KUALA LUMPUR (Oct 31): Technology Park Malaysia Corporation Sdn Bhd (TPM) is set to act as the country’s innovation ecosystem one-stop centre, after being entrusted to set up the Industrial Revolution 4.0 International Innovation Hub (IIH).

As Malaysia’s innovation facilitator and technology enabler, TPM has been allocated RM30 million under Budget 2022 to establish the IIH, which would act as a centre of excellence (COE) and support the innovation ecosystem by developing new technology clusters such as drones, robotics and autonomous vehicles.

“Through IIH, TPM aims to assist 10,000 entrepreneurs by providing them with access to infrastructure and facilities, as well as coaching, mentoring and training 5,000 entrepreneurs on market access,” said TPM chief executive officer Dzuleira Abu Bakar in a statement.

TPM also aims to enrol 7,500 participants in a Knowledge Exchange programme with international research universities and institutes.

“We also hope to enlist 750 small and medium enterprises (SMEs), incubatees or start-ups in our facilities which will be fitted with 5G technology. 

“Drone development is another focus area, in which we target to support 50 companies through guidance and living lab drone facilities,” she said.

Dzuleira added that TPM will also play host to the first Artificial Intelligence Park in Malaysia, and will introduce various facilities such as 5G Development Hub, Sustainable Urban Farming Incubation Facility, Biotechnology Incubation Hub and Autonomous Vehicle and Robotics Hub.

She said in September this year, TPM had set up Area 57, a COE for Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) and Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS).

“Drone services can be expanded and upscaled in various sectors such as e-commerce, logistics or mobilisation of pertinent resources or medicine to rural, remote areas, or those affected by natural disasters; infrastructure management and security surveillance in smart building maintenance, smart cities or maritime; urban agriculture and more.

“The creation, development and commercialisation of technology and innovation related to UAVs or drones will drive recovery and growth of Malaysia’s economy,” she said, noting that the drone technology industry in the global drone market is forecast to be worth US$41.3 billion in 2026.

Dzuleira had also lauded the government’s move to allocate a matching grant of RM100 million for Bumiputra SMEs to explore the aerospace industry, as well as the RM5 million allocation to develop a Drone Sports Excellence Centre under Budget 2022.

Meanwhile, she said the allocations to Cradle Fund and Industry4WRD, as well as the introduction of MyStartup, highlights the government’s commitment towards building a more resilient startup economy.

She said in this aspect, Budget 2022 upholds the formation of the technology commercialisation accelerator (TCA) through the strategic consolidation of TPM and Malaysian Global Innovation and Creativity Center (MaGIC), which will start operating next year. 

“Its primary focus will be to accelerate commercialisation of technology by nurturing strong partnerships and strategic collaborations between the industries and academia, which will in turn bridge the gap to bring about impactful research through patented inventions, and ready-to-use technologies.

“By building a pipeline that encompasses the entire value chain, from researchers, scientists, start-ups in incubation to high growth technology companies, TCA will allow Malaysia to strengthen and unlock value in the technology and innovation ecosystem,” added Dzuleira.

See more Budget 2022 highlights here.