By NUR HAZIQAH A MALEK / Graphic By TMR

Malaysian Investment Development Authority (Mida) said developing opportunities for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to participate in the multinational corporations (MNCs) supply chains has been an ongoing effort, especially in the infrastructure development.

“Recognising that infrastructure development is an important catalyst to promote investments to spur the country’s economic growth, we are intensifying efforts to promote sustainable linkages between stakeholders,” Mida CEO Datuk Azman Mahmud said yesterday in a statement.

He said this in conjunction with the launch of the National Supply Chain Conference on Rail Projects at the Putra World Trade Centre, Kuala Lumpur, yesterday.

The conference held a panel presentation regarding opportunities in the supply chains of infrastructure projects that are taking place.

The presentation, moderated by Astro Awani lead business editor and executive producer Ibrahim Sani, featured speakers from Land Public Transport Commission, Prasarana Malaysia Bhd, Mass Rapid Transit Corp Sdn Bhd, Malaysia Rail Link Sdn Bhd and MyHSR Corp Sdn Bhd.

Also present were 28 key exhibits focusing on rail projects’ development, including Keretapi Tanah Melayu Bhd and other rail-related industry players.

The conference registered over 2,000 participants, and among them were industry players as well as local authorities, business chambers and embassies.

Azman said Mida has also sparked the discussion on industrial parks’ development.

“Our Industrial Park Forum is a response to meet the needs of new industries, particularly in terms of Internet connectivity, Industry 4.0 elements, efficient management of park facilities, eco-waste management and adequate utility requirements supply,” he said.

He added that Malaysia Rail Industry Corp, a group formed by 31 local rail industry companies, has proposed to set up a dedicated industrial park to streamline the rail industrial ecosystem.

In conjunction with the conference, a two-day career fair is held to provide job seekers with open interview opportunities.

The career fair recorded 100 participating companies from rail-related companies that are offering 20,000 vacancies of varying levels.

MyHSR Corp and various institutions also exchanged memoranda of understanding to include rail-related curriculum in their programmes during the conference.