propelling research outcomes to market

November 2014 - March 2015 | Complimentary Issue

my.linkedin.com/malaysian-technology-development-corporation

Can you provide a brief history of MTDC and its role in nation building and developing entrepreneurship in the field of science & technology?Malaysian Technology Development Corporation (MTDC), a company wholly-owned by Khazanah Nasional Berhad, was established by the Government in 1992 to be the intermediary organisation between universities and industry, and to support the development of technology-based companies in Malaysia especially those which commercialised universities’ technologies. It has also been entrusted by the Government to manage various grants and funds for Malaysian companies to increase their technology content via commercialisation of local research and development (R&D) and / or acquisition of foreign technology. In addition, MTDC also manages Technology Centres which focus on various industry clusters located at several universities and research institutes. Under the 10th Malaysia Plan, the role of MTDC had been expanded to create an integrated ecosystem for commercialisation of homegrown technologies – providing a range of funds which are designed to assist companies across their development stages, several locations for them to locate their businesses and a comprehensive list of advisory services including assistance to go international. To date how many companies have MTDC nurtured and what are their socioeconomic contribution to the country?Since its inception, MTDC has nurtured over 600 companies under the Commercialisation of Research and Development Fund (CRDF) and Technology Acquisition Fund (TAF) programme. Based on a recent study commissioned by MTDC, the combined total sales of a sampling of these companies was RM 1.824 billion. These companies also created a total of 5,250 new jobs and filed 510 Intellectual Property Rights.

Can you provide a rough breakdown of the companies under MTDC and the disciplines there are involved in?MTDC funds technology-based companies - basically we have all disciplines covered, from advanced material to agriculture to engineering. Biotech and manufacturing are the most dominant sectors.

What made you bring AUTM to Malaysia?We need to increase the technology content and capability of our SMEs as well as create new technology companies. The best and relatively affordable source of technology would be the local universities and research institutes . To ensure technology does get transferred out from the labs to the industries, knowledge on the technology transfer processes is as important as establishing the ecosystem for this to take place. AUTM conference is one of the avenues where professionals in technology transfer and commercialisation congregate to exchange experience and best practices amongst the community. AUTM conferences are usually held in USA. Since the last four years though, AUTM has started organising AUTM Asia. And this is great for our community. Bringing AUTM Asia to Kuala Lumpur makes the cost of attaining knowledge on technology transfer and establishing regional networks cheaper to all Malaysians as well as technology transfer professionals from ASEAN countries.

The more people understand the importance of technology transfer and commercialisation and it’s processes, the more conducive will the ecosystem be. Everybody will benefit!In addition to that, being host of AUTM Asia provides MTDC and Malaysia an opportunity to foster greater collaborations between ASEAN organisations. Taking note of the fact that Malaysia is the Chairman of ASEAN for 2015.

How did you manage to bring this high profile conference to Malaysia and what were the pull factors that made Malaysia the host?MTDC organises an annual conference relevant to AUTM ie MTDC’s Technology Transfer & Commercialisation Conference (MTCC) which has acquired a good footing to attract local as well as international delegates. During MTCC 2013, the then President of AUTM, Mr Sean Flanigan was one of the plenary speakers. It was a very successful conference, well attended and vibrant with good discussions on various topics related to university technology transfer. We then received an invitation to submit a proposal for AUTM Asia 2015. We submitted the proposal and during AUTM Asia Taipei 2014, MTDC was announced as the next host. What are the direct benefits of AUTM to local researchers, academia and companies?One of the things we need to do is to increase the rate of technology transfer from the institute of higher learnings and research institutes to the industry. AUTM Asia 2015 Kuala Lumpur will bring together both groups. Since our inception in 1992, we have assisted more than 600 local companies to acquire technology. We have technology centres in five research entities in Malaysia. The upcoming event will be their meeting point and the potential of networks that can be established is tremendous. In addition to that, there is that opportunity to be part of the international community of technology transfer professionals. There are ideas to be exchanged, lessons to be learnt, pitfalls to be avoided and best practices to be emulated amongst participants. What are the main challenges faced by entrepreneurs involved in the S&T in Malaysia?The challenges faced by technology-based companies in Malaysia are not unique

compared to other countries. Basically, the challenges are in developing the technology and bringing it to the market-here, the issue of speed maybe more relevant as compared to developed countries, access to and size of market-technopreneurs need to think global from the start, as well as funding opportunities and risks appetite of funders especially private funders. There are also, depending on industries, some challenges on the soft infrastructure eg standards and harmonization between countries. How does MTDC intend to address these challenges?We have been doing a lot of things to continuously improve the various components of the commercialisation ecosystem. In fact we have evolved continously too, to adapt and to take the lead in forging closer collaborations

between all the main players, the Triple Helix if you like. We started as a purely conventional venture capital company.

Today we like to see ourselves as an integrated technology development organisation providing a complete range of solutions to our clients. Of course, some are provided by MTDC itself and some by our partners. We strongly believe in inculcating a symbiotic relationship where everyone benefits from the partnership. Strong partnership with universities will assist in speedier technology transfer as well as bringing a product to the market. We also work with banks and other financing bodies to compliment our funding regime. Besides that we work very closely with other government agencies who could assist companies to enter markets both here and overseas. The final challenge is the quality and the number of entrepreneurs itself. Because technology cannot and does not sell by itself, we need a good number of entrepreneurs who are willing to take the risk of commercialising university technologies.

We have started a program which we called Symbiosis to create new entrepreneurs. We also work with the Ministry of Education to foster closer university-industry collaboration via the recently launched Public-Private Research Network (PPRN) How would you describe MTDC’s aspiration for Malaysia?We share the vision of the country. We see Malaysia as a member of the developed countries community in 2020, driven by its entrepreneurs and industries that are in turn powered by technologies developed via local research, collaborative cross border R&D and business partnerships, and judicious foreign technology acquisition . After all, these are the three things we are working on right now.

Propelling research outcomes to marketThe Association of University Technology Managers (AUTM) is a global body that supports and advances academic technology between science and industries. This international caucus serves as a catalyst to propel research outcomes from the laboratory into beneficial products to serve humanity. As MTDC is one of the pioneers in the country to bond the private and the public sector and nurture technology-based companies, we take this opportunity to interview its CEO, Dato’ Norhalim Yunus (pix). MTDC will be hosting AUTM Asia 2015 next month in Kuala Lumpur. The conference will see the largest gathering of academia research institutions, industry, technology transfer professionals and entrepreneurs in Asia.

