to academics churning out hundreds of ideas which end up being bottled up on shelves must be done away with. But at the same time, expecting researchers to worry about the bankability of their outputs could be a tad too much.

In other words, let’s leave the right tasks to the right people. While it’s reasonable to expect researchers to pitch their inventions to corporations, most of the time they aren’t businessmen. They may lack the capability, network or know-how to bring their innovative products to the marketplace and make them sell well — these are the forte of entrepreneurs and firms.

Here is where the role of intermediaries — organisations that function as a connector between industry and universities — comes to play. There are several models around such as incubators, cluster networks, venture capitalists, alliances, and technology transfer offices.

In Malaysia, a number of government agencies have been set up for such

purpose, such as the Malaysian Industry-Government Group for High Technology (MIGHT) and Collaborative Research in Engineering, Science and Technology (CREST), but there are also non-governmental and non-profit outfits around.

One such outfit is the Human Life Advancement Foundation that seeks to increase higher commercialisation rate of university research in the field of science, technology and sustainability, such as renewable energy, sustainable agriculture and biotechnology through its capacity building and networking programmes with investors and corporations. They are less visible to the public due to their size, but they can certainly act as a “catapult centre” if given necessary support.

In short, our government has never been idle in sparking greater industry-academia collaboration. But, in a world where the rest are moving fast if not faster, perhaps encouraging more market solutions to close the industry-academia divide and moving further away from depending on government grants is the more efficient way to go.

Bioalpha banks on Indonesian,Chinese markets for growth

BANGI: Bioalpha Holdings Bhd is banking on its export markets in Indonesia and China to boost the group’s top line growth in the next two years.

The firm, which produces halal-certified herbal and non-herbal based health supplement products, said that to date, Indonesia was its core market and expected sales from the region to grow by 50% in the next two years.

At present, Indonesia sales made up more than 48%, or RM14mil, to the group’s turnover in financial year 2015 (FY15).

“Indonesia’s market is still growing and in the last five years it has a compounded annual growth rate of about 37%,” managing director William Hon Tian Kok told StarBiz recently.

Hon said Bioalpha had gone into Indonesia after it recognised the huge potential in the market to offer its halal-certified products.

“The risk in Indonesia is also lower because we have existed in the market since 2007 via our first sales office there,” noted Hon.

But Hon has bigger plans for Indonesia, saying that the

company aimed to turn its repackaging facility in the Riau province to a fully-fledged manufacturing plant in the long term.

In May, Bioalpha’s unit Bioalpha International Sdn Bhd had entered into 60:40 joint venture with Mutia Restiana, a well-connected Indonesian to set up PT Herbal Malindo Makmur, for US$250,000.

This was funded via internally generated funds.

Hon said the PT Herbal’s acquisition not only solved product registration issues in Indonesia, but also enabled the group to repackage their semi-finished products in a 4,000 sq ft repackaging facility in Indonesia to be ready this August.

Inevitably, the acquisition will also widen Bioalpa’s market share via small and medium enterprises and multinational corporations in Indonesia, and enable its existing clients in Malaysia to offer their products there, according to Hon.

The group intends to double the number of product launches to 20 products in Indonesia by the end of 2017.Bioalpha’s second largest export

market is China and it made up about 28% of the group’s revenue or RM8.3mil in FY15.

While Bioalpha was backed by its strong research and development centre, Hon said the demand from China was a result of aggressive advertising and promotional activities that started in 2014.

“We have about five original design manufacturers in Beijing.

“And our focus will be the Muslim populated areas like Lanzhou, Xi’an, Xinjiang and Qinghai and we have identified four distributors in these provinces,” he said, adding that Bioalpla already has presence in the southern and central part of China.

On the local front, Hon revealed that it was on the lookout to expand its retail chain of pharmacies via merger and acquisitions, with the idea of franchising them in the near term.

Bioalpha now owns 13 retail pharmacies under the brandname Constant, mainly in the Klang Valley.

Hon said Bioalpha bought Mediconstant Holding Sdn Bhd

for RM5mil last year from Ng See Hein and Loh Peng Yeow in December last year with the aim to expand its housebrand supplements.

