KUALA LUMPUR: The government is aggressively undertaking various efforts to assist industry players in embracing Industry 4.0 through the adoption of automation and smart manufacturing.

Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA) strategic planning (manufacturing) executive director Zabidi Mahbar said Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI) and MIDA are heavily involved in formulating strategies and conducting related research.

“The research includes the “Future of Manufacturing” Study on the 3+2 catalytic and high growth potential sectors identified under the 11th Malaysia Plan and the National Plan for Industry 4.0,” he said in his keynote address during the East Malaysia Domestic Investment Seminar in Sabah, today.

He said both research documents are expected to be completed by the first quarter of 2018.

“Since 2015, the government has provided a facility in the form of Automation Capital Allowance for automation expenditure to assist manufacturing companies in embracing this new concept,” he added.

As at October 2017, MIDA has approved a total of 71 applications of which two applications approved were from Sabah.

In the recent Budget 2018, the government highlighted several new incentive packages to accelerate the growth and adoption of smart manufacturing and Industry 4.0 in Malaysia.

“With these facilities in place, we would like to encourage more companies to adopt smart manufacturing technologies and processes that will in return serve them well by reducing dependency on foreign labour, improve productivity and enhance their long-term competitiveness,” Zabidi said.

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