2 | MTDC NEWS November 2014 - March 2015

Source : New Straits Times Source : The Sun Daily

KUALA LUMPUR: The Public-Private Research Network (PPRN) will be a catalyst for innovation, knowledge-sharing and technological advancement for local companies once it goes into full gear next year.

The PPRN, first announced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak when he tabled the 2015 budget, is currently in its second pilot test.

The initiative is a collaboration between the Education Ministry, Malaysian Technology Development Corporation, SME Corp and private industries.

Speaking at a press conference on the project, Education Ministry secretary-general II Datuk Seri Zaini Ujang said PPRN would bridge the gap between the needs of the industries and the knowledge of academics.

He said there were over 40,000 lecturers and researchers in the country but a lot of research related to technology and industries was supply-driven.

“We want to shift to more demand-driven research,” he said, adding that the PPRN would seek to solve specific issues faced by companies in relation to the application of technology.

He said that aside from the matching role it played, PPRN would also create an ecosystem of knowledge in the country at a cost advantage to local companies.The government has allocated RM50 million for research grants, but the cost of each research would be borne by both the company involved and the government.

Also at the press conference was PPRN advisor Prof Diego Comin, who said Malaysian companies needed to invest more in technology in order to be more competitive.

Comin said there were three main problems faced by companies in this respect, such as looking for a researcher, drawing up a contract to protect intellectual properties and encapsulating knowledge spillover.

He said there were also cases where researchers had been pushed to develop new products and failed, as they lacked other skills and knowledge, such as marketing and management.

This, he said, was where PPRN could play a role, by bridging the gap between industries and academicians, and helping draw up contracts between the parties involved.

Comin predicted that PPRN would act as a catalyst for companies to work more with academicians in the future, as well as create job opportunities in which companies hired academicians to work directly for them.

Linking industry and academics

by DJOHAN SHAHRIN SHAH by SHARIDAN M. ALI

Source : Sentinext Therapeutics Source : The Star

Asian Scientist (Nov. 13, 2014) - Sentinext Therapeutics, a Malaysian biotechnology company focused on developing vaccines for infectious diseases, has successfully completed a Series B round of financing worth US$14 million. The proceeds of the fundraise will advance the development of Sentinext’s bivalent virus-like particle (VLP) vaccine against hand, foot & mouth disease (HMFD), which will include a Phase I clinical trial commencing in 2015. In addition, the Company is advancing its VLP Polio program (in conjunction with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation) and is developing other enterovirus vaccine candidates, including EV68 which has recently been widely reported in the US.

The Picorna VLP “Plug and Prepare” platform technology developed by Sentinext permits rapid generation of VLPs for advancement of vaccine candidates against any picorna virus disease of humans and animals. The new round of financing brings together new investment from Malaysia Venture Capital Management Berhad (MAVCAP) and Agensi Inovasi Malaysia (AIM), as well as further funding from existing investors: Malaysian Life Sciences Capital Fund (MLSCF) and Malaysian Technology Development Corporation (MTDC). Messrs. Amiruddin Azahar,

representing MAVCAP, and Naser Jaffar, representing AIM, will also join the Board of Directors of Sentinext. Commenting on the fund raise, Mr. David Lawrence, Chief Executive of Sentinext, said: “This is a significant step for our company in the development of our VLP technology platform which has the potential to revolutionize vaccines for several key infectious diseases.”

“VLPs have several important advantages over traditional vaccine approaches. HFMD continues to be a significant problem in China, Japan and SE Asia. Furthermore, our work on a VLP Polio vaccine provides a potential medium to long term solution for the disease.” Read more from Asian Scientist Magazine at: http://www.asianscientist.com/2014/11/pharma/sentinext-secures-us14-million-hfmd-vaccine/

(Sentinext is an investee company of MTDC)

Sentinext Secures US$14 Million For HFMD Vaccine

Ace Market candidate expects to raise RM20mil from listing

BANGI: Bioalpha Holdings Bhd, en route to listing on the Ace Market of Bursa Malaysia early next month, is expected to raise about RM20mil in proceeds that will mainly be utilised as working capital, for the construction of a new factory, research and development as well as e-payment of borrowing.

Managing director cum chief executive officer William Hon Kok Tian is currently the single largest shareholder of the integrated health supplement company.

Other two major shareholders are Malaysia Technology Development Corp (MTDC) and Perbadanan Nasional Bhd. Both have been with the company since 2008 and 2014 respectively.

Bioalpha is principally involved in the manufacturing and sales of semi-finished and finished health supplement products as an original design manufacturer (ODM) as well as under its house brands.

The company, which is launching its prospectus today, is expected to maintain its dividend policy of 30% of its after-tax profit.

Bioalpha’s listing is expected to attract investor interest as the counter will be involved in full-value chain – from farming to retailing – of the lucrative health supplement products.

The company posted net profit of RM6.3mil on the back of RM24.5mil revenue for the year ended Sept 30, 2013.

“Our core business and strength lie on our ODM segment serving multinational clients with health products available in local pharmacies.

“We have our own farms in Desaru and Pasir Raja planted with local herbs such as roselle, kacip fatimah and misai kucing. Additionally, we have two factories in Semenyih and Bangi

and a flagship Lifesprings pharmacy in Solaris Mon’t Kiara”.

“We plan to add more outlets throughout the year and currently we are among eight anchor companies chosen by Pemandu to do clinical trials to substantiate two herb-based medicine products for diabetes and lessen menopause symptoms.

“Health supplements industry is a growing and recession-proof industry and we are targeting to serve more of the middle-income consumer market in line with the improving socio-economic demographic the country, ” he told StarBiz.

Hon pointed out that Bioalpha also managed to “clone” expensive herbs such as quadriceps through its patented fermentation process that lowered lthe cost importing of the once a year harvested plant without compromising its original health benefits.

“We also have three of our own in-house brandnames which feature an array of more than 100 products.

“Our farms also supply raw materials to other health supplement manufacturers,” he said.

Bioalpha plans new plant

PETALING JAYA: Bioalpha Holdings Bhd, an integrated health supplements company, will offer 100 million new shares at 20 sen each to raise RM20 million from its initial public offering slated for March 26.

Bioalpha will offer 100 million new shares, of which, 80 million units will be placed to selected investors. The remaining 20 million shares will be offered to the public.

A major portion of the proceeds will be used for research and development (R&D) expenditures, capital expenditures (capex), repayment of bank borrowings as well as working capital to finance its business expansion.

It will set aside RM3 million for capex to be used for the setting up of a primary processing plant with a built-up area of about 10,000 sq ft in Pasir Raja, Terengganu.

