Malaysia develops roadmap for plastics industry

The Malaysian Plastics Manufacturers Association (MPMA) has developed a roadmap from inputs provided by companies from the plastics industry that will act as a guide for plastic manufacturers to meet the aspirations of the government's New Economic Model (NEM). This was revealed by MPMA's President, Mr Lim Kok Boon, at the MPMA 43rd Anniversary Dinner. According to Mr. Lim, "MPMA has developed a Technology Roadmap which is aimed at transforming the Malaysian plastics industry into a world class player within the next decade. To achieve this vision, the Roadmap has identified that MPMA members must pursue a strategy that is defined by 4 key elements, namely: New Applications, Speed to Market, Enabling Infrastructure and Sustainability. To achieve this strategy, the Roadmap focuses on five core areas which are, Advanced Materials; New Product Development; Advanced Manufacturing Technology; Education and Training; and Sustainable Development." The NEM articulates on the need to develop a quality workforce by increasing industry driven training and skills upgrading programmes; focus on innovative processes and cutting-edge technology for high value added goods; reduce the dependency on foreign labour. On the first proposal of developing a quality workforce, MPMA had proposed to relevant government agencies establish a grant that covers 100% of the cost for higher skilled training courses. The grant would act as an incentive for companies - especially the SMEs - to upgrade skills and competence to a higher level thus helping to transform companies. MPMA is actively pursuing this proposal as this would assist in implementing the Roadmap for the Plastics Industry. Mr Lim had said that on the second proposal of focusing on innovative processes and cutting-edge technology, MPMA is fully supportive of this proposal, considering that the high export: turnover ratio registered by the plastics industry over the last few years was due to MPMA members increasingly focusing on quality. MPMA members vowed to continuously upgrade machines and technology. Inview of the rapid technological changes, many manufacturing companies find the need to constantly reinvest in new and more advanced plant and machinery to maintain their competitive edge as older ones become obsolete or less productive. Mr Lim had added that this requires heavy reinvestments in plant and machinery that many companies find prohibitive if they are not able to claim the RA after 15 years. Acquiring advanced manufacturing technology is one of the identified key areas of the MPMA Roadmap, and is important to the industry if it is to remain competitive. MPMA has requested the Malaysian Government to relax the RA claimable period by allowing manufacturing companies to claim on RA on their reinvestment expenditure with no time limit, as this would assist tremendously in maintaining the productivity and competitiveness of the plastics manufacturing sector by enabling manufacturers to invest in new machines to achieve better efficiencies. The MPMA also proposed to be granted off-peak rates for electricity charges. The final proposal is aimed at reducing dependency on foreign workers and the roadmap, when fully implemented, would result in an increase in locally trained skilled labour to further complement its members' investments in advanced machines and automated processes. In the interim, the members would want to continue hiring foreign workers as a sudden shortage of workers will severely affect the plastics industry's ability to produce and supply to Malaysian plastics manufacturers' overseas customers.(the end)Adidas Glitch Skin