Gobind: Five leading UK tech firms to invest in M’sia
PETALING JAYA: Five leading UK technology organisations will be investing here, a sign that Malaysia continues to move in the right direction in attracting foreign investments.
Communications and Multimedia Minister Gobind Singh said as Malaysia continued to implement technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), robotics and cybersecurity, the investment of more UK tech companies in Malaysia highlighted their confidence that the country is moving in the right direction.
“I am positive that this new commitment will create many possible win-win situations and unlock synergies that will result in increasing trade and improve technology-related businesses,” he said in a statement.
The announcement came following Gobind’s visit to the United Kingdom in February, where he led a delegation consisting of senior representatives from the Malaysian Multimedia and Communications Commission (MCMC), Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC) and the National Cyber Security Agency.
The three-day visit saw the Malaysian delegation having a series of meetings with UK government officials, industry and academia, to share best practices and explore collaborations in AI, cybersecurity, 5G and creative content.
British High Commissioner to Malaysia Charles Hay said: “I am delighted to see leading UK technology firms investing in Malaysia.
“This kind of long-term investment is a testament to the quality of the talent pool here.
“Collaborations in the technology, artificial intelligence and cybersecurity sectors are vital to the modern-day partnership between the United Kingdom and Malaysia.”
The statement said Ideagen, which is a global technology company based in Nottinghamshire, would open a Centre of Excellence in Kuala Lumpur, creating up to 70 technology jobs in Malaysia.
The investment coincides with the launch of Q-Pulse 7, the company’s electronic quality management software.
Another technology firm AuditXPRT, which is based in London, has made Kuala Lumpur its South-East Asia hub.
The company is also planning to set up an apprenticeship programme in Kuala Lumpur to recruit and train people in machine learning and AI.
In addition, UK technology innovator Mitra Innovation is working in collaboration with a Malaysian partner to enhance the Malaysian ecosystem.
This partnership will help modernise technological capabilities of organisations through innovation, and embracing AI to improve cybersecurity.
BAE Systems Applied Intelligence is expected to continue to develop its Global Engineering Centre in Kuala Lumpur.
As for Sage, Britain’s largest technology company, it would deliver accounting, payroll and enterprise management solutions to SMEs.
Meanwhile, Heriot-Watt University, a Scottish university with a campus in Putrajaya, is launching a new three-year Data Futures Scholarship Programme in collaboration with MDEC.
The scholarships will increase the recruitment of students to meet the growing demand for data professionals in Malaysia, and also create a collaboration platform for industry partnerships.
The university has committed up to RM2.5mil in fee waivers for students joining programmes over the next three years.