• Investing in Circular Bioeconomy
• Digital Investment Office (DIO)
• Project Implementation and Facilitation Office (TRACK)
• Technology Adoption
• Triple Helix Programme
• Talent Facilitation

The Circular Economy covers a broad spectrum of activities, explicitly addressing the circularity aspects of renewable biological resources and converting these resources and waste streams into sustainable higher value-added products such as food, feed, bioenergy, biofuels, biochemical and bio-based end products. Existing industries, particularly those with heavy reliance on fossil feedstock, are being pressured to transition towards rethinking their existing processes, adopting a more circular model and switching to renewable resources to reduce their carbon footprint and emissions towards meeting global climate change goals.

As more companies are looking for sustainable businesses as a new revenue source, Malaysia is well-positioned as a preferred location for bio-based ventures. Malaysia’s competitive advantages include the availability of sustainable and renewable biological resources such as biomass and other sources of waste streams. MIDA has added a new Circular Bioeconomy Unit (CBE) which aims to accelerate Malaysia’s transition from a linear ‘take-up’ model to a circular ‘make-use-return’ paradigm. This is expected to be a new catalyst of growth for Malaysia, enabling a large-scale transition to Circular Bioeconomy for sustainable and inclusive development that will create a string of new industries and high-value jobs. CBE will help guide companies both local and international toward realising their investments for this new opportunity in Malaysia, the gateway to ASEAN.

We are ever ready to engage and assist you in your business ventures in Malaysia.

The National Council of Digital Economy and Fourth Industrial Revolution (MED4IR) chaired by the Malaysia’s Prime Minister endorsed the establishment of the Digital Investment Office (DIO), entrusted to charge towards facilitating digital investments in Malaysia. The role of DIO is consistent with the MyDIGITAL Blueprint and the National Investment Aspirations, guided by the essence of the Shared Prosperity Vision (SPV) 2030.

The DIO is a fully-digital collaborative platform between the Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA) and Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC) to coordinate and facilitate all digital investments. The objective of this endeavour is not only to create awareness on digital investments in the country but to also strengthen the coordination among all Investment Promotion Agencies (IPAs) in promoting and attracting new investments in this fast-evolution segment.

TRACK provides end-to-end facilitation to all projects approved by the National Committee of Investment (NCI). TRACK ensures acceleration from the approvals of projects right up to its implementation. The adoption of a digitalised system provides real-time tracking for companies to easily follow up on the status of their projects.

The future is about technology and of how people’s lives, workplace and leisure are being transformed by the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) driven by digitalisation and the Internet of Things.

The National Policy on Industry 4.0 (Industry4WRD) is Malaysia’s response to the Fourth Industrial Revolution, which underlines the Government’s commitment towards this new era of technological convergence. It is a collaborative effort between the Government, industry, and academia, aiming for enhanced productivity, greater job creation, and the creation of a high-skilled talent pool in the manufacturing sector.

The manufacturing sector together with its manufacturing related services and ecosystem partners is anticipated to transition towards more high value, diverse and complex products and services. Driven by three catalytic subsectors, namely electrical and electronics (E&E), machinery & equipment (M&E) and chemicals, as well as industries with high potential growth such as medical devices and aerospace, the transition could be further enhanced by undertaking supporting R&D activities.

Industry players will need to prioritise innovation or R&D led-growth models to be resilient in the long term. In addition to focusing on research, development, commercialisation and innovation (R&D&C&I), industry players are also encouraged to enhance their operation efficiency through smart technology adoption.

MIDA is your key strategic implementation partner to reach your business goals in the adoption of these technologies.

We encourage businesses to undertake in-house R&D activities, work together with approved R&D Companies or form strategic collaborations with public and private research institutes in Malaysia. We are also ramping up efforts to keep the momentum going in the manufacturing sector in line with the Industry4WRD objectives.

MIDA continues to be a networking conduit to connect companies and technology solution providers, both international and local, in efforts to assist and facilitate industry players in their digitalisation journey. We are also a crucial component of Malaysia 4IR and Digital Economy Blueprints to chart Malaysia to the next phase of transformation.

Prospective investors are encouraged to take advantage of MIDA’s facilities, grants and incentives and upscale your business today.

Realising the importance of knowledge and technology transfer to industry and commercialisation of knowledge, MIDA has collaborated with local research institutions/universities and industries to initiate the Triple Helix Programme.

The programme is set to foster more linkages, interactions, smart partnerships and collaborations between universities and industries through scientific research, innovation and commercialisation of university products and technologies.

The right investments for innovation and technology will develop and spur growth in the whole technology sector. Hence, the proposed private-public partnership will not only provide Malaysia with vast opportunities for technology enhancement and innovation but also a vote of confidence in the country’s economy.

Malaysia needs more skilled talent for the economy to move up the value chain. Concurrently, there is also a need to create opportunities for the country’s youth and reduce dependency on foreign employment while ensuring the future needs and relevant skills of Industry 4.0.

In view of this, MIDA has been instrumental in generating high value employment opportunities for quality investment projects in the country through continuous collaborations with the academia and related government ministries and agencies. Among the collaboration programmes initiated by MIDA is an internship programmed called the Manufacturing Internship Programme (Manufactship) and Apprenticeship. MIDA initiatives aim to ensure a continuous supply of skilled local talent to the industry by linking private companies with talents through a structured internship framework programme.

Additionally, matchmaking and information sharing sessions have also been continuously carried out through organising the monthly Industry Career Talk & Open Interview series. Recognising the multiplier effects generated by investment created by both foreign and local private companies, MIDA has been engaging with the industries in this programme with the aim of providing:

• an insightful snapshot of industry to students, graduates and job seekers
• a platform for companies in conducting an open interview session for their recruitment purposes

MIDA has been spearheading initiatives to connect local companies and SMEs with multinational companies (MNCs) and large local corporations (LLCs) through many platforms including Supply Chain conferences and other networking events.

Recognising the prospects of domestic businesses in driving the economic growth of the country, MIDA continues to encourage local companies to better expand their market outreach and adopt best practices by becoming critical parts of the global supply chain. MIDA facilitates companies that are interested in the following activities:

1. Local sourcing activities
   • Leveraging the existence of MNCs/ LLCs in strengthening the supply chain and creating greater spillover benefits.
   • Creating opportunities for domestic companies and mitigate gaps in the supply chain.
   • Developing and upgrading existing local vendors through Vendor Development Programmes in collaboration with MNCs/ LLCs as an anchor company.
2. Local engineering support
   • Leveraging on Malaysia’s strong engineering support industry (ESI). Our ESI encompasses companies carrying out a wide range of activities including mould and die, machining, metal stamping, metal casts, surface engineering, heat treatment and forging. It is a vital industry to be developed due to its linkages to various economic sectors.

MIDA supports local companies, particularly the small and medium enterprise (SMEs) in accessing additional sources of funds, particularly by bridging potential financial and technology gaps. MIDA works closely with local regulators, technology providers, financial institutions as well as equity and corporate advisory firms to facilitate the financial needs of local companies.

Funding options that are available include the economic stimulus packages announced under Budget 2021 including PENJANA, PRIHATIN, PRIHATIN SME PLUS and KITA PRIHATIN. Under PENJANA, the Smart Automation Grant (SAG) was introduced to assist and facilitate SMEs and Mid-Tier Companies (MTCs) to digitalise operations trade channels as well as to enhance their competitiveness at an international level.

MIDA assists and facilitates cross-border investments/ direct investments abroad. Malaysian companies are encouraged to venture overseas to expand their markets, tap into new investment opportunities and acquire new technologies.