“This not only reduce marketing costs but enable us to reach out to customers via new formulations,” he said. adding that domestic sales is expected to grow by 40% in the next two years.

The company also has a 70:30 joint venture with MyAngkasa Holdings Sdn Bhd, the country’s largest cooperative organisation.

MyAngkasa is a subsidiary of Angkatan Koperasi Kebanngsaan Malaysia Bhd that has 10,000 cooperatives under its umbrella and eight million members.

“The earnings potential from this JV is also huge considering that the members can purchase our products on a special discount from our retail pharmacies,” he added.

Bioalpha has its own organic herbal farms in Desaru in Johor and Pasir Raja in Trengganu.

More than 20 types of herbs are being harvested at its 300-acre land in Desaru, Kota Tinggi.

The other is a 1,000-acre farm in Pasir Raja, of which 123 acres are harvested, while the remaining 877 acres are currently being cleared.

Hon said the company expected

to produce about 400 metric tonnes of herbal medicines by 2020.

The group is also known for its inhouse liquid fermentation process that is able to produce medicinal mushrooms strains.

One of its bestsellers include tiger milk mushrooms, traditionally used to cure respiratory problems.

Noteworthy is Bioalpha’s market capitalisation, which has more than doubled to about RM200mil now, compared to when it was first listed in the Ace Market in April, last year.

The company has dividend policy of 30% of profit after tax and has recently proposed for a bonus issue of 166,666,666 new ordinary shares of RM0.05 each in the company on the basis of one bonus share for every three existing Bioalpha shares held at an entitlement date to be determined later.

Hon is currently the major shareholder with a 17% stake, followed by Malaysian Technology Development Corp 16.1% interest and Perbadanan Nasional Bhd 10.3%.

Shares of Bioalpha closed unchanged at 38 sen , arriving at a market capitalisation of RM190mil.

Source : NST Online



PM Najib witnesses RM44.3m contract exchange for ‘Upin Ipin’ drink manufacturing

More Eclimo EV scooters to enter Cambodian market

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysian-owned Eclimo Sdn Bhd, the manufacturer of environmentally-friendly and energy efficient electric scooters, plans to sell another 100 units to Cambodia this year in addition to three units sold earlier.

Director Datuk Dennis Chuah said the company was also awaiting approval from the Japanese government which was keen to buy its scooters through a special aid fund.

The scooters will be used as the electric “Tuk Tuk” or “e-TUG-Moto” to ferry tourists around the Angkor Watt area, he said at the launch of the scooter for the export market and online application to rent the scooters locally.

Present were Minister of International Trade and Industry Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed and Malaysia External Trade Development Corp (Matrade) chief executive officer Datuk Dzulkifli Mahmud.

Eclimo’s venture into the Cambodian market was assisted by Matrade through its Market Linkage Progamme which saw the introduction of the Internet of Thing (IoT) features which had garnered the interest of Cambodian commercial partners and the debut of the brand there.

“We are very much focused on Cambodia due to its heritage sites which were drawing tourists

PUTRAJAYA: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak today witnessed the exchange of a contract worth RM44.36 million for the production of a nutritional drink under the ‘Upin Ipin’ brand. The collaboration is between two Bumiputera companies, MGV Industries Sdn Bhd and Les’ Copaque Sdn Bhd, via its subsidiary UI Trading Sdn Bhd. Under the agreement, MGV Industries will produce chocolate malt drinks using the popular children’s cartoon characters, which are hugely popular in both the Malaysia and Indonesian market.

Present at the event were Works Ministry Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Abdul Rahman Dahlan, who is also Bumiputera Agenda Steering Unit (Teraju) chairman, and Teraju chief executive officer

by the droves. Taxis operating in the Angkor Watt area have risen to about 10,000 units due to the increase in tourist arrivals of about four million last year.

“There is a huge demand for this e-scooter and currently we only have three scooters operating in the area,” said Chuah.

As for the local market, he said the scooter would be available for rent in Penang for RM50 per day.

