The Sabah Economic Development and Investment Authority (SEDIA) had partnered with the Malaysian Technology Development Corporation (MTDC) — an agency under the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MOSTI) — to organise Road2Growth (R2G) Sabah, during which the opening ceremony also saw the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the two organisations.
R2G is an annual programme by MTDC, with the objective of introducing its services such as its Technology Development Ecosystem and Technology Investment, in line with MTDC’s function as a technology investment company.
Among the main objectives in organising the R2G Sabah programme with SEDIA include:
- Creating awareness and promoting the role of key stakeholders, especially the government agencies involved in the technology development ecosystem through support such as advisory services, guidance and consultation on related topics such as fund generation; ecosystem cooperation; business and technology consulting (including human capital development) in Industry 4.0; and technological adaptation;
- Presenting innovation, products and services to target groups consisting of researchers/innovators, companies, individuals/private individuals in order to create opportunities for exposure towards attracting the interest of investors for potential collaboration;
- Develop effective collaborative relationships among the parties involved in the ecosystem, to create strategic cooperation and collaboration to promote innovative products and market expansion; and
- Encouraging and fostering the interest of researchers/innovators, companies, individuals / private entities to continue to be active in Research and Development (R&D) in order to explore local talent and bring progress to economic development in the state of Sabah.
Meanwhile, the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding between SEDIA and MTDC is aimed at encouraging and realising the aspirations of local researchers and innovators towards commercialising the results of their research studies, and the production of high-value local products that have the potential to be exported, thus further increasing the trade balance of the state of Sabah which can simultaneously drive our local economy.
In his welcoming speech, SEDIA Chief Executive Datuk Seri Panglima Haji Hashim bin Paijan stated that “today’s event is the culmination of months of joint planning, and functions as a platform for knowledge exchange, networking, and the exploration of new opportunities that will drive Sabah’s economic transformation. Hopefully the signing of this MoU between SEDIA and MTDC will be able to create widespread opportunities for researchers/innovators, companies, entrepreneurs, or individuals in commercialising the results of studies or research in support of entrepreneurship, in addition to developing new sectors based on technology and innovation in Sabah”.
The signing of the MoU was witnessed by the Guest of Honour, Chief Minister cum SEDIA Chairman Yang Amat Berhormat Datuk Seri Panglima Haji Hajiji bin Haji Noor. The opening ceremony was also attended by Yang Berhormat Dato’ Haji Mohammad Yusof bin Apdal (Deputy Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation).
Chief Minister cum SEDIA Chairman YAB Datuk Seri Panglima Haji Hajiji bin Haji Noor (third from right) together with Deputy Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation YB Dato’ Haji Mohammad Yusof bin Apdal (fourth from right), MTDC Chief Executive Officer YBrs. Ts. Hj. Mohammad Hazani Hj. Hassan (second right), and SEDIA Chief Executive YBhg. Datuk Seri Panglima Haji Hashim bin Paijan (right-most) with other delegates in front of the SEDIA-MTDC exhibition booth
The collaboration with MTDC is SEDIA’s initiative to respond to the call from YAB Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Haji Hajiji bin Haji Noor during the last SEDIA Members of Authority meeting, that is for study and research centres in Sabah to play a role in developing knowledge and encouraging innovation.
The collaborative effort between SEDIA and MTDC began on 24 June 2024 with two simultaneous events: the “SEDIA Roundtable Session: Programme for Innovation and Technology Accelerator (SEDIA-PINTAR)” and also the “SEDIA and MTDC Meeting with SEDIA-PINTAR Strategic Partners” which were attended by representatives from local higher education institutions, research institutions, government agencies, chambers of commerce, related private companies as well as stakeholders.
These two programmes are important steps in establishing strategic collaboration between SEDIA and MTDC, towards activities to enhance Research and Development and Commercialisation and Innovation (R&D&C&I) efforts among local researchers and innovators.
Today’s programme is among efforts by SEDIA to drive several initiatives listed in the SDC 2.0 Blueprint, including:
- Initiative #4: Knowledge Hubs — Pilot, develop and commercialise application of technologies in collaboration with universities, research institutions and industry players in forestry, marine science/ aquaculture, and biomass/circular economy;
- Initiative #26: Interior Food Valley — Increase household income and support food security through extension services that improve agricultural productivity; and
- Initiative #27: Equip youth with modern and responsible farming practices, application of technology and expansion into agricultural services.
Through this effort, it is hoped that researchers and innovators will be encouraged towards the commercialisation of R&D outcomes carried out in Sabah, as well as increase commercialisation opportunities so as to boost the local economy.
