National policy on Industry 4.0 to be tabled to Cabinet in 4Q

KUALA LUMPUR: The Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI) is leading a coordinated effort in the drafting of a National Policy on the Industry 4.0, with the target of tabling it to the Cabinet in the fourth quarter (Q4) of this year.

Its Minister Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed said the joint paper would involve both the public and private sectors.

“The Industry 4.0 is already happening in Malaysia. We are now coordinating a robust programme involving many parts of the government.

“The idea is to work together, not in silos, and the joint paper will be tabled to the Cabinet in Q4,” he told a press conference after launching the one-day Industry 4.0 Seminar for government officials here yesterday. It was attended by 400 government officials from across the country.

“We believe it is important to expose government officials to the subject, as it has implications on our competitiveness and the future of our industries,” said Mustapa.

MITI's programme today was also attended by 250 small and medium entrepreneurs (SMEs) to increase their awareness of the Industry 4.0. Mustapa said the SMEs are an integral component of the Malaysian economy, contributing more than 30 per cent to the overall gross domestic product (GDP) and employing close to 60 per cent of the total labour workforce in the

The Industry 4.0 is already happening in Malaysia. We are now coordinating a robust programme involving many parts of the government. Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed, Ministry of International Trade and Industry

country.

However, he noted that despite their importance, exports and productivity of SMEs had yet to rise significantly.

“Malaysian enterprises, especially SMEs, must be aware that they need to adapt to changes brought about by the fourth industrial revolution, and explore practical methods to remain relevant in the global value chain,” he said, adding, Industry 4.0 promises an exponential increase in productivity and efficiency.

Mustapa said the government would continue to engage with stakeholders through a series of workshops and seminars to raise awareness of Industry 4.0 in the country and the federal government had also funded the opening of a training centre for it in Penang.

He said the Malaysian Industrial Development Authority (MIDA) would also be completing the “MIDA's Future of Manufacturing” study by the third quarter of this year.