“The reason why we don’t sell the scooter is because the production cost is still high and the battery cost is about 50% of the cost.

“Currently, we lease the scooters to our clients including KFC, police and certain government agencies,” he said, adding that the scooter could retail for RM18,000 if sold to the public.

Meanwhile, on Malaysia’s aspiration to have more than 100,000 electric motorcycles traversing roads by 2020, Mustapa said the government has received several applications which is being processed by the Malaysia Investment Development Authority.

“We still got five years to go, we are encouraging more companies to come up with the technologies for electric motorcycles or scooters,” he added.

Datuk Husni Salleh. Husni said such a collaboration would further strengthen the High Performing Bumiputera SME Programme, better known as Teras. “This is the fourth strategic collaboration inked among Teras companies involving a contract value of more than RM600 million,” he said.

Les’ Copaque managing-director Burhanuddin Md Radzi said the cooperation with MGV industries would create a win-win outcome for both sides. He said the company would use the popular ‘Upin Ipin’ brand to market the nutritional drink in Malaysia and eventually in Indonesia where the brand is also popular. MGV Industries group managing director Zakaria Jusoh said the company can produce one million bottles of the chocolate malt drink every month.

Source : NST Online


Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak today witnessed the exchange of a contract worth RM44.36 million for the production of a nutritional drink under the “Upin Ipin” brand.

Chuah with some of Eclimo’s electric scooters. He says the scooters will be available for rent in Penang for RM50 per day.


Tech it home Unlocking the culture of innovation

THE pursuit of their dreams is what fires up entrepreneurs. But with the thrill of the chase comes responsibility — you are accountable for the success, as well as the failings, of your business.

“Putting the blame on other factors is the easiest way out because then we don’t have to improve ourselves,” says Aziz Ismail, founder and CEO of cloud-based enterprise solutions company, Authentic Ventures.

“But being an entrepreneur means what matters more is how much you help yourself, rather than how much help others give to you,” he explains.

The 55-year-old was a power plant control engineer with Tenaga Nasional for seven years before he joined multinational companies (MNC) in the control systems industry. Eventually, he struck out on his own.

It’s all in line with his personal belief about “taking charge of his life”.Once, when interviewing for a position with a MNC, Aziz relates, he told his interviewer that he aimed to become the CEO of the company’s Malaysia operations within three years of employment.

“After I had worked three years, they pointed out that the CEO was still around, then appointed me to head the Indonesia operations,” he laughs.

Aziz didn’t take the position, though. Instead, he joined another MNC as CEO and stayed on in Malaysia. He was 34 at the time.

“I was comfortable with life as a CEO. But I decided I could do more by becoming an entrepreneur, developing my own products. I wanted to change the Malaysian mindset from distributing foreign products to developing our

own technologies. And, in the process, create jobs too,” he says.

And so after four years, Aziz left his job to start his own company, Digital Aura, in 1998 to develop software for the control systems used in the oil and gas industry. He had 30 local workers.

At one point, Digital Aura had 13 projects valued at over RM24mil in its portfolio from clients in Malaysia and the Middle East. In fact, they set up office in Baghdad, Iraq, to collaborate with a local partner.

Things went swimmingly, until 2002 when he was warned about a second Gulf War. That put the brakes on his Iraqi operations. The US invaded Iraq in 2003.

Though disappointed, Aziz started to look at the Malaysian market.

“I realised the SME market was underserved when it comes to applications that help them to run their business more efficiently,” he says.

It was in 2002 that he set up Authentic Ventures with RM500,000 in capital and focused on enterprise solutions for SMEs.

“You need to be prepared for the bleed rate, and you need the staying power until the product meets the market’s expectations

Over the past decades, creativity and innovation have become critical skills in unleashing novel ideas and inventions to keep up with the global economy.

When a country creates and markets new technology, the whole world will gravitate towards it. Isn’t it mind-boggling that a couple of decades ago, touchscreen technology was only featured in science fiction films?

But now, that is how most people all around the globe interface with technology — when using smartphones, tablets, computer monitors and game devices, to name a few. Science and technology have evolved tremendously, that as the discussions on “Internet of Things” put it, the new rule of the future is: “anything that can be connected, will be connected”.

