Government applied research agency MIMOS and the Association of the Computer and Multimedia Industry, Malaysia (PIKOM) have sealed a new pact to speed up the global commercialisation of locally developed technologies.
Under the five-year agreement, the two parties will leverage on each other’s strengths and capabilities to fulfill information and communication technology (ICT) needs and market demands. The goal was to growing more globally competitive local companies and indigenous industries.
According to the two organisations, PIKOM’s knowledge of ICT players and market would be married to MIMOS’s research in frontier technologies, some of which are now ready for commercialisation.
PIKOM president C J Ang said, “This combination opens up numerous possibilities in terms of development of new ICT solutions needed by in the local market. Quite likely, some of these solutions could also be applicable to overseas markets.”
Expanding domestic and export markets
Ang added: “This fits well into our Five Year Strategic Plan which seeks to expand both the domestic and export markets for local ICT players. The ultimate goal of the Plan is to double the Malaysian ICT market size from about RM40 (US$11.79) billion in 2007 to RM80 (US$23.58) billion in 2012.”
Both parties will also assist each other in identifying suitable technology recipients of MIMOS for the purpose of commercialisation in line with MOSTI’s technology licensing and transfer programme.
Signing on behalf of MIMOS was president and chief executive officer, Dato’ Abdul Wahab Abdullah. The signing was witnessed by deputy minister of Science, Technology and Innovation (MOSTI), Tuan Haji Fadillah Haji Yusof.
Moving up the value chain
“This collaboration is aimed at moving the local ICT industry up the value chain through the base technology platforms, developed by MIMOS, upon which the indigenous industries can build products for the local and international markets,” said Dato’ Wahab.
“MIMOS focuses on strategic market-driven product development and advanced technology, which essentially involves the development of technology for future products through commercialization, to meet market needs. As such, without having to invest in research, which has a long gestation period and high market uncertainty, the indigenous industries are able to focus on building the brand and the marketing channels.”
