Kuala Lumpur, 1 July 2024 – The agency under the Ministry of Science, Technology, and Innovation (MOSTI), the Malaysian Bioeconomy Development Corporation (Bioeconomy Corporation), is targeting new investments worth RM1.32 billion for the year 2024, which will be announced during the National Bioeconomy Showcase 2024 (NBiOSHOWCASE 2024) to be held on July 17 and 18, 2024, at the World Trade Centre, Kuala Lumpur. Additionally, Bioeconomy Corporation is aiming for a total contribution of RM2 billion to the country’s GDP from the biotechnology and bio-based industries by the end of 2024. NBiOSHOWCASE 2024 is a biotechnology and bio-based industry summit and exhibition jointly organised by MOSTI and Bioeconomy Corporation as the main organiser.
The Minister of Science, Technology, and Innovation, Yang Berhormat Tuan Chang Lih Kang, stated that the investment and revenue targets will be achieved based on the significant developments and collaborations in the health, industrial, and agricultural biotechnology sectors in Malaysia to date. According to him, from January to May 2024, biotechnology and bio-based companies in Malaysia have recorded a total of RM838 million in new investments and RM1.5 billion in revenue.
“Several important announcements will be made during this event, including significant achievements in one of the targets of the National Biotechnology Policy 2.0 involving local precision medicine, as well as the extended growth of the biosimilar field in Malaysia. Additionally, the exchange of 11 memoranda of understanding/cooperation will take place between biotechnology industry players and public and private entities, which are expected to enhance investment and development in the bioeconomy, strengthen the development of skilled human capital in biotechnology, and empower local bio-based products and services.”
“Through NBiOSHOWCASE 2024, we aim not only to attract investment and industry collaboration but also to win the hearts of Malaysians to embrace biotechnology in their daily lives. This is the spirit of ‘bioeconomy for all,’ which is the theme of this event. We want to show that biotechnology can lead Malaysia towards a high-tech economic modernisation while being accessible and beneficial to all segments of society,” he said at the curtain raiser press conference for NBiOSHOWCASE 2024 here today.
According to the Chief Executive Officer of the Malaysian Bioeconomy Development Corporation (Bioeconomy Corporation), Encik Mohd Khairul Fidzal Abdul Razak, one of the main attractions of NBiOSHOWCASE 2024 is the job opportunities offered in the biotechnology and bio-based industries. “So far, nearly 17,000 job opportunities have been recorded by BioNexus Status companies, Bio-based Accelerator (BBA) companies, and high-impact biotechnology companies in Malaysia. Through NBiOSHOWCASE 2024, we aim to promote and further increase job opportunities for graduates in the biotechnology and bio-based fields. About 15 BioNexus and BBA status companies, as well as companies from the biotechnology and bio-based industries, will be conducting walk-in job interviews at the ‘BioAcademy’ booth. Open interviews and job matching programs through the Biokerjaya portal at BioAcademy will also offer more than 500 job opportunities in the biotechnology and bio-based fields.
“In line with the government’s and MOSTI’s focus on further developing talents in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM), we invite the public, especially school students, undergraduates, graduates, and individuals interested in pursuing careers in biotechnology and bio-based fields to participate in the activities conducted at BioAcademy, such as STEM exposure for school students, career guidance for graduates, and career and entrepreneurship pathways in biotechnology,” said Encik Khairul in his briefing speech delivered by the Senior Vice President of the Industry Support Division, Bioeconomy Corporation, Pn Nora Mohamed.
The NBiOSHOWCASE 2024 event is the ideal platform to achieve the objectives of the National Biotechnology Policy 2.0, which aims to advance the biotechnology and bio-based sectors as key drivers of the national economy towards creating a bio-innovation society by 2030. With the theme “Bioeconomy for All,” this event is open to the public to explore how biotechnology and bio-based industries shape society through innovative solutions. NBiOSHOWCASE 2024 will feature nearly 140 booths with more than 80 exhibitors and is expected to attract 4,000 visitors, including the general public, entrepreneurs, private and public companies, corporate entities, government-linked companies, local and multinational companies, financial and investment institutions, technology providers, universities and research institutions, job seekers and recruitment companies, school and university students, graduates, ministries, and government agencies.
The programmes and activities during the event include special forums and sharing sessions by industry experts, funding and job opportunities, product launches, MoU exchanges, exhibitions of BioNexus Status and BBA companies, product sales, business networking, laboratory demonstrations, activities for school students, opportunities to taste biotechnology-based food and beverages, sustainability efforts through Corporate Social Responsibility, as well as quizzes and games.
NBiOSHOWCASE has received strong support from a total of 15 sponsors among major biotechnology industry players, such as Platinum Sponsor Alps Global Holding Berhad, an integrated biotechnology, medical, and health company in Malaysia that develops precision medicine through genomic DNA, mRNA, and cellular therapy technologies. NBiOSHOWCASE is also sponsored by key industry leaders including YHL Foods Sdn. Bhd., Free The Seed Sdn. Bhd., Nature Similars Sdn. Bhd., GoodMorning Global Sdn. Bhd., Sarawak Digital Economy Corporation, Mirxes Pte Ltd, Nextgreen Global Berhad, Biocon Sdn. Bhd., Malaysian Technology Development Corporation Sdn. Bhd., Invest Selangor Berhad, MTC Orec Sdn. Bhd., Entomal Biotech Sdn. Bhd., ReNIKOLA Holdings Sdn. Bhd., with the Sarawak State Government as a strategic partner, Glyken as a bird’s nest-based beverage sponsor, and Bernama as the media partner.
For more information, please visit https://linktr.ee/NBiOSHOWCASE2024 or contact nbioshowcase2024@bioeconomycorporation.my.
