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Nation to be top engineering hub [New Straits Time (Malaysia)](New Straits Time (Malaysia) Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) KUALA LUMPUR: Top American electronics industry players in Malaysia have initiated a strategic plan which will help the country become one of the leading engineering design centres and competency hubs in the world. The key players, which include top investors such as Intel, Western Digital, Agilent Technologies and Motorola, want to set future strategic directions for the electrical and electronics (E&E) sector, which include the recognition of "globally competitive E&E ecosystem". They also want to develop local competencies in green technology, medical devices and embedded systems. As part of the Malaysian American Electronics Industry (MAEI), these companies - many of which have been in the country for more than 40 years - want the strategic body to have on board competent people from the industry and public sector and will develop and review strategies on a regular basis. MAEI is the industry group of the American Malaysian Chamber of Commerce. MAEI chairman Datuk Wong Siew Hai said Malaysia had significant potential to position itself strategically in the region to attract and grow a knowledge-based economy and increase exports in value- added goods. "Continuous improvements are required, especially in human resources development, and the MAEI companies are optimistic about expanding their high-value operations in Malaysia." The players held their first dialogue with the Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA) yesterday. "We have recommended how to position the E&E industry in the future. "With many of us having been here for a long time and having seen so many changes, we have various input on what to do to tackle global competitiveness. "Although there is quite a lot already happening in the country with the involvement of various ministries, we feel that a strategic body is necessary." MIDA chief executive officer Datuk Noharuddin Nordin was optimistic about the strategic body, saying input from the private sector was crucial as the private sector would drive growth in the E&E industry. These key investors have brought global E&E operations to Malaysian shores, contributing to the rapid growth in the communications sector. Talent shortage remained a major concern in various engineering fields, necessitating "major intervention" in addressing the issue, added Wong. "They (the players) continue to face hiring difficulties for engineers and technical workforce in design and development (D&D), which include software engineers, integrated circuit design engineers and specialists." MAEI players had more than 63,000 workers within their employ last year, one third being engineers and professionals working in D&D, shared services and high-tech manufacturing operations support. (c) 2013 ProQuest Information and Learning Company; All Rights Reserved. |