SMIs urged to start developing products and services for Industry 4.0

KOTA KINABALU: Small and medium industries (SMIs) need to start developing products and services for the Fourth Industrial Revolution (Industry 4.0) in order to stay relevant, said Malaysian Technology Development Corp (MTDC) chief executive officer Datuk Norhalim Yunus yesterday.

He said the adoption of automation and technological advancements could eliminate wastage, lower costs, increase customer base and enhance competitiveness.

“MTDC’s role is to identify and provide a platform for SMIs to participate in Industry 4.0.

“MTDC also provides integrated support services for technopreneurs, which include advisory services such as mentoring, softlanding, branding, fundraising, international collaboration and networking,” he said at the MTDC Road2Growth 2018 roadshow here.

Norhalim also said MTDC’s Technopreneur Training Academy would train technopreneurs to be Industry 4.0-ready.

On the roadshow, he said it was to provide a platform for technopreneurs in Sabah to gain information on funding for commercialisation of indigenous technology, innovation and services available from MTDC.

He said selected participants were given the opportunity to pitch their technology-based projects to a panel of experts.

“This one-on-one session will be available at all Road2Growth programmes as well as the regular weekly pitching sessions at MTDC’s office,” he said.

The next roadshow will be held in Kuching tomorrow.