MITI Urges MSMEs To Accelerate Smart Tech And Automation

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 26 (Bernama) -- The government, through the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry (MITI), is urging local firms, particularly micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), to accelerate adoption of smart technology and automation to boost efficiency, competitiveness, and value-added output.

MITI Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz told Parliament that around 1,200 companies have joined programmes under the New Industrial Master Plan, and the Industry Forward 4.0 (Industry4WRD).

“The progress of this technological shift is reflected in the number of companies joining the programmes provided.

“Through the Industry4WRD fund, about RM150 million in investments has been approved via Malaysian Investment Development Authority, while the Smart Automation Grant has supported around 120 companies with nearly RM100 million in grants,” he said during Question Time in the Dewan Rakyat.

He was responding to a supplementary question from Yuneswaran Ramaraj (PH–Segamat), who asked how many Malaysian companies had adopted digital transformation, including artificial intelligence (AI)-driven smart technologies and automation in manufacturing, from the final quarter of 2023 to date.

Tengku Zafrul said the ministry also provides other forms of support through agencies such as SIRIM Bhd, Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation, and Malaysian Industrial Development Finance Bhd, which offer soft financing schemes for automation and modernisation.

“This is a soft financing scheme for automation and modernisation. In shaa Allah, it will help our local companies,” he said.

Earlier, he said the government is also strengthening data-centre capacity, high-performance networks, as well as research and development and integrated-circuit design capabilities.

“In line with this, Malaysia has introduced the Silicon Vision, focused on developing locally made AI chips. Strategic cooperation with ARM Ltd allows Malaysian firms to access ARM’s intellectual property, accelerating the development of domestic AI chips.

“At the same time, the government continues to promote home-grown AI technologies with the potential to compete in global markets,” he added.

-- BERNAMA