MOSTI, CRADLE UNVEIL STARTUP ASEAN TO PROMOTE STI WITHIN REGIONAL STARTUP ECOSYSTEM

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 17 (Bernama) -- The Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MOSTI) and Cradle Fund Sdn Bhd unveiled a digital platform, Startup ASEAN, with the aim to position the ASEAN member states as leading players in the global startup landscape.

MOSTI Minister Chang Lih Kang said Startup ASEAN will promote and facilitate Science, Technology, and Innovation (STI) within the ASEAN startup ecosystem and serve as a gateway to the vibrant ASEAN startup community.

“Startup ASEAN is not just a digital platform but a testament to our shared commitment for fostering innovation, strengthening collaboration and building a robust ecosystem for technological growth,” he said at the Leadership Session in conjunction with the Malaysia-China Summit 2024 today.

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Chang said that in a subsequent few phases of Startup ASEAN, Malaysia will be collaborating with all ASEAN member states to spark the startup ecosystem through an announcement on ASEAN Startup Year 2025 - a full year filled with regional initiatives such as hackathons, festivals, summits and more.

According to MOSTI, the initiative focuses on fostering startup-friendly policies, enhancing ecosystem readiness across the ASEAN member states and driving impactful collaborations to create meaningful partnerships and synergies within the region.

The first initiative under the ASEAN Technology Startup Ignite is a platform curated by a taskforce from all ten ASEAN member states - Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.

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Ahead of its official launch in the second quarter of 2025, Startup ASEAN is inviting startups and ecosystem partners from all ASEAN countries to join the platform. Entrepreneurs can now submit their interest at www.startup-asean.org and be part of the region’s next leap in innovation.

On another development, Chang said the transformative power of digital technologies is immense and AI lies at its heart.

Malaysia and China share a unique opportunity to lead in this space, driving economic growth, fostering innovation and enhancing the well-being of the people.

“To sustain this momentum, we must formalise our priorities in digital trade and innovation through bilateral agreements. Establishing joint task forces and fostering public-private partnerships can drive the implementation of transformative digital projects,” he said.

Meanwhile, Transport Minister Anthony Loke said during his Leadership Session that Malaysia’s strategic location and pro-business government policies make it an ideal destination for investors. 

He said the country aims to attract investments from around the world by offering a conducive environment for businesses to establish their operations, particularly manufacturing facilities.

In recent years, Malaysia has seen a surge in investments in data centres, underscoring its robust digital infrastructure. 

He said: "With the ongoing development of the 5G network, businesses not only benefit from excellent physical connectivity but also advanced digital connectivity, ensuring faster and more efficient internet services.

“This strong infrastructure further strengthens Malaysia’s position as a competitive investment hub.”

Loke, while providing an overview of several key projects in Malaysia, highlighted the country’s ambition to position KL International Airport (KLIA) as a major e-commerce gateway for the ASEAN region.

He noted that Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB), the airport operator, has initiated discussions with a leading cargo airport in northern China to establish a dual-hub strategy. Under this plan, Zhengzhou would serve as the hub for the Chinese market, while KLIA would become the hub for ASEAN destinations.

“KLIA has the potential to emerge as a key cargo hub for Southeast Asia alongside other airports that are also supporting cargo operations,” he added.

-- BERNAMA