KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 9 (Bernama) -- The Science, Technology and Innovation Ministry (MOSTI) hopes Budget 2026 will give due attention to efforts to strengthen the research and development (R&D) sector, the startup ecosystem and the cultivation of a science culture in Malaysia.
Minister Chang Lih Kang said the three areas are key pillars for the ministry to ensure that the science, technology and innovation (STI) sector continues to contribute to the country’s economic growth.
He said consistent investment in R&D is crucial to ensure that research outcomes can be translated into new technological discoveries that benefit both the people and industries.
“For example, countries like Korea invest about 4.5 per cent of their gross domestic product (GDP) in R&D, which is why they are far ahead of us. Malaysia currently invests around one per cent, and our GDP size is also smaller.
“So, investment in R&D is closely linked to national progress,” he told reporters after launching Bioxceed 2025, held in conjunction with the National Innovation and Commercialisation Expo (NICE 2025) at the World Trade Centre Kuala Lumpur today.
Chang also emphasised the importance of continuous, rather than one-off, R&D allocations, to enable the ministry to plan long-term strategies.
On artificial intelligence, he said MOSTI views the technology as part of its broader focus on emerging technologies and research.
Bioxceed 2025 is a joint initiative between Bioeconomy Corporation and the Malaysian Technology Development Corporation to explore practical solutions for commercialising local products and technologies with global market potential.
The collaboration also seeks to strengthen the nation’s biotechnology ecosystem.
-- BERNAMA
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