In other words, with the rapid growth of technology, we simply cannot afford to be left behind. Now, several questions may come to mind. What are the determinants of creativity and innovation? And what can we learn from the most creative and innovative? Looking at the massive global impact made by the innovation’s powerhouse Silicon Valley, a cultural norm that can be identified is tolerance for failure. As start-ups require risk-taking, tolerance for failure creates the confidence to try and take the risk of exploring the potential of the invention. Silicon Valley also seizes the culture of not being afraid to “disrupt the status quo”.

Based on the Global Innovation Index Report 2016, Switzerland was named the most innovative country in the world. Switzerland puts education as its greatest capital, fixating on both academic achievement and vocational training, besides putting focus on patent applications and cutting-edge technology.

So, what does it actually mean to be creative and innovative? As we are well aware, there is no innovation without creativity, as they go hand in hand. While creativity means producing new ideas, innovative refers to the implementation of that creativity. Besides bringing beneficial change to a person, creativity and innovation also create commercial value, turning innovative technology into economic success. Acknowledging the importance

for Malaysia to vigorously and perpetually involve in the global race of innovation, the government announced the National Science, Technology and Innovation Policy (NSTIP) in 2013. It aims to assist Malaysia’s path to an innovation economy by 2020. Though measures to promote innovation have been carried out by the government, through the likes of financial incentives, public-private partnerships and research and development infrastructures, these merely serve as catalysts to form a vibrant innovation ecosystem. Steve Jobs

and becomes sellable,” he says.Aziz set up shop in a rented office at Leisure Commerce Square, Petaling Jaya, with seven workers, mainly software programmers.

Their first software, on asset management, mainly targeted building owners.

It was tough going, as development costs were high and customers limited. You took what you could get.“When I was a MNC CEO, I had the luxury of selecting my clients, focusing more on good paymasters. But as a startup, we couldn’t choose our customers, and we had many clients who did not pay us, up to RM1mil,” he remembers.

It was only when the cloud became a phenomenon in 2009 that they developed their cloud-based software solutions called Office Central, which encompassed such tasks as accounting, payroll, HR and customer relationship management. They launched it in 2012.

While they only had 15 corporate customers before, today they have grown their client base to over 10,000 users, with SMEs making up some 80% of them.

“We’ve invested over RM1.5mil to date and are continually upgrading the software. And our clients get to use it for a subscription fee of RM50 per month per user,” he reveals.

Authetic Ventures now operates out of a 3,200 sq ft office at Bangi Business Park, Bangi, with 30 workers and has an overseas office in Jakarta, Indonesia.

“We are focusing on the Indonesia market which has over 55 million SMEs. We will remain focused on our core strength instead of introducing new products,” he concludes.

once stated boldly, as he was returning to Apple after more than a decade of absence, “The cure for Apple is not cost-cutting, it is to innovate its way out of its current predicament”.

Apple is among many other successful companies that prioritise innovation as a key success factor. However, are great innovators born to innovate? Or is it a skill that can be learnt? If Malaysia were to breed top innovative minds like Jobs, what skills do we need to possess, and what needs to change? The key essentials in creating an innovative mind are:

KNOWLEDGE: To continue to expand our knowledge base, to read and explore even in areas we do not usually read about; DETAIL: To observe and use all of our senses in detail to absorb as much information as possible;

PROBLEM-SOLVING: To identify the problem, analyse and then pick the most innovative solution; DESIGN

THINKING: Collaborative and rapid idea generating skills, without judgment and focusing on gaining feedbacks and pivoting ideas, and SYSTEMS

THINKING: Skills to examine the interdependent structures of a dynamic system. What about the most common innovation killers, impacting and curbing the growth of innovation in Malaysia? Looking into our education system, and our culture in general, rote learning, one-way teaching and non-transactive learning may be the possible contributors.

Furthermore, we are still very much constrained by tradition and culture-bound thinking, where expressing ideas that conflict with the older generation or higher-ranked individuals are considered unacceptable.

