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EVENT HIGHLIGHT
MOU Exchange between MBIC, SIRIM Berhad and the Regional Corridor Development Authority (RECODA) From left: Y.Bhg. Dato’ Leong Kin Mun, Y.Bhg. Dato’ Dr. Zainal Abidin Mohd. Yusof (President and Chief Executive of SIRIM Berhad), YB Datuk Dr. Abu Bakar Mohamad Diah, Y.Bhg. Dato’ Mizan Yahya (Secretary General, MBIC), Mr. Kamil Daniel Yap (Chief Investment Officer, RECODA) and Y.Bhg. Tan Sri Dato’ Soong Siew Hoong (Advisor of MBIC)
MALAYSIA BIOMASS INDUSTRIES CONTINUE
TO FLOURISH
PUCHONG – Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MOSTI) is particularly wise to the vast potential of the biomass sector in developing and employing innovative, high-end technologies, given the industry’s constant push for improvement of operations and processes to increase efficiency in the conversion of waste-to-wealth whilst reducing impact on the environment. This was the key message of YB Datuk Dr. Abu Bakar Mohamad Diah, Deputy Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation in his opening address at the Malaysia Biomass Industry Networking Seminar organised by Malaysia Biomass Industries Confederation (MBIC).
Over the last few years, biomass has taken on increasingly diverse roles in contributing to Malaysia’s economy, from addressing energy security requirements and mitigating climate change, to production of higher-value products and bio-chemicals. Despite challenges such as feedstock availability and instability in prices, the industry has continued to flourish.
Recognising the importance of R&D and innovation towards achieving such goals, MOSTI is provisioning various grants such as the ScienceFund, TechnoFund and InnoFund to aid both institutions of higher learning and SMEs in undertaking the pre-commercialization of new cutting-edge and breakthrough technologies, and to facilitate greater utilization of these funds by the biomass sector, YB Datuk Dr. Abu Bakar Mohamad Diah has invited the MBIC President, Dato’ Leong Kin Mun to join MOSTI as evaluation panel for biomass related projects.
“MOSTI is currently looking towards implementing a “Buy Back” Policy for local innovations so that they can be commercialised. We hope to have an allocation of RM500 million for this purpose, and we are targeting 360 local R&D products to be commercialized over the next six years” concluded YB Datuk Dr. Abu Bakar Mohamad Diah.
Seeing an encouraging participation of more than 180 participants from over 112 companies including small and medium enterprises (SMEs), government agencies, research universities, government-linked companies (GLCs), plantation companies, technology providers and commercialization entrepreneurs, this 3rd Networking Seminar is not only aimed at keeping the Malaysian biomass stakeholders updated in the latest happenings in the sector, but also offer a chance for members to mingle and seek out business opportunities.
“MBIC has worked strategically to expand its horizons in an attempt to bridge the overwhelming gap that exist between local biomass industry players and the muchneeded support from government organizations, research institutions and financial entities. To this end, MBIC has synergized with various local and international organisations to contribute to both research and policy
Y.Bhg. Dato’ Leong Kin Mun, President of Malaysia Biomass Industries Confederation (MBIC) delivering the Welcoming Speech.
»The honourable guest with the participants of the Malaysia Biomass Industry Networking Seminar 2015.
level intervention efforts”, said Dato’ Leong Kin Mun, President of MBIC.
However, he noted one of the biggest drawbacks to the growth of the biomass industry in Malaysia has been the scarcity of knowledge on the various biomass business models. “To overcome this glaring pitfall, MBIC has organised several initiatives, from briefing session with various banking institutions in Malaysia to help create awareness and understanding on biomass business models to facilitate ease of obtaining financing for biomass SMEs.”
“MBIC has become the voice of the biomass sector, a mediating platform that connects the industry and government. As such, we would encourage everyone here to leverage on this platform, not only for networking, partnerships, gaining knowledge and best practices, but to voice out issues and challenges that needs to be brought forth to the government/policy makers”, said Dato’ Leong Kin Mun before ending his speech.
MBIC has marked another stepping stone with the signing of MOU with SIRIM Berhad and the Regional Corridor Development Authority (RECODA) on biomass technology enhancement, and has been witnessed by YB Datuk Dr. Abu Bakar Mohamad Diah and all the participants during the Malaysia Biomass Industry Networking Seminar 2015.
Among notable speakers presenting at the seminar were Ms. Jessica Hong, Principal Consultant, Finet Associates Sdn. Bhd., Mr. Tan Kwang Miang, Director, Strategy & Initiatives, Business Banking, Community Financial Services, Maybank, Dr. Wei-Nee Chen, Chief Corporate Officer, Sustainable Energy Development Authority (SEDA) Malaysia, and Mr. Ong Ewe Hock, Managing Director, DuPont Malaysia Sdn. Bhd.
For more information, please contact MBIC Secretariat at 03-8884 8922 or visit our website at www.biomass.org.my “MOSTI is currently looking towards implementing a “Buy Back” Policy for local innovations so that they can be commercialised. We hope to have an allocation of RM500 million for this purpose, and we are targeting 360 local R&D products to be commercialized over the next six years”
YB Datuk Dr. Abu Bakar Mohamad Diah, Deputy Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation
YB Datuk Dr. Abu Bakar Bin Mohamad Diah (Deputy Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation) giving the Opening Keynote Address.
