Najib: Malaysia wants to set up Apple research centre

Najib shaking hands with Tesla vice-president Diarmuid O'Connell after a test drive on the Tesla Model X during a tour of the electric car manufacturer plant. - Bernama

PETALING JAYA: Malaysia is looking at setting up an Apple research and development centre, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.

"The Centre will focus on identifying, educating and creating local application developers.

"Aside from that, we will also be exploring the possibility of establishing an Apple Application Development Excellence Centre that will focus on innovative ways of using mobile technology to stimulate learning in children.

"These local developers will design applications for the Apple Store that are suitable for education and the local market," Najib said in his blog of his visit to Apple headquarters on Thursday.

Najib said he also visited the Tesla headquarters and tested its newest model of electric car, the Tesla X.

"Tesla has agreed to work with Malaysia to promote electric cars in Malaysia by preparing at least 100 Model S. We are the first Asean nation to receive these cars. The government is always supportive of the efforts of start-ups and high-technology research and knowledge centres," said Najib.

Bernama reported that Najib visited Apple's headquarters in Cupertino, California where he held discussions with the company's chief operating officer Jeff Williams.