ASTRI Tech to Support Malaysian Manufacturing Transformation Tapping on Opportunities brought by Malaysia’s New Industrial Master Plan

[15 November 2024, Hong Kong] The Hong Kong Applied Science and Technology Research Institute (ASTRI) has signed a memorandum of cooperation (MoU) with the Federation of Malaysian Manufacturers (FMM) to support the digital transformation of Malaysia’s diversified industries. The MoU, signed on 8 November, will leverage ASTRI’s homegrown smart manufacturing technologies to help modernise FMM members’ operations.

The partnership aligns with Malaysia’s New Industrial Master Plan 2030 (NIMP 2030) launched in September 2023, which aims to enhance industrial capacity and resilience for long-term, sustainable growth through technology-aided transformation of some 3,000 smart factories.

ASTRI Board Chairman Ir Sunny Lee and President of FMM Tan Sri Dato’ Soh Thian Lai signed the MoU, witnessed by Ms Libera Cheng, Director General of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Jakarta, and Mr Jacob Lee, Chairman of the FMM Industry 4.0 and Digital Economy Committee.

Promote Smart Manufacturing Technology Adoption
“This partnership marks a significant step towards enhancing industrial transformation and economic development in Malaysia,” said Ir Lee. “We are extremely pleased that ASTRI has earned FMM’s trust to take part in this journey. ASTRI will pursue joint research and development opportunities with FMM’s members, facilitating knowledge exchange and promoting Hong Kong’s smart manufacturing technologies adoption in Malaysia. This collaboration will strengthen the technological ecosystem between the two regions, creating more business expansion opportunities for Malaysian enterprises through I&T,” said Ir Sunny Lee, Chairman of ASTRI.

“To ensure Malaysian manufacturers take the leap of change and future-proof themselves, FMM and ASTRI have enhanced our partnership to promote smart manufacturing technology. Together, we aim to support SMEs in their digital transformation journey, reskill talent, and foster stronger collaboration between Malaysia and Hong Kong in the field of Industry 4.0.” explained Tan Sri Dato’ Soh Thian Lai, President of FMM.

The NIMP 2030 focuses on elevating Malaysian SMEs through enhanced technological adoption and higher value-added opportunities. The initiative seeks to boost productivity and reducing dependence on low-skilled labour, whilst building ESG capacity to ensure continued participation in MNC supply chains and access to ESG-conscious export markets.

Explore collaboration with Government, Industry, Academia and Research
As part of the initiative, Ir Lee led a delegation to Malaysia to access the manufacturing landscape and promote bilateral collaboration. The group, including ASTRI board members Dr Alfred Ng and Mr Anthony Tong, alongside ASTRI Acting Chief Executive Officer and Chief Technology Officer, Dr Ying Huang, visited Hexa Food’s automated facility, and met with representatives from key organisations, including the Malaysian Industrial Standards Institute (SIRIM Berhad), the Hong Kong-Malaysia Chamber of Commerce (HKMBA), and the Associated Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Malaysia (ACCCIM).

The delegation showcased ASTRI’s advanced industrial technologies whilst gaining insights into Malaysian’s smart manufacturing progress, establishing groundwork for future cross-sector collaboration.

Witnessed by Ms Libera Cheng (right), Director General of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Jakarta, and Mr Jacob Lee (left), Chairman of the FMM Industry 4.0 and Digital Economy Committee, Ir Sunny Lee (2nd from right), Chairman of ASTRI, and Tan Sri Dato’ Soh Thian Lai (2nd from left), President of FMM, signed an MoU to promote smart manufacturing technologies collaboration