The funds earmarked for R&D will be used to upgrade their laboratory facilities as well as go towards the development of fermentation processes for four new medicinal mushroom strains.

The company is expected to have a market capitalisation of about RM92.7 million upon listing.

The Ministry of Finance Inc owns a controlling 51.4% indirect stake in Bioalpha, of which, a 22.4% portion is held via Khazanah Nasional Bhd.

Kenanga Investment Bank Bhd is acting as the company’s adviser, sponsor, underwriter and placement agent for the IPO.

Speaking at the company’s prospectus launch yesterday, its independent non-executive chairman Tan Sri Abdul Rahmat Mamat said that the health supplement industry both locally as well as internationally has immense potential for growth.

“Through the strategic expansion plans we have in place, I believe that Bioalpha will be ideally positioned to take advantage of these burgeoning market opportunities, buoyed by the equity capital we now have access to. We remain committed to ensuring our profitability,balanced with fiscally responsible growth to continue to create value for both our shareholders and stakeholders alike,” he said in a statement yesterday.

Bioalpha is an integrated herbal supplements company whose subsidiaries are principally involved in the manufacturing and sales of semi-finished and finished health supplement products as an original design manufacturer (ODM) as well as under its house brands.

Bioalpha’s health supplement products comprise processed herbs, formulated ingredients, functional foods as well as herbal and non-herbal supplements.

Their operations includes the cultivation of raw herbal materials on their herb farms and in their liquid fermentation plant, right up to the processing and packaging of the said herbs into semi-finished and finished formulations.

The company’s herb farms are currently located in Desaru, Johor and Pasir Raja, Terengganu, while their liquid fermentation facility is located in Bangi together with their headquarters.

Bioalpha currently manufactures a variety of different products under their house brands, Apotec, Nushine, Alphanex and Bexlimas well as a number of other health supplement products as an ODM.

(Bioalpha is an investee company of MTDC)

Bioalpha to raise RM20m from IPO

MTDC NEWS November 2014 - March 2015|3

THERE is much anticipation as Asean moves into 2015 with the avowed single-market and production base — and, as a consequence, full integration into the global economy.

Ideally, it should make Asean a more competitive trading partner, globally. Malaysia will assume the chair of Asean next year, and the Asean Economic Community (AEC) will be a centrepiece of much deliberation.

Based on the economic communities that have been forged globally, one can envisage the obvious challenges — wide development gaps, increased competition and inadequate infrastructure, to name a few.

Nations should, therefore, prepare for growing pains or “membership remorse” at being a part of this community. In other words, it will be a mixed blessing.

We have a situation where, within Southeast Asia, factor-driven, efficiency-driven and innovation-driven economies will compete for the Asean market. Advanced economies will be pitted against less advanced economies. So, what’s a nation to do?

These challenges, from an entrepreneurial perspective, are opportunities. They represent gaps that Malaysia can fill within Asean — from electronics, healthcare, food and agriculture, transportation and

energy, to innovative devices that reduce mosquito-borne diseases, like Aedes and malaria.

We will need to take a Kirznerian approach and introduce incremental improvements where needed in uncharted and less developed markets, while introducing game-changing Shumpetarian approaches for the more developed ones. This will require an entrepreneurial mindset and vision.

When these outcomes come to pass, the nation and its people will enjoy social inclusion, human-skill enrichment, a good quality of life and, with overall good governance and transformation, an inclusive economy.

So, why can’t existing strategies work this entrepreneurial potion? Usually, existing strategies within nations have been repeats of old approaches with new names, akin to management fads. Unfortunately, economic policy decision-making involving entrepreneurship development also succumbs to such a rehash.

They go by many names — growth corridors, innovation systems and cluster strategies — but they remain a top down industrial planning design.

The economic players are faceless. We do not know their aspirations, attitudes, actions and outcomes of their behaviour.

This is where entrepreneurship is different. We can know their aspirations, understand their attitudes and coordinate their actions. Recent studies have shown, for example, that Malaysians’ fear of failure has more than halved since 2009.

Malaysian entrepreneurs are mainly improvement-driven as opposed to necessity-driven, and less than half see entrepreneurship as a good career choice (Malaysian GEM Entrepreneurship Report 2013/2014). This information can and should guide our national entrepreneurship strategies.

For Malaysia to take advantage of the AEC, an important factor will be entrepreneurship and its development. An enlarged common market will require competitive goods and services. Our economy needs to increase its level of entrepreneurship.

We cannot easily follow or copy what other innovation-driven nations do. The Malaysian scenario has its own history, demographics, political and geographical structure, and values. Instead, we should follow how other innovation-driven nations think when designing the means of achieving their goals.

A holistic approach is called for. All the components of an e n t r e p r e n e u r i a l ecosystem must move in tandem. A piecemeal, stop-and-start intervention to grow entrepreneurship will only increase setbacks and create frustration.

The recent Universiti Tun Abdul Razak-I n t e r n a t i o n a l Development Reseach Centre Southeast Asia GEM Entrepreneurial Framework Conditions study 2013/2014 clearly shows where we stand in relation to our Asean neighbours.

For example, our internal market dynamics (changes in markets for consumer and business-to-business goods and services) score the lowest due, in no small part, to our relatively smaller population.

However, where entrepreneurial finance, physical infrastructure and research and development transfer is concerned, we are comparatively ahead of most. Taken together, the imperatives to grow our markets and opportunities for exploiting our strengths, and taking advantage of the AEC becomes all the more obvious.

The Malaysian government has an immense commitment to entrepreneurship development. We have the advantage of committed and good governance by institutions and agencies, including the National Science and Research Council, MIMOS (Malaysian Institute of Microelectronic Systems), Teraju, MTDC (Malaysia Technology Development Corporation) and SME Corporation Malaysia (Small and Medium Enterprises Corporation).

Ideally, with their resources, they should spur revolutionary approaches that are game-changing at the regional level.

They must set regional targets. Their attempts at change should have clear demarcations. They should have verifiable methods of measuring outputs that will stand up to scrutiny. In an open market scenario, window dressing will not do. Will they get it right? Most likely not. It will be a shoot-and-miss attempt. This is acceptable provided they regauge and keep shooting. Such reiteration can only lead to further improvements.

In this regard, we should not accept self-employment or business as usual as entrepreneurship. To gain a foothold, be it in branding or market share within this region, we must add value. Value addition can translate into growth and sustainability.

We need to make quality of entrepreneurs our aim rather than quantity. They will need motivation, strategic funding and expert attention to build their prototypes and test them regionally. Ours will be a market of 600 million, not 29 million.

