ICQI 2025 SETS STAGE FOR MALAYSIA TO LEAD IN AI AND SUSTAINABILITY

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 18 (Bernama) -- Malaysia aims to become Southeast Asia’s hub for artificial intelligence (AI) and make AI a cornerstone of its economy by 2030, said Investment, Trade and Industry Ministry (MITI) Deputy Secretary-General (Investment & Management) Datuk Bahria Mohd Tamil.

Speaking at the opening of the International Conference on Quality and Innovation (ICQI 2025), Bahria said the event serves as a confluence of ideas that will chart the course for Malaysia's industrial excellence and sustainable future.

She said commended SIRIM Bhd for bringing together global experts to share knowledge and promote sustainable industrial development, noting that the conference theme, “Quality and Sustainability through AI-Driven Innovation,” aligns with Malaysia’s national priorities.

“AI is a key enabler of industrial transformation, supporting productivity, innovation and sustainability for the benefit of both business and society,” she said.

Malaysia's premier organisation for standards, technology and quality advancement, SIRIM Bhd today launched ICQI 2025 alongside the inaugural International Industry Exhibition (IIE 2025). Together, the events aim to position the country as a regional hub for responsible AI and sustainability-driven innovation.

The two-day conference brings together global leaders, policymakers and industry experts to explore AI’s transformative role in industry and society. It supports Malaysia's ambition, outlined in the National AI Roadmap, to become an AI-driven nation by 2030.

Bahria also highlighted that under the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP) and the National Industrial Master Plan (NIMP 2030), Malaysia plans to convert 3,000 factories into AI-enabled smart facilities by 2030, integrate ethical AI governance and green infrastructure, and invest in talent development, including RM50 million for AI education and RM600 million for AI research and development.

“The 13MP and NIMP 2030 position Malaysia as a generative AI hub, empowering local companies to design novel products, detect manufacturing defects and develop high-value industries,” she said.

SIRIM chairman Datuk Khairol Anuar Mohamad Tawi, in his welcoming speech, said the event marks a milestone for both the organisation and Malaysia's broader industrial ecosystem.

“We bring together leaders from government, industry, academia and the global political community under one roof, reaffirming a shared belief that quality, innovation and sustainability are no longer optional. They are national imperatives,” he said.

He said building on the momentum of ICQI 2024, which explored the relationship between quality and sustainability, ICQI 2025 now focuses on the transformative power of AI.

“AI has evolved from a promising technology into a transformative force redefining industry. It enhances productivity and enables better pre-conditioning for greener and smarter solutions. ICQI 2025 is a platform to spark open dialogue,” he said.

The conference promotes knowledge exchange and collaboration among leaders, policymakers and practitioners, to generate practical and scalable solutions for sustainable development.

The concurrent IIE 2025 features more than 70 AI-driven technologies and innovations, providing a platform for industrial collaboration and commercialisation.

Khairol stressed that SIRIM’s mandate is to support industries in embedding innovation, quality and sustainability as core pillars of their operations.

“Through our competencies in standards development, certification, testing, inspection, metrology and capacity building, we continue to assist companies in aligning with international standards, facilitating access to global markets and applying AI-driven solutions,” he said.

A key highlight of the event is the formal exchange of a memorandum of understanding between SIRIM QAS International and the Uzbek Center for Scientific Testing and Quality Control. The partnership aims to enhance bilateral cooperation in testing, inspection and certification services.

By fostering the exchange of expertise and aligning standards, the collaboration will facilitate smoother market access for industries in both Malaysia and Uzbekistan, strengthening trade relations and advancing a shared commitment to quality and innovation.

Also present were Digital Minister Gobind Singh Deo, SIRIM QAS international chairman Datuk Omar Shariff Mydeen, and SIRIM Academy chairperson Rema Devi Padmanabhan.

-- BERNAMA