PUTRAJAYA: The medical device industry contributes about RM1.8bil to GDP each year, says Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad.
He then added that the sector has created more than 130,000 high skilled job opportunities.
“Malaysia’s medical device industry continues to show remarkable growth and resilience. In 2024, medical device exports rose 31%, reaching RM37bil,” he said.
“Between 2021 and 2024, the sector attracted RM20bil in domestic and foreign investments,” added Dzulkefly at the pre launch of IMDEC 2026 and the MedTechPreneur 1.0 Programme here on Wednesday (Oct 15).
Dzulkefly announced the biennial IMDEC 2026 will be held from August 26 to 28 at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre.
The theme is “Revolutionising Medical Technology: Powering Tomorrow’s Era of Healthcare.”
He said IMDEC 2024 recorded RM550mil in investments, featured 89 exhibitors and showcased 245 innovations.
“IMDEC 2026 will again serve as a premier global platform for knowledge exchange, innovation and collaboration,” he added.
The event will run alongside the Malaysia Pharma & Healthcare Expo, INNOMD Innovation Pitching 2026, ICIBEL and MEDIC26.
IMDEC 2026 is organised with partners including Universiti Malaya, Clinical Research Malaysia and the Malaysia Healthcare Travel Council.
Dzulkefly said these partnerships reflect Malaysia’s ambition to become ASEAN’s MedTech hub.
He said the aim is to catalyse innovation and investment and strengthen regional collaboration.
On MedTechPreneur 1.0, Entrepreneur and Cooperatives Development Minister Datuk Ewon Benedick said it opens opportunities for local entrepreneurs in medical devices.
“Through this industry, local entrepreneurs can position themselves in the global value chain,” he said.
“They can be creators of future medical technologies, not merely manufacturers,” he added.
Ewon said MedTechPreneur aligns with the MADANI Economy agenda that emphasises inclusivity, sustainability and globally competitive growth.
“It is consistent with the National Entrepreneurship Policy 2030 and the New Industrial Master Plan 2030,” he said.
He said the programme will nurture more entrepreneurs in the medical device sector and added that it will open paths for SMEs to boost capacity, technology and market access.
“The ministry and its agencies remain committed to supporting entrepreneurs nurtured by the Medical Device Authority,” he said.
