IIB VENTURES, MTDC TO DEVELOP UP TO 200 NEW TECHNOPRENEURS IN ISKANDAR PUTERI

KUALA LUMPUR, June 18-- IIB Ventures Sdn Bhd, a subsidiary of Iskandar Investment Bhd (IIB), have entered into a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Malaysian Technology Development Corporation Sdn Bhd (MTDC) to develop up to 200 technopreneurs in Iskandar Puteri, Johor, focusing on robotics and other emerging technologies by 2026.

In a statement today, IIB said the MoU included the proposed establishment of a Robotics Centre of Excellence (CoE) at Medini Iskandar, Johor intended to develop technopreneurs and talents in robotics and emerging technologies.

“IIB Ventures and MTDC to both provide market access and commercialisation opportunities for the industry,” it said in a statement today.

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The MoU was signed at a virtual ceremony by MTDC’s chief executive officer (CEO) Datuk Norhalim Yunus while IIB Ventures was represented by its managing director Zulfiqar Zainuddin.

The ceremony was witnessed by MTDC chairman Tan Sri Abd Rahman Mamat and IIB president/CEO Datuk Ir Khairil Anwar Ahmad. 

Khairil Anwar said the development of 200 technopreneurs in Iskandar Puteri in the next five years would be attained through programmes under Iskandar NEXT, among others, the Iskandar Innovation Hub and Drone and Robotics Zone (DRZ) Iskandar.

“As part of this collaboration, IIB will also provide companies coming into the location, access to markets for commercialisation opportunities, advisory services for funding, access to industry mentors, create visibility, awareness and provide relevant regulatory facilitation,” he said.

Meanwhile, Norhalim said the Robotics CoE would be the first of MTDC’s Centre of 9 Pillars (Co9P) collaboration with IIB Ventures in the southern region to provide a platform for local Industry 4.0 solution providers to develop, grow and offer their services and innovative solutions to various industry sectors in Johor.

“MTDC has in its ecosystem, local companies that are already producing customised Industry 4.0 solutions, including robotics, autonomous robots and drones, that can be expanded into the Robotics CoE.

“This collaboration will also boost the immense potential to develop local talents to be Industry 4.0 ready and assist to achieve the digital transformation agenda as part of the Iskandar Malaysia’s main initiative,” he added.

-- BERNAMA