Boost for local products
The Star – 26/4/2006  
PUTRAJAYA: “Made in Malaysia” products must be truly Malaysian.  
To achieve this, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi has allocated RM2bil for fundamental works, research and development (R&D) and aggressive marketing of locally developed technology.  
He wants “100% Malaysian-made” products to be sold worldwide and products that carry the “Made in Malaysia” label to be truly made locally, from the drawing board to packaging and marketing.  It was not enough for products to be called Malaysian merely because they were assembled here, he said, adding that the time was right for Malaysia to export its technology in the form of products made locally by talented and creative Malaysians.  Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Datuk Seri Dr Jamaluddin Jarjis said this was the message from Abdullah during his meeting with members of the Malaysian Industry-Government Group for High Technology (MIGHT) and technology-based industry key players yesterday. The Prime Minister is the patron of MIGHT.  
“The Government plays a crucial supporting role in this effort by providing funds and financial assistance, not only for fundamental research works but also for the industry to take the product to the market,” Dr Jamaluddin told a press conference at the end of the meeting.  We hope the funds will act as an initiative for more research to be done so that Malaysia can one day export its technology to the world.  We also want to see the industry being more aggressive in marketing and promoting technology and products, now that the Government has provided the funds.”   
Dr Jamaluddin said the existing fund under his ministry had undergone a restructuring exercise and the result was the setting up of two separate funds – one exclusively to carry out research and fundamental works by scientists and experts, and another to assist the industry “bring” technology into the market.  
The first fund, known as the Science Fund, has an allocation of RM600mil while the Fund for the Industry amounts to RM1.2bil. The Government, through the ministry, has also set aside RM200mil solely to finance R&D works carried out by local universities.  
“The Prime Minister is enthusiastic and committed about seeing Malaysian-made technology in the local and international market, and doubled funds for such a purpose under the Ninth Malaysia Plan from the previous Plan,” Dr Jamaluddin said.  
“In fact, members of the industry who need financial assistance can start applying for funds beginning from May 1.”  
Source: The Star | http://thestar.com.my