KOTA KINABALU, March 2, 2024 – Deputy Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, YB Dato’ Haji Mohammad Yusof bin Apdal today launched the ‘Jelajah Bioekonomi 2024’ roadshow, a programme under the Malaysian Bioeconomy Development Corporation (Bioeconomy Corporation). The expedition programme supports the National Biotechnology Policy 2.0 (DBN 2.0) in addressing challenges faced by most players in the biotechnology and bio-based industries, such as limited access to financing, difficulties in obtaining certifications, accreditations and market access, as well as challenges in finding knowledgeable workers.
YB Dato’ Haji Mohammad Yusof called on entrepreneurs, companies, and talents in the biotechnology and bio-based industries, especially in the Borneo region, to participate in Jelajah Bioekonomi and take advantage of the services provided by the Bioeconomy Corporation to support their industry needs. “Until 2023, a total of 488 BioNexus and BBA status companies have secured approved investments worth RM8.3 billion, generating RM20.4 billion revenues and creating nearly 15,000 job opportunities in Malaysia. Since 2021, more than 1,800 candidates have registered under the BeST 2.0 programme to be placed and trained as workers in BioNexus and BBA status companies, with a job intake rate of 96%,” he added during the launch of the programme here today.
According to the Chief Executive Officer of Bioeconomy Corporation, YBrs. En. Mohd Khairul Fidzal Abdul Razak, “We aim to attract a total of 65 companies from across Malaysia to join the BioNexus Status and BBA programmes, and 120 candidates to join the BeST 2.0 programme through the ‘Jelajah Bioekonomi’ series this year. Bioeconomy Corporation will closely follow up with these players and ensure they are given access to all the promised facilities and assistance. With the spirit of bioeconomy for all, we believe ‘Jelajah Bioekonomi’ will produce another generation of great entrepreneurs, companies, and talents who are innovative and competitive through the guidance of programmes organised by MOSTI together with Bioeconomy Corporation,” he added.
The ‘Jelajah Bioekonomi’ series will be conducted at nine locations including Kota Kinabalu, Tawau, and Sandakan in Sabah, Kuching and Miri in Sarawak, as well as the Northern, Eastern, Southern, and Central regions of Peninsular Malaysia throughout 2024. Through this series, industry players will be exposed to facilitation services provided by Bioeconomy Corporation that can enhance business performance, expand operational scale, and facilitate their acceptance of special incentives such as tax incentives. These facilities include product development, certification, laboratory test recognition, as well as Research, Development, Commercialisation, and Innovation (R,D,C&I) facilities. Bioeconomy Corporation also collaborates with MOSTI and other agencies under its purview by providing advisory services and support in market access, financing, tax assistance, immigration services, regulatory affairs, intellectual property, as well as talent and knowledgeable worker development.
