Malaysian plastics industry explores sustainability in a conference

The Malaysian Plastics Manufacturers Association, MPMA had its 6th MPMA International Plastics Conference (MIPC) on October 2 at Saujana Hotel which was officially opened by YB Datuk Haji Fadillah Bin Haji Yusof, Deputy Minister, Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MOSTI). The two-day Conference is themed “Sustainable Development in the Plastics Industry” and provided the setting for exchange of information on human capital development as well as innovation and technology among experts, both local and foreign.

More than 30 world experts from science, technology and innovation-success countries, like Germany, America and South Korea shared ideas on how the plastics industry can enhance their businesses taking into cognisance sustainability. About 150 participants attended the Conference.

Some of the country’s role captains in human capital development who have strong views about the nation’s transformation agenda were also one of the many few selected speakers at the plenary session on human capital development.

MPMA’s President, Mr Lim Kok Boon, in his address said that innovation is greatly emphasized as one of Malaysia’s New Economic Model’s strategic areas. In the innovation based economy, “knowledge” and “know-how” are the main drivers of economic growth instead of “land” and “raw materials”. As such it requires innovators and entrepreneurs not only to create new things, but also to create new ‘sustainable’ values that bring benefits to all.

He further elaborated, “Recognizing the very urgent and real need for the plastics industry in Malaysia to move ahead in a structured manner, MPMA had developed a Technology Roadmap in 2008 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 our members must focus on five core areas which are, Advanced Materials; New Product Development; Advanced Manufacturing Technology; Education and Training; and Sustainable Development.” He also expressed gratitude to the Economic Planning Unit for allocating RM3 million for higher skills training for the plastics industry and since then, MPMA had already initiated the MPMA Talent Development Programme.

In his officiating address, YB Datuk Haji Fadillah commended MPMA on its Talent Development Programme (TDP) for the plastics sector, an advance level training programme aimed at creating a higher skilled workforce.  In this context, he urged all SMEs to take the opportunity to adopt the MPMA TDP which is a subsidised programme for the Malaysian plastics industry.

YB Datuk Haji Fadillah Bin Haji Yusof added, “Through the various transformation programme laid out by the government, the  private sector is expected to play a largerBasketball Shoes