We are relatively still lacking in open discussions and freedom in expressing our thoughts, which lead to limiting the improvement of knowledge and creativity. In the light of that, our education system should be enhanced to introduce these skills for Malaysians even at an early age, for them to be cultivated fully. However, this change of mindset and culture should also be supported by the older generation — to learn, relearn and, more importantly, to accept that change is crucial.

Reflecting on Malaysia and its creativity and innovation path, it is no doubt that the country has a very large room for improvement. If we, as individuals and as a nation, have the keenest anxiety aroused by the advancement of innovation, then we should desire, and expect, the ability to compete with global innovative giants to propel Malaysia’s competitive edge and eventually to an innovation-led economy.

Aziz Ismail left his comfortable CEO job with a multinational corporation because he wanted to prove that Malaysian companies could develop new technologies rather than just distribute foreign ones.

“We’ve invested over RM1.5mil to date and

are continually upgrading the

software. And our clients get to use it for a subscription

fee of RM50 per month per user,”

Source : The Star Online Source : NST Online


Malaysian Envoy Optimistic about Future of Bilateral Ties, Kazakhstan’s Economy

ASTANA – Malaysian Ambassador to Kazakhstan Dato’ Hidayat Abdul Hamid recently shared his thoughts about developing bilateral relations between the countries and improving trade and business relations as his immediate priorities in Kazakhstan. “Malaysia and Kazakhstan share many common visions and aspirations to make the world a better place to live in, especially for future generations,” he said in an interview with The Astana Times.

Hamid noted Kazakhstan has an excellent foreign policy record and that among Islamic countries, Malaysia and Kazakhstan share an open perspective about modernity and development, tolerance among religions and peaceful coexistence with other beliefs.

Kazakhstan showed exemplary leadership to the Islamic world in aspects such as security, science and technology, economy and trade when it chaired the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) in 2011, he added. The country hosted the World Islamic Economic Forum (WIEF) the same year and launched the Islamic Organisation for Food Security (IOFS) in 2016.

“Kazakhstan is a dynamic country and developing very fast despite the dire challenges facing the world economy,” he said. “I believe Kazakhstan will play the same role when it takes its seat as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) in 2017-2018, the first country from central Asia to do so.”

Kazakhstan is well known for its efforts in nuclear non-proliferation, tolerance among religions and focusing on environmental concerns such as through the promotion of future energy and bio-diversity, he noted.

Bilateral ties between Malaysia and Kazakhstan have developed steadily since diplomatic relations were established in 1992.

“Our relations are on a firm footing and we have signed all the necessary documents,” he said.

He noted recent developments and high-level trips in recent months, including the visits to Kazakhstan by the Malaysian chief justice and attorney general and signing a memorandum of understanding with the Kazakh Prosecutor General.

An additional important milestone was the visit to Astana by the Malaysian Secretary General of the Ministry of Energy, Green Technology and Water (KeTTHA) and inking Malaysia’s participation in EXPO 2017. “We are confident that the expo will be the catalyst to an energetic economic boom for Kazakhstan,” said Hamid, adding Malaysia is very enthusiastic and looking forward to participating in the exhibition. “We support Kazakhstan in its effort to promote future energy and will showcase some of Malaysia’s experience and technological advances in this field,” he noted.Malaysian Prime Minister Dato’ Sri Haji Mohd Najib bin Tun Haji Abdul Razak has travelled to Kazakhstan every year for the last three years on both official and private visits, said the ambassador. The leaders of both countries enjoy a close relationship, exchange calls and consult each other on matters of mutual interest.

Hamid indicated bilateral trade between the countries is far below its true potential and his nation is working hard to advance trade relations.

According to a spokesperson from the Kazakh Embassy in Malaysia, mutual trade between Kazakhstan and Malaysia stood at $76.6 million, with $76.2 million in total exports to Kazakhstan and $396,300 in imports from January-October 2015, reported therakyatpost.com.

Malaysia exported electrical and electronic products, appliances and parts, palm oil, lubricants, rubber products, clothing and furniture to Kazakhstan. Kazakhstan exported ferrous metals, surveying and measuring equipment, tools and pipefittings to Malaysia, noted the website.

