Govt mulls incentives for SMIs to adopt robotic tech

KUALA LUMPUR: The government is looking into providing special incentives to encourage small and medium industries (SMIs) to adopt robotic technology to boost productivity.

Economic Affairs Minister Datuk Seri Azmin Ali said it was high time that SMIs kept abreast of the latest technology to enhance competitiveness.

However, since it would be costly to invest in automation and robotics, the government was looking at a more holistic approach that would assist industry players, he added.

"Miti (International Trade and Industry Ministry) is looking into this," he said after opening the Aspire Graduate Career Fair at Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre on Saturday (July 13).

Azmin said the government would further improve Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) modules to cater to the needs of the industry in view of the advent of technological development.

"For Malaysia to attain the status of a developed nation, we need to prepare the workforce with skills and talents catering to the evolving technology.

"We need to expand the pool of skilled and talented young workforce in the field of technology to reduce dependence on foreigners," he said.

The Aspire 2919 fair offers opportunities for graduates to find jobs apart from learning about the corporate world.

The topic of this year's Aspire 500 conference is "Cashing in on e-wallet".