KUALA LUMPUR: The Government has allocated RM45mil for Industry4WRD-related programmes this year, says Deputy International Trade and Industry (Miti) Minister Datuk Lim Ban Hong.
Lim said that the allocation is meant for the Readiness Assessment (RA), the Intervention Fund as well as reskilling and upskilling programmes, which are implemented and coordinated by Miti.
“RA has helped small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to gauge their level of readiness in adopting Industry 4.0 (IR4.0), as well as measures to facilitate digital transformation.
“SMEs that have undergone the government-funded RA programmes can avail the Industry4WRD Intervention Fund, namely a matching grant to a maximum amount of RM500,000, with 30% upfront payment by the Government to kickstart intervention strategies towards IR4.0 adoption,” he said at the opening ceremony of Metaltech and Automex 2022, held at the Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre (Mitec) here.
Metaltech and Automex – the country’s leading machine tools, networking and automation technology event – is being organised by Informa Markets for four days until June 25.
Additionally, he said, reskilling and upskilling training programme are provided for workers to enhance competency in automation, knowledge and skills in the adoption of Industry 4.0 technology.
To date, 24 SMEs have been selected under the RiSE4WRD Reskilling programme for companies that have participated in the RA programme.
“While the Government is committed to providing a conducive ecosystem to nurture the growth of local businesses through policies, programmes and facilitation to venture into new industries and markets, the onus remains with business owners to act fast and embrace changes to seize opportunities.
“As such, I urge businesses and companies to avail the numerous opportunities offered by the government to enhance productivity through automation and digitalisation to remain competitive,” he highlighted.
He elaborated that the Government introduced the Industry4WRD national policy on IR4.0 in 2018 to drive digital transformation of the manufacturing and related service sectors in Malaysia, with the goal of encouraging domestic industries to enhance their capacities and capabilities towards building resilience and ensuring sustainability.
It aims to increase the level of automation and digitalisation through smart manufacturing processes and technologies that will enhance production flexibility and efficiency, as well as radically transform value chains and business models.
He noted that the machinery and equipment (M&E) industry represents one of the most innovative sectors in the economy that incorporates key technologies of the future, including electronics, robotics, advanced materials and software integration.
“Domestically, this sector is represented by more than 2,000 companies that employs approximately 90,000 workers. On the local front, the M&E industry in Malaysia has gradually moved up the value chain by shifting its focus to include areas of high technology and producing high-value added and specialised products,” he said.
Malaysia is presently the leading manufacturer of specialised process and automation equipment for the electrical and electronics (E&E) industry in the Asean region.
He added, “It is my sincere hope that Malaysian entrepreneurs, major industry players and exhibitors will grasp as many businesses and networking opportunities as possible and forge stronger relationships.
“Total realised investments in the domestic M&E sector since the 1980s have accumulated up to RM33.9bil. Last year, a total of 42 M&E projects have been approved with investments worth RM1.6bil. The approved projects are expected to create 2,268 job opportunities.”
On both exhibitions, he hoped that Metaltech and Automex would continue to be a platform for M&E players to strive for the highest level of excellence through knowledge sharing and networking.
“With this year’s focus on IR4.0, I have strong confidence that this exhibition will continue to be a contributor in supporting our shared goals and developing the global status of Malaysia M&E industry to ensure the sustainable growth of the industry,” he said.
Informa Markets Malaysia co-chairman General (Rtd) Tan Sri Mohd Azumi Mohamed said: “This is a hybrid exhibition of two trade events that connected the manufacturing industry, through a combination of both the physical and virtual presence of exhibiting brands of leading machine tools, manufacturing processes, metalworking and advancements in industrial automation technology spearheading the IR4.0 transformation.”
He shared that the organiser seeks to play “a small and meaningful part in the promotion of international trade and investment”.
“Consistent with the acceleration in trends of technological adoption, new technological behaviours and new prospectus within the machinery and equipment segment of the industry, more companies are now seeking to adopt digitalisation or tech celebration, to keep pace with the demands of industry.
“Automex is the perfect platform for industry players to seize opportunities and exposures of the growing automation, digitalisation and robotics industry,” he added.
He further said, “Also featuring this year is the virtual business matching session with the precision machinery research and development centre, the founder of machine tool industry online centre.
“This is an occasion not to be missed considering the economics of the machine industry in recent years that has pushed companies towards the use of industrial robots in pursuit of achieving the required precision and performance.”
Metaltech and Automex chairman Datuk Dr Tan Chin Huat said that the exhibitions has attracted about 300 exhibitors from 19 countries and regions, such as from South Korea, Germany, India, China and Singapore.
“We expect many agreements will be signed during this four-day event. We expect more people will invest into automation and bring in positive investment for the country.
“This is a good time to invest into automation because of the current business climate, and there are a lot of opportunities for the early birds,” Tan said, adding that industry players were keen on visiting the exhibitions to get their first-hand experience in various aspects.
Tan noted that they also expect about 20,000 trade visitors for the four-day event.
Meanwhile, IME Group of Companies’ also launched its new Stratasys F770 3D printer on the sidelines of Lim’s visit at the exhibition.
With a build envelope of 13 cubic feet, the F770 can print parts that are 46 inches long on the diagonal. This opens up new avenues for innovation in additive manufacturing, as well as applications and opportunities for industrial manufacturers that small printers do not offer.
“For over 42 years, we have brought in different advance technologies into Malaysia and over the years, we have also started to develop our own solutions to cater for the changes that Industry 4.0 brings to manufacturers.
“We firmly believe that it is crucial for manufacturers to begin their digital transformation journey, as disruption has happened and the future is now.
“We are glad that more local manufacturers are adopting the technology and we will be with them every step in the way,” said TK Teoh, IME Group of Companies founder and chairman.
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