The ambassador said business people from both Malaysia and Kazakhstan are cautious because of the current world economic downturn. He added Malaysians believe in the tremendous potential that both countries could work to improve.

The decision of the Kazakh government to introduce a 15-day visa-free regime for Malaysians to visit Kazakhstan has encouraged more Malaysian business people to travel to the country, according to Hamid. He expressed his hope in more Kazakh business executives coming to Malaysia, as they can visit visa free for 30 days.

The Medical Health Tourism Council (MHTC) has identified Kazakhstan as a potential market where Malaysian healthcare can contribute to develop a health industry. About 1,500 Kazakh patients sought medical treatment in Malaysia last year.“The Malaysian Technology Development Corporation (MTDC) has been engaging technocrats and policy makers in Kazakhstan to explore ways of working together to commercialise technological advancements. Several workshops have been organised with the participation of Kazakhs and Malaysians to enhance cooperation. The Malaysian Technical Cooperation Programme (MTCP) has trained officials from Kazakhstan since 1993. Malaysia shares its experience and expertise in all fields with participants from developing countries under this programme,” he said.

He praised the work of the Kazakh government on improving its transportation and logistics systems, such as building a transportation hub in Khorgos, on the border with China, and establishing the Kazakhstan-Turkmenistan-Iran railway service that, according to Hamid, opens the country to the Far East.

The ambassador also expressed optimism about the future of Kazakhstan’s economy.

“The current downslide in oil prices is a blessing in disguise. It is the right time to consolidate and upgrade obsolete and inefficient technology with possibly less costly new high-technology alternatives. Local talents could be nurtured and local expertise developed,” he said.

Hamid outlined improving trade and business relations and reviving the Malaysia-Kazakhstan business council as immediate priorities for his term. He seeks to invite more Kazakh businesses to come to Malaysia.

“Malaysia is also booming now and there are many sectors that we can work on together. Kazakhstan is rich with natural resources and diversifies its economy,” he added.

The ambassador believes the countries can work together to develop small and medium-sized enterprises. He noted a large number of Kazakh students are studying in Malaysia and their families are coming as tourists.

“The more people-to-people contact, the more we would understand each other better, and the trend is already there,” he said. He believes there are similarities in the way Malaysians and Kazakhs live.

“Kazakhs have large families just like us in Malaysia. We feel very comfortable, even some living with grandparents, big families especially during festive holidays like Eid al-Fitr and Ramadan,” he said.

Many Malaysians would like to visit Kazakhstan and learn about the nation’s history, he added.

“You have 500 years of civilisation, famous Islamic philosophers and great thinkers like Al Farabi, historical relics and places like Turkestan that would be of interest to many people around the world,” he said.

“Just being here for the past two years, I am amazed with the development that is going on in Astana alone, like many new buildings and the busy expo site. People in Kazakhstan work very hard and we see the country as a partner for growth, progress and ensuring a successful and peaceful world for everybody,” said Hamid.

Source : The Astana Times


‘MyDerm’ cipta sejarah penghasilan sel tisuKUALA LUMPUR: Setelah berjaya menghasilkan teknologi menghasilkan kulit gantian MyDerm oleh sekumpulan saintis Pusat Penyelidikan Tisu yang diketuai oleh Prof. Datuk Dr. Ruszymah Idrus, kini teknologi berkenaan sedia dikomersialkan dan digunakan oleh pesakit di mana-mana hospital sama ada di dalam atau di luar negara.

Teknologi kulit gantian yang menggabungkan pengetahuan kejuruteraan tisu dan perubatan regeneratif MyDerm menjadi rawatan alternatif bagi pesakit luka kebakaran, trauma dan ulser diabetik.

Timbalan Menteri Kesihatan Datuk Seri Dr. Helmi Yahaya berkata, jika sebelum ini rawatan skin grafting digunakan bagi merawat pesakit melecur akibat kebakaran atau trauma yang biasanya mempunyai banyak kesan sampingan.

