MIDA and MPMA collaborate to shape nation's plastic industry players
Published on: Wednesday, May 24, 2017
Kuala Lumpur: The Malaysian Investments Development Authority (MIDA) and the Malaysian Plastics Manufacturers Association (MPMA) has collaborated for the first time to bring together the MPMA International Plastics Conference (MIPC) 2017, the eighth edition since it was first organised in 2002. The two day conference, held at Holiday Inn Kuala Lumpur Glenmarie, was officiated by YB Datuk Seri Ong Ka Chuan, Minister of International Trade and Industry II."The plastics and plastic products industry is a dynamic and vibrant growth sector within the Malaysian manufacturing sector. Over the years, the plastics industry has been supporting the growth of related sectors as well as contributing to the emergence of new markets throughout the value chain.
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"Given the encouraging trends in the plastics industry, companies here can seize the growing opportunities by improving its competitiveness in terms of product development, manufacturing processes and business models. "With the established industry ecosystem in Malaysia, it would be beneficial for companies to leverage on Malaysia's excellent competitive advantages and further develop their capabilities," said the second Minister of International Trade and Industry.The two-day seminar among others featured two plenary sessions on "Global Trends and Future Outlook" and "Boosting the Plastics Industry for the Next Decade", as well as various sessions on technological advances. Also present were YBhg Datuk Noraini S Talib, Vice-President of MPMA and Eddie Fong, Secretary-General of MPMA and Ahmad Khairudin, Executive Director of MIDA.
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On the collaboration with MIDA, MPMA's Vice President said, "As MPMA and MIDA are both celebrating our 50th Anniversary this year, it is indeed befitting that we recognise the value of the public-private partnership in action by jointly organising this Conference. MIDA has been very supportive to the plastics and petrochemical industries since the early days. Back in the 1980s, MIDA has been very successful in attracting many multinational companies to invest in the electrical and electronics (E&E) industries, and as of today, E&E is still one of the largest market segments for the Malaysian plastics industry.
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In recent years, MPMA and MIDA have been working closely on trade policy matters, which have facilitated the growth of the plastics industry. This is indeed a very good example of how the public and private sectors can work hand in hand to jointly develop the industry."Datuk Noraini also highlighted that MPMA undertook a Skills Needs Research Study with MONASH University. "The purpose of this study was to undertake a thorough assessment of the current and future skills needs in the Malaysian plastics injection moulding industry and to explore options to improve the current process of skills training programmes. In summary, the Study has identified four challenges that hinder the Malaysian plastics industry in achieving innovation and global competitiveness as well as some recommendations, she elaborated.During his welcome address, Mr Eddie Fong said, "This year's MIPC carries the theme, "Navigating the Future of Plastics for the Next Decade". The 8th MIPC will examine the challenges facing the Malaysian manufacturing sector and the plastics industry, and to brainstorm on feasible and appropriate strategies for growth in the next decade. The main challenge of our business today is the shortage of workers, both skilled and semi-skilled. We fully support the Government's policy to reduce the dependency on foreign labour. However, to reduce the dependency on labour we must have a long term plan to enhance our skills, increase level of automation and adopt the appropriate technologies to achieve higher efficiency," he added, while highlighting on the MPMA Plastics Technology Roadmap 2025.Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
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