MALAYSIA’S MEDICAL DEVICE EXPORTS SURGE 31 PCT TO RM37 BLN IN 2024 - HEALTH MINISTER

PUTRAJAYA, Oct 15 (Bernama) -- Malaysia’s medical device industry continues to demonstrate remarkable growth and resilience, with exports surging by 31 per cent in 2024 to reach RM37 billion.

Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad said between 2021 and 2024, the sector attracted a total of RM20 billion in domestic and foreign investments, contributing approximately RM1.8 billion annually to the national gross domestic product (GDP), and created more than 130,000 high-skilled jobs.

"Under the New Industrial Master Plan 2030 (NIMP 2030), the medical device sector is recognised as a strategic growth driver that enhances Malaysia’s investment value, strengthens the local supply chain, and positions our nation as a world-class hub for medical technology and innovation," he said at the pre-launch of the International Medical Device Exhibition and Conference (IMDEC) 2026 and the MedTechPreneur 1.0 Programme here today.

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He added that the Medical Device Authority (MDA) continues to exemplify progressive and effective regulatory leadership, through the Regulatory Reliance Programme with China and Singapore, which enables devices approved by MDA to be registered through an abridged pathway in those countries and vice versa.

"This milestone signifies a new era of regional collaboration and mutual recognition, reducing duplication and accelerating market access across borders," he said.

On IMDEC 2026, which will be held over three days from Aug 26, 2026 at Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre, Dzulkefly said the event will once again serve as a premier global platform for knowledge exchange, innovation, and collaboration.

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As for the MedTechPreneur 1.0 Programme, a joint initiative between the Health Ministry and the Entrepreneur and Cooperatives Development Ministry (KUSKOP), he said the programme aims to cultivate a new generation of globally competitive MedTech entrepreneurs. 

"It aligns with the MADANI Economy agenda, the National Entrepreneurship Policy 2030, and the NIMP 2030, empowering start-ups and micro, small and medium enterprises to innovate, scale, and enter global markets.

"It also provides structured support across product development, certification, regulatory compliance, and commercialisation," he said, adding that it is a strategic national platform, connecting researchers, universities, industries, and investors to translate Malaysian innovation into world-class medical technologies.

"Through this collaboration, we aim to build a strong ecosystem that transforms Malaysia from consumer to creator, ensuring that our local innovators and entrepreneurs become key players in global healthcare settings," he said.

Meanwhile Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Minister Datuk Ewon Benedick said during his speech at the pre-launch that MedTechPreneur 1.0 would offer entrepreneurs opportunities to be involved in the medical gadget industry and fill spaces in the global supply chain as producers and inventors of future medical technology.

"KUSKOP, which has been given the mandate to head entrepreneurial and cooperatives development, remains committed in helping entrepreneurs and cooperatives in empowering the entrepreneurial ecosystem,” he added.

-- BERNAMA