“Kini dengan kajian yang dijalankan oleh UKM, sejarah baru teknologi perubatan terhasil dengan MyDerm adalah yang pertama bukan saja di Malaysia tetapi di Asia Tenggara.

“Dan apa yang paling penting, kajian berkenaan dihasilkan oleh anak tempatan,” katanya semasa ucapan sempena majlis Lawatan Timbalan Menteri Kesihatan Bersempena Penganugerahan Malaysia Book of Records.

Bagi mengkomersialkan MyDerm, Pusat Kejuruteraan Tisu yang mewakili Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) menjalinkan kerjasama dengan syarikat terbitan UKM iaitu Cell Tissue Technology Sdn. Bhd. (CTT) diketuai oleh Ketua Pegawai Eksekutif, Dr. Khairul Izwan Baharin.

Kini CTT berdiri sendiri untuk menjalankan operasi pemindahan teknologi dari Pusat Kejuruteraan Tisu yang telah berjaya disempurnakan pada tahun 2014 sekali gus memberikan mereka lesen untuk menghasilkan dan mengkomersialkan MyDerm.

Naib Canselor UKM, Prof. Datuk Dr. Noor Azlan Ghazali berkata, Pusat Kejuruteraan Tisu merupakan salah satu daripada lima pusat kecemerlangan penyelidikan di Hospital Canselor Tuanku Mukhriz (HCTM), Pusat

Perubatan Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (PPUKM).

“Segalanya bermula pada tahun 1999, hanya dengan sebuah makmal kecil diketuai oleh Prof Dr. Ruszymah dan Dr. Aminuddin Saim, makmal berkenaan menjalankan kajian dalam bidang kejuruteraan tisu dan perubatan regeneratif sehingga dianugerahkan status Pusat Kecemerlangan Penyelidikan pada tahun 2008.

“Sejak itu pusat berkenaan telah terlibat secara aktif dalam perkembangan dan kajian klinikal menggunakan tisu dan sel manusia seperti kulit, rawan, tulang, saraf, kornea dan tisu jantung,” katanya.

Sehingga kini pusat berkenaan berjaya menghasilkan produk kulit gantian yang dinamakan MyDerm, daripada inovasi kejuruteraan tisu yang dijalankan oleh Prof Dr. Ruszymah dan MyDerm telah menghampiri peringkat akhir ujian klinikal dengan usaha sama

beberapa pakar bedah dan ahli klinikal Hospital Canselor Tuanku Mukhriz, PPUKM.

Prof Dr. Ruszymah berkata, MyDerm bukan hanya boleh digunakan oleh pesakit di dalam negara tetapi juga di luar negara kerana, sel yang diambil daripada pesakit boleh tahan sehingga 48 jam sebelum dikultur di CTT. Semua proses dilakukan di CTT dan MyDerm yang terhasil boleh diterbangkan balik ke negara asal dan diletakkan pada pesakit.

“Kajian klinikal MyDerm bermula dari tahun 2013 telah menunjukkan pemulihan yang amat memuaskan kepada para pesakit terutama merawat luka kebakaran, trauma dan ulser diabetik dan sekali gus

PUTRAJAYA, 26 Ogos (Bernama) -- Kementerian Pendidikan Tinggi menyasarkan seramai 1,500 tenaga pengajar mempunyai kepakaran keusahawan dan menjadi penasihat kepada peniagaan dan projek keusahawan pelajar menjelang 2020.

Ketua Pengarah Pendidikan Tinggi Datuk Prof Dr Asma Ismail berkata pembangunan tenaga pengajar yang kompeten dan berdaya keusahawan merentasi bidang pengajian adalah selaras dengan Pelan Tindakan Keusahawan Institusi Pengajian Tinggi 2016-202.

Beliau berkata ini bertujuan bagi membolehkan tenaga pengajar, yang merupakan kumpulan ‘enabler’ yang signifikan dalam menganjakkan minda pelajar daripada pencari pekerjaan kepada penjana pekerjaan.

