KUALA LUMPUR: Financial institutions should work closely with the Malaysian Intellectual Property Corporation (MyIPO) and intellectual property (IP) valuation professionals to integrate IP more systematically into lending, financing and investment decisions, says Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali.
The Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Minister said this collaboration has the potential to unlock opportunities that remain beyond the reach of local innovators and entrepreneurs.
“Malaysia has a growing pool of trained IP valuers and an increasingly robust framework developed through MyIPO while our economy continues being driven by technology and creativity.
“MyIPO will continue to lead critical reforms in support of these ambitions.
“The national IP Valuation Module is also currently being updated to reflect prevailing market practices and international benchmarks,” he said in his speech at the graduation ceremony of the MyIPO Intensive Intellectual Property Valuer Programme and Examination (VALUE) 2025 here on Tuesday (Dec 16).
Armizan’s speech was read out by Syed Ahmad Syed Abdul Rahman Alhadad, better known as Altimet, who is on the MyIPO board of directors.
Armizan added that globally, intangible assets are also fast surpassing physical assets as key determinants of corporate and national competitiveness.
“Malaysia cannot remain on the sidelines of such reforms.
“To unlock the full value of innovation, we need a trusted and transparent evaluation ecosystem that is aligned with international standards.
“This requires more than trained evaluators. We need a mindset shift across institutions that support economic growth,” he said.
He also called on financial institutions, investment bodies and capital market participants to consider intellectual property as a viable form of collateral.
“This is especially for small and medium enterprises and startups whose value often does not lie in their buildings or machines but their technology, branding, design and digital abilities,” he said.
In her speech, MyIPO director-general Yusnieza Syarmila Yusoff said MyIPO has plans to advance Malaysia’s intellectual property ecosystem to extend beyond registration alone.
“The aspiration to protect intellectual property should go beyond filing and registration to emphasise the importance of commercialisation, value creation and economic growth.
“We aspire to see strategic leverage of intellectual property through recognised valuation practices, IP-based financing and sustainable commercialisation, in order to translate intangible assets into tangible sources of income,” she said.
She said MyIPO is developing a new generation of IP practitioners who not only have strong technical valuation skills, but also understand and uphold national aspirations in advancing the field.
She further described it as a pivotal moment in Malaysia’s intellectual property ecosystem.
“This ensures the ecosystem remains resilient, dynamic, and capable of contributing directly to national economic growth.”
A total of 35 IP valuators received their credentials during the graduation ceremony.
