MIGHT will lead a delegation to Penang, a northwest state of Malaysia known for both electronics manufacturing and its rich cultural history. The capital is a unique innovation hub and a tourist destination recognized as UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Visit to the Northern Corridor Implementing Agency (Biotech Centre)

The State of Penang has special importance in the Malaysian industrial development context. Penang attracted many Western and Asian high tech OEMs, forming a cluster on E&E and ICT companies oriented toward the external market and concentrating an important part of the industrial FDI that Malaysia received.

In the 2000’s, new development strategies and initiatives were launched in Malaysia, including the Malaysian Economic Corridors effort. A series of new agencies were incorporated to support their implementation, partnering with industry. As manufacturing and industries in general are being transformed by disruptive technologies, Penang’s future growth becomes centrally oriented towards advanced manufacturing and future industries. Northern Corridor Implementing Agency (NCIA) has an important role in Penang’s industrial development apart from the state and federal governments. Organizations like the CREST, SIRIM, PDC and PSDC, among others, were important players in that context.

GFCC members will have a chance to engage in a conversation with Penang leading policy, research and business stakeholders, reviewing key developments in the Region’s history and current industrial development strategies and initiatives. The conversation will address three key topics:

• Industrial development and regional development frameworks, policies and initiatives in the Northern Corridor.

• Institutional landscape, multi-stakeholder governance and strategic management of industrial development initiatives in E&E industry

• Advanced manufacturing and disruptive technologies in the context of future production and industrial development.