“Harapan saya agar program peningkatan kompetensi tenaga pengajar ini dapat dipelbagaikan pada masa hadapan supaya tenaga pengajar turut didedahkan dengan pembelajaran pengalaman dan pratikal,” katanya.

Dr Asma berkata demikian ketika berucap pada Majlis Penutup Program Kerjasama Keusahawan KPT-Malaysia Technology Development Corporation Sdn Bhd (MTDC) ‘Industry Into Academia (i2A)-Transfer of

memberikan sinar baru kepada pesakit,” katanya.

Malaysia Technology Development Cooperation (MTDC) memberi sokongan dana untuk pembinaan fasiliti bertaraf amalan pengilangan baik (GMP) di Pusat Kejuruteraan Tisu yang terletak di blok klinikal HCTM.

Kini produk terbitan sel atau tisu telah dapat dihasilkan mengikut piawaian antarabangsa GMP dan sesuai digunakan untuk aplikasi klinikal.

Usaha pengkomersialan penyelidikan UKM juga selaras dengan hasrat Kementerian Pendidikan yang telah memberi mandat kepada institusi pengajian tinggi di Malaysia untuk melaksanakan pengkomersialan idea bagi memperkenalkan seseuatu produk atau teknologi yang dihasilkan untuk masyarakat.

Cell Tissue Technology telah memulakan aktiviti penyelidikan

dan pembangunan R&D sendiri dan menghasilkan produk baru iaitu derm-autologous di mana semua menggunakan bahan daripada pesakit sendiri.

Bagi menambahkan keyakinan masyarakat terhadap produk terbitan R&D, CTT sedang berusaha mendapatkan pensijilan halal daripada Jabatan Kemajuan Islam Malaysia (Jakim).

Pihak Malaysia Book of Record juga memberikan anugerah kepada Prof Dr. Ruszymah Idrus sebagai pencipta utama MyDerm untuk pengiktirafan MyDerm sebagai autologous tissue engineered human skin yang pertama di Malaysia.

Industry knowledge into Academia Programme 2016’ di sini hari ini.

Mengenai program ini, katanya, bengkel lima hari yang bermula 22 Ogos lalu libatkan 120 tenaga pengajar Politeknik dan Kolej Komuniti dari seluruh negara diharapkan dapat meningkatkan inovasi dalam kaedah pengajaran serta penciptaan produk oleh pelajar.

“Diharap agar Politeknik dan Kolej Komuniti juga dapat meningkatkan bilangan tenaga pengajar yang mahir dalam pendidikan keusahawan dan pengkomersialan teknologi,” katanya.

Sementara itu, Ketua Eksekutif MTDC Datuk Norhalim Yunus berkata, bengkel itu telah didedahkan dengan pengalaman dunia sebenar dan pembelajaran amali mengenai kepentingan pemindahan pengetahuan dan teknologi terhadap produk atau perkhidmatan.

Katanya, kerjasama sebegini dapat mencapai usaha meningkatkan pertumbuhan ekonomi berasas ilmu dan memacu pengkomersial dan inovasi.

“Adalah diharapkan, para pendidik ini dapat mewujudkan ekosistem mesra keusahawan dan melakukan pemindahan pengetahuan yang tidak bersempadan,” katanya.

DR Hilmi (kiri) melawat ke Pusat Kejuruteraan Tisu di PPUKM di Kuala Lumpur hari ini. Turut bersama Noor Azlan (dua dari kiri); Ketua Jabatan Pusat Kejuruteraan Tisu PPUKM, Prof Madya Dr Angela Ng Min Hwei (dua dari kanan) dan Ruszymah (kanan).

Source : BH Online

Kajian klinikal MyDerm bermula dari tahun 2013 telah menunjukkan pemulihan yang

amat memuaskan kepada para pesakit terutama merawat

luka kebakaran, trauma dan ulser diabetik dan sekali gus

memberikan sinar baru kepada pesakit

“

KPT Sasar 1,500 Tenaga Pengajar Punyai Kepakaran Keusahawan Menjelang 2020

teknologi tempatan bernilai tinggi - mtdc.com.my · pdf filediumumkan dalam rancangan malaysia...

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