Established and regionalised corporations can play a critical role. They can impart big-company skills for products and services. They may also become the entrepreneurs’

customers. CIMB, Petronas, Sime Darby, YTL and AirAsia are examples of such corporations. Many have started investment initiatives to promote entrepreneurship, both directly and indirectly.

It should be clear that entrepreneurship is a gain for all of society. And so, all of society has a role to play to ensure our entrepreneurial gains. The enlarged economic community of Asean will be our marketplace, and we must play to win.

The governmental initiatives are already in place. It is up to us all, as stakeholders, to avoid forced and unforced errors so that we may gain and keep our advantage.

Tapping our niche in Asean Economic Communityby DJOHAN SHAHRIN SHAH

Source : New Straits Times

Source : New Straits Times

DNA Laboratories, which does DNA testing, was set up by a researcher who wanted to see the application of some of his work

If American inventor Thomas Alva Edison’s dictum on research is “I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work”, then DNA Laboratories Sdn Bhd’s founder and chief technical officer Dr Wong Yong Wee’s elaboration on this would be: Every answer leads to another 10 questions.

The company, which provides DNA-based screening and diagnostic services, particularly for obstetrics and gynaecology (OB/GYN), was established in 2007 and currently has it headquarters in the UKM-MTDC Technology Centre, Bangi, Selangor.

Some of the tests they do include prenatal tests during pregnancy to screen for specific inherited disorders in unborn babies.There are many different types of prenatal

tests available. These range from non-invasive ultrasounds and blood tests called “screening tests”, to more invasive procedures called “diagnostic tests” that obtain cells from inside a woman’s uterus for an examination of the baby’s chromosomes.

The company is the Star Business Awards 2014 Silver award winner for the Best in Marketing category.

“In this line, understanding the principles (behind something) is vital, not just applying the protocols,” Wong tells Metrobiz.

Wong’s view on research led to him thinking that there could be no end to scientific inquiry, and that one could spend one’s whole life in the labs without ever seeing one’s findings being applied in society.

This thought eventually made Wong take the leap of faith into entrepreneurship. He managed to get three investors’ backing and then began looking for business models that could utilise science to serve society.

Some wild ideas, including building new medical devices, came to mind. But knowing that this would be capital intensive and that it would take a long time to recoup the investments,

Wong and his partners decided that setting up shop as a laboratory service provider was the more feasible route to take.

“While doing post-doctoral research at a molecular neurobiology centre in Germany, we came across more accurate ways to look for diseases using DNA testing,” Wong says.

This procedure would naturally cost more than the usual blood sample test, but Wong says a DNA test is definitely more sensitive and specific.

Illustrating this point with the example of checking whether a virus was present in a blood sample, he says lab technicians would look for antibodies and antigen which might exist, meaning that the antibody ‘marked’ the existence of the virus.

“But a virus may take time to replicate or the antibody may need time to develop, hence if one were to simply draw from a blood sample, the virus may not have multiplied enough to appear in a blood test,” he says.

Simply put, as astronomer Carl Sagan had it: “Absence of evidence is not evidence of absence.” Wong elaborates that if testing were to be done via nuclei acid testing, it would have

a higher chance of detecting the virus using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) equipment which is able to amplify and detect the targeted DNA from the sample tested.

PCR is a technology in molecular biology used to amplify a single copy or a few copies of a piece of DNA to generate thousands to millions of copies.

“We can then detect the DNA that is specific to the virus,” he says.

To date, the company has invested over RM3.5mil in acquiring new technologies and expanding its staff to 45, including marketing personnel and laboratory executives with background in life sciences.

Wong says there is potential here in Malaysia for such tests as local healthcare companies usually send their specimens overseas for molecular diagnostic testing.

“The tests (then) become costly, and the test results take a longer time to come back. We can do the same molecular testing and keep it affordable for all Malaysians,” he concludes.

Forward leapoleh LIM WING HOOI

Entrepreneurship results in positive

spillovers, like wealth and job creation. This

leads to taxes for governments and

appeases digital-age youths, who expect

jobs.

(DNA Laboratories is CRDF recipient company of MTDC)


Sumber : Harian Metro

Sumber : Berita Harian

PROGRAM RANGKAIAN PENYELIDIKAN AWAM-SWASTA

Jalin inovasi pihakakademik, industri

Melalui platform ini,

peserta daripadaindustri akan membentangkanpermasalahanberkaitan teknologi yang dihadapiDr Zaini Ujang

oleh BERNAMA


Tidak semua hasil R&D boleh dikomersialkan

Sumber : Utusan Malaysia Sumber : Harian Metro

Sumber : The Malaysian Times

by DJOHAN SHAHRIN SHAH

KUALA LUMPUR 11 Nov. – Tidak semua hasil penyelidikan dan pembangunan (R&D) boleh dikomersialkan kerana ada juga yang dijalankan untuk memenuhi keperluan bidang ilmiah tertentu.

Menteri Pendidikan II, Datuk Seri Idris Jusoh berkata, R&D merupakan nadi utama institusi pengajian tinggi (IPT) dalam meneroka ilmu pengetahuan baharu manakala pengkomersialan produk daripada penyelidikan tersebut hanya sebahagian daripada peratusan keperluan ijazah.

Katanya, beliau tidak bersetuju dengan laporan sebuah akhbar tempatan baru-baru ini yang mendakwa kurang dua peratus daripada 27,449 hasil R&D di

15 IPT awam berjaya dikomersialkan dalam tempoh lima hingga 10 tahun lalu.

“Ke r aj a an t i d a k p e r n a h melihat R&D yang tidak dikomersialkan itu sebagai satu pembaziran dan bersifat syok sendiri kerana R&D di negara ini berada pada kedudukan yang memuaskan jika diban dingkan dengan yang berjaya dipatenkan di Amerika Syarikat iaitu kira-kira empat hingga lima peratus.

“ D i b a w a h P e l a n Pembangunan Pendidikan Malaysia 2013-2025, kerajaan sedang berusaha untuk menguatkuasakan peranan universiti tempatan supaya seiring dengan perubahan industri selain melahirkan siswazah berminda

keusahawanan,” katanya.

Beliau berkata demikian dalam sidang akhbar selepas menyempurnakan Persidangan Komersial Teknologi 2014 bertemakan ‘Kerjasama Strategik: Masa Untuk Berfikir Semula’ anjuran Perbadanan Pembangunan Teknologi Malaysia (MTDC), di sini hari ini.

