MTDC: SMIs need to develop products, services for industry 4.0

KOTA KINABALU: Local 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 in the market, said Malaysian Technology Development Corporation (MTDC) chief executive officer Datuk Norhalim Yunus yesterday.

He said with Industry 4.0 penetrating Malaysia, 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 SMI companies to participate in Industry 4.0.

“MTDC also provides integrated support services for technopreneurs, which include advisory services such as mentoring, soft- landing, branding, fundraising, international collaboration and networking,” he told reporters when met at the MTDC Road2Growth 2018 roadshow here.

Norhalim also said MTDC’s Technopreneur Training Academy ( Tentra) would be undertaking programmes to train technopreneurs to be Industry 4.0 ready.

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

Besides briefing and networking sessions, 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 roadshow will visit Kuching on Thursday (July 12). — Bernama