MIGHT is right for hi-tech input

Malaysia is on a mission to promote sustainable growth through the use of high technology. Biotechnology and other knowledge-intensive investments are regarded as vital to the growth of the economy.

“Technology and knowledge-intensive investments are key factors to furthering the development of Malaysia,” says Ahmed Tasir Lope Pihie, President and Chief Executive of the Malaysian Industry Government Group for High Technology (MIGHT).

“In terms of our production, if you look at cost structures, it is clear that Malaysia has to go to the higher-end of the market. Malaysian firms can no longer afford to compete on low labour and land costs. It’s all about our capability to add value to our products.”

Operating under the purview of the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation, MIGHT is an independent and non-profit organisation seeking to foster partnership between industry and government in high technology.

“Our role is to enable consensus building and coordination,” says Dr Ahmed.

MIGHT manages several national projects on the government’s behalf. These include the Malaysia Microchip (MM) Project under which Senstech Sdn Bhd, a wholly owned subsidiary, recently developed the world's smallest Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) microchip with a built-in antenna.

MIGHT has undertaken various studies including research into formulation of national biotechnology policy, identification of business and R&D opportunities in the applications of nanotechnology, herbal industry business model development and the national Brain Gain programme.

Dr Ahmed identifies biotechnology as one of Malaysia’s most promising areas for value-added production. “Malaysia has abundant and diverse resources that make it a natural place for biotechnology,” he says. “Through it, we can come up with all sorts of value-added products that can be exported on an international scale.”