Yang turut hadir, Pengerusi MTDC, Datuk Siti Hadzar Mohd. Ismail dan Ketua Pegawai Eksekutif MTDC, Datuk Norhalim Yunus dan Naib Canselor UiTM, Datuk Prof. Dr. Sahul Hamid Abu Bakar.

Dalam majlis tersebut, Idris turut menyampaikan cek Anugerah Buku Inovasi kepada empat institusi pengajian tinggi awam (IPTA) yang bekerjasama dengan MTDC dalam melaksanakan R&D dalam bidang inovasi.

IPTA tersebut yang setiap satunya menerima RM51,500 adalah Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM), Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM), Universiti Kebangsaan M a l a y s i a ( U K M ) d a n Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM).

KUALA LUMPUR 11 Nov: Penyelidikan universiti tempatan yang tidak dikomersialkan bukan merupakan satu pembaziran, kata Menteri Pendidikan Kedua Datuk Seri Idris Jusoh.

Malah, beliau berkata penyelidikan yang tidak dikomersialkan itu dianggap sebagai peningkatan ilmu secara lebih mendalam mengenai bidang-bidang kajian yang dilaksanakan sesebuah universiti.

“Baru-baru ini ada surat khabar mengatakan bahawa penyelidikan tak guna. Itu satu kenyataan yang tak berapa kena, kerana ada juga penyelidikan untuk meningkatkan ilmu universiti…pengetahuan meningkatkan taraf pengetahuan universiti.

“Ini kerana penyelidikan di universiti ini bukan ke arah pengkomersialan semata-mata, kerana peningkatan ilmu itu mustahak dan pada masa yang sama bukannya semua kajian boleh dikomersialkan,” katanya kepada pemberita selepas merasmikan Persidangan Pengkomersialan Teknologi MTDC (Perbadanan Pembangunan Teknologi Malaysia) di sini, hari ini.

Beliau berkata, sebagai langkah peneraju, kerajaan dalam pembentangan Bajet 2015 baru-baru ini, telah memperuntukkan RM50 juta untuk usaha penyelidikan di universiti melalui rangkaian penyelidikan swasta-awam.

“Melalui inisiatif ini, syarikat-syarikat berpeluang berkongsi cabaran dan masalah teknikal mereka dengan penyelidik universiti dan institut penyelidikan. Para penyelidik pula akan menilai masalah dan mendapatkan penyelesaian kepada syarikat.

“Program ini merupakan contoh cemerlang mengenai perkongsian strategik dan inovatif yang akan menggalakkan kerjasama di kalangan ahli akademik, industri dan kerajaan dengan memanfaatkan potensi dan kekuatan masing-masing,” katanya.

Sebanyak 500 orang, terdiri daripada ahli-ahli akademik, penyelidik, usahawan, penggubal dasar, pakar dalam bidang teknologi dan pengurus dana menghadiri persidangan dua hari anjuran MTDC.

Selain itu, Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM), Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) dan Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) hadiah buku inovasi MTDC bernilai RM51,500 bagi setiap universiti.

Penyelidikan di universiti tempatan bukan pembaziran – Idris Jusoh

Bangi: Bioalpha Holdings Berhad (Bioalpha) syarikat bioteknologi berstatus BioNexus menjangkakan untuk disenaraikan di Bursa Malaysia menjelang suku kedua tahun ini.

Pengarah Urusannya, William Hon berkata, pihaknya berasakan sudah tiba masa untuk menyertai pasaran saham tempatan dalam usaha meningkatkan keupayaan syarikat untuk terus berkembang ke pasaran lebih besar.

“Kami perlu akses kepada ekuiti untuk memastikan kerja penyelidikan dan pembangunan (R&D) dapat diteruskan selain mengembangkan operasi dalam bahagian peruncitan,” katanya selepas lawatan media ke kilang Bioalpha, baru-baru ini.

Dengan penyenaraian berkenaan, secara tidak langsung dapat memberi kredit kepada reputasi syarikat memandangkan syarikat perlu mengamalkan amalan korporat yang telus.

“Melalui imej dan reputasi yang lebih baik, ia akan memberi kelebihan kepada kami terutama dalam menjalin kerjasama dengan syarikat multinasional lain,” katanya.

Pemegang saham utama dalam syarikat berkenaan adalah Perbadanan Nasional Berhad (PNS) dan Malaysia Technology Development Corporation (MTDC) dengan pegangan terkumpul sebanyak 51 peratus.

Bioalpha disenarai Bursa Malaysia


Sumber: Utusan Malaysia


Bisnes sumber rezekiS

IAPA sangka minat untuk menceburi bidang perniagaan yang tiba - tiba terbit pada tahun akhir pengajiannya di Universiti

Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) dalam bidang teknologi kimia membuka lembaran baharu dalam hiduo Penolong Pengurus Nourish Care, Yun Irma Faizul Effendi Yunal untuk menceburi bidang perniagaan.

Tidak pernah terlintas dalam kamus hidupnya untuk menjadi seorang usahawan apatah lagi memberi sepenuh perhatiannya kepada bidang yang kini menjadi pilihan untuk menyara hidup.

Mengakui peritnya untuk membangunkan sebuah perniagaan, Yun Irma Faizul Effendi tidak akan pernah berasa selesa dengan kejayaan yang dikecapinya hari ini walaupun produk syarikatnya yang menghasilkan makanan kesihatan, Le’Natura mula diterima masyarakat dan dikenali ramai.

Produk biskut serat yang menggunakan buah mengkudu dan stevia yang dikatakan baik dan berguna untuk membantu pesakit diabetes, kanser, masalah hati, tekanan darah tinggi dan buah pinggang.

Produk tersebut berjaya memasuki pasaran tempatan termasuk di pasar raya utama menjadikan mereka lebih bersemangat meneruskan bisnes tersebut.

Malah pada satu peringkat, Yun Irma Fazil Effendi dan rakan kongsi yang juga isterinya, Aisyah Jacklin Likan Bernabas Baie sentiasa ligat berfikir mencari kaedah yang terbaik untuk terus mempromosi dan menjual produk kesihatan keluaran syarikat mereka.

Antara cabaran yang perlu dihadapi termasuk menukar persepsi orang ramai mengenai diabetes dan terlalu bergantung kepada ubat-ubatan untuk merawat penyakit tersebut.“Mengubah persepsi itu yang menjadi cabaran kerana mahu melihat pesakit diabetes atau mereka yang mengutamakan soal kesihatan menikmati rawatan atau cara hidup sihat secara lebih santai tanpa perlu menelan pil ubat-ubatan.

