Langkawi: Sirim BHD is assigned with an important mandate to adopt smart manufacturing among more than 1,200 SMEs, aimed at accelerating its infection from industry 1.5 to industry 4.0.
Sirim Chairman and Group CEO Datuk Dr. According to Ahmed Sabirin Arshad, one of the most pressurized challenges lies traditionally to convert labor-intensive industries into modern, automated operations-an ambitious change that also presents important opportunities for productivity, efficiency and long-term competition.
“We hope that by 2030, Malaysia can be independent of foreign labor and achieve complete automation, which may improve productivity across the country and increase high average income.
“However, smart manufacturing involves important costs in changing SMEs. That is why through the Smart Tech-up program, the subsidy is providing subsidy to support these technologies and we are offering technical intervention to assist industries on the way,” he explained. Sunbiz Yesterday at the 17th Langakavi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition (Lima 2025).
He said that to support the change in smart manufacturing of local SMEs, the government is providing funding assistance, while Sirim Bank Negra collaborates with agencies such as midf under the supervision of Malaysia, to ensure that these businesses can use financing at the lowest possible interest rates.
“And we are collaborating with many multinationals that are ready to share their automation systems with Malaysia, enabling a smooth transition from our current situation to our desired future. Our primary focus is on manufacturing sector, especially in electrical and electronics, even though many intended companies are in food and drink place.
“This attention is important to ensure that Malaysia maintains its position as one of the leading semiconductor producers in the world,” said Ahmed Sabirin.
To strengthen the manufacturing ecosystem of Malaysia, he said, SME needs to cultivate each other and third levels that can effectively support multinational corporations operated in the country.
While financial assistance remains important, the stakeholders of the industry have expressed that the most importance they give is a clear insights of global technology in the future – to highlight their infection in advanced manufacturing, to highlight the need for strong guidance, foresight and strategic grooming from the government to facilitate their transition in advanced manufacturing, said Ahmed Sabirin.
“To ensure that local industries are not left behind, Sirim Malaysia is working closely with the Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation and agencies such as investment, trade and industry, creating a harmonious ecosystem that supports global exports of high-value products.
“By aligning efforts, target Malaysia is to be ranked as a competitive exporter in high-growth, high-value areas. Already with foreign operations, Sirim aims to strengthen the role of his leadership in both national and ASEAN in the next three to five years.
“We are planning to establish more offices globally, and through these efforts, our goal is not only to increase the international appearance of Sirim, but also to help bring Malaysian SME on the global platform. I believe, the most important objective is,” Ahmed Sabirin said.
