(From right) Hashim, MTDC CEO Mohammad Hazani Hassan, Hajiji and Yusof with other delegates in front of the Sedia-MTDC exhibition booth.
KOTA KINABALU: Sabah has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Malaysian Technology Development Corporation (MTDC) to transform ideas by local researchers and innovators into marketable products.
The signing ceremony on Tuesday (Aug 6) between the Sabah Economic Development and Investment Authority (Sedia) and MTDC also envisions the production of high-value products with export potential.
In his welcoming speech, Sedia chief executive Datuk Seri Hashim Paijan said the agreement was the culmination of “months of joint planning”.
“This MoU also functions as a platform for knowledge exchange, networking, and the exploration of new opportunities that will drive Sabah's economic transformation.
“Hopefully the MoU will be able to create widespread opportunities for researchers and innovators, companies, entrepreneurs, or individuals in commercialising the results of studies or research in support of entrepreneurship.
“This is in addition to developing new sectors based on technology and innovation in Sabah,” he added.
The ceremony was witnessed by Chief Minister and Sedia chairman Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor, and attended by federal Deputy Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Datuk Mohammad Yusof Apdal.
Sedia is a statutory body entrusted to serve as the one-stop authority to drive Sabah Development Corridor (SDC) programmes and initiatives.
In a statement, Sedia said the collaboration with MTDC was in response to a previous call by the Chief Minister for study and research centres in Sabah to play a role in developing knowledge and encouraging innovation.
Meanwhile, Sedia also partnered with the MTDC, an agency under the federal ministry, to organise the Road2Growth (R2G) Sabah.
This annual programme is aimed at introducing MTDC services such as its technology development ecosystem and technology investment, in line with its function as a technology investment company.
The main objectives for the R2G Sabah programme include creating awareness and promoting the role of key stakeholders, especially government agencies involved in the technology development ecosystem.
In addition, R2G Sabah intends to develop collaborative relationships among the parties involved in the ecosystem, establishing strategic cooperation and collaboration to promote innovative products and market expansion.
The effort between Sedia and MTDC began on June 24, with two simultaneous events involving a roundtable discussion and strategic meeting.
They were also attended by representatives from local higher education institutions, research institutions, government agencies, chambers of commerce, related private companies as well as related stakeholders.