“Kita mahu orang ramai mengetahui walaupunpun biskut kesihatan syarikatnya tidak boleh mengubati penyakit tersebut secara keseluruhan, namun boleh mencegah penyakit penyakit diabetes dengan menjadikannya suplimen,” katanya ketika ditemui baru-baru ini.

Pun begitu, beliau mengakui minatnya dalam bidang perniagaan mustahil dipupuk sekiranya tidak diterima menyertai program FMBioSis pada 2008.

Menerusi program tersebut, beliau mempelajari selok-belok pernigaan menerusi bantuan teknologi yang disediakan oleh FRIM serta dana daripada MTDC.

Bantuan tersebut membolehkan beliau memanfaatkan peluang mengasah bakat berkomunikasi dengan orang ramai atau pelabur bagi memperkenalkab produk keluaran syarikatnya.

Sebagai salah seorang perintis dalam program pertam FMBioSis, Yun Irma Faizul Effendi mengakui beliau pada mulanya berdepan masalah untuk memulakan perniagaan, apatah lagi hanya berlatar belakangkan pendidikan sains.

Namun, tiada istilah berputus asa sebaliknya usaha dan semangat kental sentiasa menjadi azimat dalam sanubarinya agar terus berjuang membangunkan perniagaan yang mula disukai itu.

Ini penting bagi memastikan pengguna mengetahui kebaikan produk biskutnya itu.

Dalam pada itu, beliau amat bersyukur terpilih sebagai antara peserta program FMBioSis kerana pengalaman yang diterimanya amat bernilai dan sukar diperoleh.

Menurutnya, program tersebut perlu terus dijalankan bagi memberi peluang kepada golongan siswazah menceburikan diri dalam perniagaan .

Beliau percaya, inilah peluang bagi siswazah untuk mempelajari mengenai bidang keusahawanan secara keseluruhan dan hanya boleh diterima melalui FMBioSIs.

Berbekalkan kepercayaan, usaha serta dibantu oleh teknologi bermutu tinggi dari FRIM, Impian untuk bergelar usahawan berada dalam genggaman dan tidak musthail negara ini pada satu hari nanti dikenali sebagai pengeluar produk berasaskan mesra alam yang utama.

Mereka yang ingin mendapatkan maklumat lanjut boleh menghubungi Yun Irma Effendi di talian 03-62610753 atau emel [email protected].

YUN IRMAFAIZUL EFFENDImenunjukkan produk biskut kesihatan keluaransyarikatnya.

MVETech is a BSF recipient company of MTDC)


Raja papan buluh

Detik peralihannya untuk bergelar usahawan bermula selepas beliau menamatkan perkhidmatannya sebagai pegawai tentera pada tahun 1995.

Mulanya, Kapten (B) Kamarunsaman Awang berkhidmat sebagai Ketua Pegawai Eksekutif Gerik Timber Industries Sdn Bhd (GETI), anak syarikat KUB Malaysia Bhd (KUB) yang terbabit dalam industri kilang papan.

Berikutan bekalan kayu balak yang semakin berkurangan dan sukar diperoleh, GETI yang 60 peratus kepentingannya dimiliki oleh KUB dan bakinya oleh Maju Kastera Sdn Bhd (MKSB), kemudian beralih arah dengan meneroka industri hiliran buluh.

Syarikat itu menjalin kerjasama dengan Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) dan Institut Penyelidikan Perhutanan Malaysia (FRIM) untuk membangunkan projek hiliran industri buluh.

Selepas beberapa tahun, KUB menarik diri daripada projek berkenaan dan MKSB meneruskan usaha itu hingga membawa kepada penubuhan anak syarikatnya, Bamboo Bio Composites Sdn Bhd (BBCSB) pada 29 Oktober 2004, yang diasaskan oleh Kamarunsaman.

Ia memfokus kepada penyelidikan dan pembangunan (R&D), pengeluaran, pemasaran dan pengedaran produk pepapan buluh.

Kamarunsaman berkata, pihaknya mengambil masa kira-kira tujuh tahun melakukan R&D bersama dengan UPM dan FRIM untuk mewujudkan kepelbagaian penggunaan buluh.

Katanya, buluh terutama digunakan dalam menghasilkan pepapan buluh untuk kegunaan sebagai bahan asas pengeluaran komponen perabot dan bahan binaan yang mempunyai nilai tambah tinggi serta untuk produk lain.

“Projek buluh bersepadu digalakkan oleh kerajaan Malaysia dan secara proaktif bermula pada tahun 1996, yang mana kerajaan menekankan keperluan untuk membangunkan secara menyeluruh, terutama dalam pengeluaran produk yang mempunyai nilai tambah tinggi seperti pepapan buluh.

“Industri hiliran buluh amat berpotensi dimajukan, yang mana pasaran global kini dianggarkan bernilai kira-kira AS$7 bilion (RM25 bilion) setahun.

“Menerusi industri ini, kami juga berharap dapat mewujudkan kesan positif terhadap pembangunan sosioekonomi penduduk luar bandar yang mana ia akan membangunkan pusat pemprosesan bersepadu,” kata Ketua Pegawai Eksekutif BBCSB itu dalam temubual di Kuala Lumpur, baru-baru ini.

Demi merealisasikan matlamatnya untuk membangunkan industri hiliran buluh dan membantu meningkatkan sosioekonomi

penduduk luar bandar, BBCSB berusaha mendapatkan pembiayaan untuk membina kilang dan membuka ladang buluh secara pajakan dan kontrak perladangan yang diusahakan masyarakat luar bandar.

Ia akhirnya berjaya mendapatkan pembiayaan untuk membina kilang bernilai RM30 juta di Grik, Perak daripada Kementerian Kewangan dan geran daripada Kementerian Sains, Teknologi dan Inovasi (MOSTI) bagi mengeluarkan produk pepapan buluh untuk kegunaan lantai buluh dan perabot.

Kilang yang siap dibina pada 2011 itu ketika ini berkeupayaan mengeluarkan 18,000 meter persegi lantai buluh sebulan dan

produk berkenaan dipasarkan dalam kalangan syarikat pembinaan dan pemaju hartanah, sambil giat berusaha untuk mengembangkan pasaran di dalam dan luar negara.

BBCSB juga menandatangani perjanjian tertutup (NDA) dengan syarikat perabot serta perkakasan rumah antarabangsa, IKEA bagi memasarkan produknya di semua rangkaian pasar raya berkenaan di seluruh dunia, selain menyasarkan syarikat berkaitan kerajaan (GLC) sebagai pelanggan utama.

