Malaysian Vehicle Project to focus on R&D, new tech
“To facilitate the implementation, NAP 2020 will provide supporting measures, including the development of standards for testing and research to support the increase in blending of palm oil biodiesel.
“All the emphasis under NAP 2020 are our commitment to the industry that we are moving in the same direction as other major countries in keeping up with global trends, be it technologically or environmentally.”
Dr Mahathir also shared Malaysia’s vision in remaining competitive in the domestic and global markets with the implementation of the new Malaysian Vehicle Project under the policy.
He said the project would emphasise on research and development (R&D) and incorporation of the latest technologies.
“New technology clusters, as well as a new expert workforce, especially in the field of automotive engineering, would be developed consequently.
“The new Malaysian Vehicle Project is expected to contribute significantly to the nation’s economic development through its support for the upstream and downstream industries — creating the demand of other related materials, such as high-grade steel, plastics, rubber and petrochemical products, which will stimulate further growth of these sub-sectors.
“Beside the new Malaysian Vehicle Project, the government is committed to ensuring that Malaysia continues to prosper and its wealth and prosperity are shared in an equitable manner among all,” he said.
To achieve this aspiration, he said, a number of key policies had been introduced, including the Shared Prosperity Vision 2030, the Industry4WRD and the National Transport Policy to accelerate Malaysia’s economic growth and development.
Dr Mahathir called upon industry players to continue to work together to increase utilisation of local companies in high value-added activities of the domestic as well as global supply chains.
This, he said, was to create that positive economic spillovers, particularly in transfer of technology and provision of jobs while expanding investments and increasing exports.