Ia turut menjalin hubungan erat dengan Jabatan Perdana Menteri (JPM) dan Lembaga Perindustrian Kayu Malaysia (MTIB) untuk mewujudkan Koperasi Ladang Buluh dan Pusat Pemprosesan di beberapa lokasi di Malaysia bagi membangunkan sosioekonomi penduduk tempatan dan

menjadikan mereka sebahagian daripada keluarga syarikat berkenaan.

Kamarunsaman berkata, pada masa ini BBCSB boleh berbangga kerana kawasan konsesi buluh seluas 1,900 hektar di Gerik, Perak, mengeluarkan buluh tempatan yang dijadikan bekalan untuk produk nilai tambah yang dihasilkan di kilangnya termasuk juga dari Sik, Kedah dan Jeli, Kelantan.

Sebagai persediaan untuk memastikan bekalan buluh yang mencukupi pada masa hadapan, katanya, syarikat juga membuka ladang buluh seluas 402 hektar di Kelantan yang diusahakan oleh penduduk kampung untuk

membantu meningkatkan sumber pendapatan mereka.

“Kami juga sedang menjalin usaha sama dengan Koperasi Pembangunan Negeri Kedah (KPNK) dan kerajaan Kedah untuk memajak tanah dan diusahakan sebagai ladang buluh,” kata anak bongsu daripada lima beradik itu.

BBCSB menyasarkan jualan sebanyak RM266 juta dalam tempoh lima tahun akan datang dan meningkat kepada RM585 juta apabila ladang buluhnya matang serta mengeluarkan hasil.

(Bamboo Bio Composites Sdn. Bhd. adalah pemerima dana CRDF di bawah Rancangan Malaysia ke-9)

oleh AHMAD FIESAL OTHMAN

KAPTEN (B) Kamarunsaman Awang bersama kakitangan syarikatnya. - Foto Salhani Ibrahim

PRODUK papan buluh keluaran BBCSB.



Sumber :The Malay Mail

Sumber :The Star

(From left) Ibrahim, deputy group MD RHB Banking GroupDatuk Khairulssaleh Ramli, Norhalim director of advisory &value MTDC Mohammad Farish Nizar Othman signing thecollaboration agreement - Picture by Fikry Yusof

SME and commerce to benefit from RHB expansion


is known to mature fast and also, if there are defects in the final product, we can recycle it and re-manufacture the product,” he said.

As a polymer, the material allows for custom shapes and sizes to be produced and fitted in curvy areas in houses and buildings.

To ensure its reliability and safety, he said their products are certified by Sirim and also sent for Restriction of Hazardous Substances Directive (RoHS) and formaldehyde testing by TÜV Rheinland in Malaysia, a product-testing company that does work on behalf of the European Union and other localities. Source : The Star Online

1 Fast-forward with fibreWhen the Asean Free Trade Area (AFTA) took effect in 2010, domestic tobacco growers, particularly in major growing areas in Kelantan, Terengganu, Kedah and Perlis were affected when the Government decided to terminate subsidies on tobacco farming to comply with AFTA and the World Health Organisation regulations.

Additionally, they were less competitive compared with their lower-cost peers in Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam and the Philippines.

The government, recognising this, dissolved the Malaysia Tobacco Board and replaced it with Malaysia Kenaf and Tobacco Board or Lembaga Kenaf dan Tembakau Negara (LKTN) with a focus on kenaf becoming an alternative cash crop for tobacco growers.

The fast-growing kenaf (it matures in 100 to 200 days) is a fibrous plant with the scientific name hibiscus cannabinus. It has the potential to be used as construction material and to be turned automotive components where weight and environmental concerns are an issue.

KPC Manufacturing Sdn Bhd used kenaf to manufacture ceiling and wall panelling.

KPC Manufacturing’s co-founder and managing director Zulfairis Zulkifli said he was looking for opportunities in the green industry when he thought of exploring the possibilities with Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute (Mardi).

“We wanted different products, going beyond solar panels and biofuel and found our niche in green construction material,” he said.

In 2010, after speaking with the Mardi researchers, he decided to set up a company to specialise in manufacturing ceiling and panelling products from kenaf with five partners.

Kenaf polymer composite or KPC is a combination of kenaf fibre with other materials to create a polymer composite, as opposed to wood-based polymer composite (WPC) which consist of saw dusk from sawmills or sometimes rice husk.

Both can be turned into boards and panels for construction and industrial use.

Zulfairis said the kenaf was sourced from LKTN and the final product is stronger, more reliable and environmental friendly.“It is environmental friendly because it is from sustainable material. Kenaf

Such collaboration between Mardi and him had brought out the best of Malaysian researchers and entrepreneurs. Mardi retains the intellectual property rights while the company is able to manufacture the products and market them with the brand name ‘dayham panels’.

“We are the licensed technology partner where we pay an upfront fee and an annual 3% royalty based on our annual revenue,” he said.

Starting with RM2mil capital and subsequently a soft loan of RM3mil from Malaysian Technology Development Corp (MTDC), the manufacturing engineering graduate said the initial capital was spent mostly on procuring the manufacturing machines from overseas.

A lot was spent on promoting the brand, especially via overseas exhibitions, where the company had participated over 20 exhibitions, both local and foreign.

Operating with 12 staff in a rented 18,000 sq ft manufacturing plant in Semenyih, the company focused on producing ceiling and wall panel for the first three years before diversifying to outdoor decking and flooring products early this year, with a total of four product lines and four colour choices.

Although a polymer, it comes in a wood-based colour that gives it a wood-like appearance with no additional repainting needed.

Manufacturing the product is one phase of the business, and as the saying goes what you make you must sell. To address that aspect of the business, Zulfairis incorporated another company, DS Decor Sdn Bhd, to deal directly with retail clients.

DS Decor does design, supply, and installation of the product. Zulfairis says clients these days like to see the finished product installed in their dream home before deciding on what to purchase.

“We have 3D designs which we are able to show our clients to help them make an informed decision,” he said.

They also supply directly to architecture firms and contractors. He said these transactions occur often at the early stage where they play a major role in educating the public about the potential of using KPC over wood.

“We would then guide them on how they could install the products in their clients’ home,” he said.

To date, the products had been used in over 500 individual houses and including government buildings such as the National Museum to resorts, with each contract value from RM2,000 for retail customers to over RM700,000 for developer-based projects.

by LIM WING HOOI

Zulfairis showing the flexible kenaf polymer composite (KPC) final product

The fast-growing kenaf (it matures in 100 to 200

days) is a fibrous plant with the scientific name hibiscus cannabinus. It has the potential to be

used as construction material and to be turned automotive components

where weight and environmental concerns

are an issue.

Kenaf polymer composite or KPC is a combination of kenaf fibre with other

materials to create a polymer composite.

(KPC Manufacturing is a BSF recipient company of MTDC)


by AZMI JAMIL

MVE Technologies Sdn Bhd plans to grow under Petroliam Nasional Bhd (Petronas) Vendor Development Programme (VDP) so it will be able to compete with its peers within four years.

The choke and control valves supplier joined the VDP on December 2, 2014 after a six to seven months of stringent audit process to qualify for exclusive contracts for appointed scopes within the stipulated time period, in this case three years.

So, far the company has received orders for the supply of choke valves from Petronas Carigali Sdn Bhd and its project in Turkmenistan.

“Last year our revenue was about RM40 million. It has fallen by about 30% this year due to fewer projects but we are confident we would get more revenue next year than our revenue this year,” CEO Zullkarnain Jamri told media in Kuala Lumpur yesterday.

Petronas has announced up to 20% capital expenditure (capex) cut next year but Zullkarnain does not expect MVE which is involved in both upstream and downstream sector of the oil & gas (O&G) industry to be impacted by the capex cut.“Our business strategy is not just capturing new projects, but on the replacement of existing units of choke valves and control valves.

So, we don’t see any impact to revenue growth with the capex cut,” he said adding that the replacement of choke valves cannot be deferred.

Zullkarnain owns 60% of the 100% Bumiputera company said that the choke valves are critical to reduce pressure and ensure that oil production are not disrupted.

“The price is dependent on the complexity of the design but ranges from RM25,000 to RM1.5 million each,” he said.

According to Zullkarnain, MVE’s competition in Malaysia are from three other companies, from the USA, Canada and Netherlands.

But, the three year exclusive contracts with Petronas ensures that only valves from MVE will be used in Production Sharing Contract (PSC) in Malaysia where Petronas is the operator.

In the fourth year MVE would have built up its reputation considerably enough to work with other PSCs operators such ExxonMobil, Talisman and Shell.

MVE’s VDP is for choke and control valves but Zullkarnain said the company has also two other patented products it will launch in February 2015.

“The products are non rubbing ball valve and lift plug valve and customer could save up to 40% with the ball valve,” said Zullkarnain.

Petronas implemented its VDP in 1993 and appointed its first vendor in April 1994.

The objective of VDP is to assist in the development and monitoring of Bumiputera vendors for manufacturing products and providing services to the O&G industry.

Currently there are close to 90 companies under VDP including a subsidiary of a public listed company.

According to Petronas, most of its VDP vendors have successfully grown their business and moved on to become independent and able to compete with their peers in bidding for jobs or contracts in the industry

(MVE Technologies Sdn. Bhd. is a BSF recipient)

MVE Technologies banking on Petronas’s VDP for future growth

Source : The Malaysian Reserve

PPRN to optimise innovation, maximise productivityKUALA LUMPUR - The Public-Private Research Network (PPRN) will be a catalyst for innovation, knowledge-sharing and technological advancement for local companies once it goes into full gear next year.

The PPRN first announced by Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Najib Razak when he tabled the 2015 Budget, is currently in its second pilot test.

The initiative is a collaboration between the Ministry of Education (MOE), the Malaysian Technology Development Corporation (MTDC), SME Corp and private industries.

Speaking at a press conference on the project, Education Ministry Secretary General II, Datuk Seri Zaini Ujang said that the PPRN will bridge the gap between the needs of the industries and the knowledge of academics.

Zaini said that there were over 40,000 lecturers and researchers in the country but a lot of research related to technology and industries were supply driven.

“We want to shift to more demand driven research and the PPRN will do just that.”He explained that the PPRN will seek to solve specific issues faced by companies in relation to the application of technology.

“As an example, a company may be producing a single item at rate of one per minute, and would like to improve this by six fold.”

“They could then seek our help and we will match them with the right academician to help them achieve this.”

Zaini said that this was necessary as industries may not know where to look for the right researcher to solve their problems or researchers may not know the specific problems faced by industries, hence the gap.

He added that aside from the matching role it played, the PPRN will also create an ecosystem of knowledge in the country at a cost advantage to local companies.

by DJOHAN SHAHRIN SHAH

Source : New Straits Times Source : Bernama

KUALA LUMPUR, March 26 (Bernama) -- Bioalpha Holdings Bhd, an integrated health supplements company principally involved in manufacture and sales of semi-finished and finished health supplement products, has launched its prospectus in conjunction with the company’s listing on the ACE Market of Bursa Malaysia Securities Bhd.

Bioalpha’s initial public offering (IPO) involves an offering of 100 million new ordinary shares of RM0.05 each, at an issue price of RM0.20 per share payable in full upon application, comprising 20 million shares available for application by the public and 80 million shares by way of placement to selected investors, it said in statement here Thursday.

Bioalpha Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer William Hon said: “It is a testament to the efforts of the team at Bioalpha, as well as our business partners, IPO advisers and the regulatory authorities that we have reached this point in our IPO for which I am truly thankful.”

Bioalpha aims to raise proceeds of RM20 million from the IPO, a major portion of which will be used for research and development (R&D) expenditures, capital expenditures, repayment of bank borrowings as well as working capital to finance business expansion and enhance growth strategies.

The earmarked capital expenditure of RM3 million is planned to be used for the setting up of a herb processing plant in Pasir Raja, Terengganu.

The funds earmarked for R&D on the other hand will be used to upgrade laboratory facilities as well as go towards the development of fermentation processes for four new medicinal mushroom strains.

Bioalpha is expected to have a market capitalisation of about RM92.7 million upon listing.

(Bioalpha is an investee company of MTDC)

Bioalpha Marks Opening Of IPO With Prospectus Launch


GREEN RIDERS

Eclimo Sdn Bhd has come up with the country’s first electric motorcycle, which can travel up to 100kmon a full charge

minus the noise and pollution. It already ranks KFC Malaysia and the Royal Malaysia

Police among its customers, and has attracted the attention of the United

Nations and the Iranian goverment. What makes this company so special? Turn to

Page 8 to find out.


RIDING DOWN THEGREEN HIGHWAY

Eclimo Sdn Bhd, the producer of Malaysia’s first electric motorcycle, is looking to introduce its environmentally friendly products all over the world


(Eclimo Sdn. Bhd. is a CRDF recipient under the10th Malaysia Plan)

We cannot put a

hefty price tag on

our motorbikes

just because it is

‘green’. Green may

be an advantage,

but a client also

has to consider

the financial

implication.

- Chuah

Source : The Edge


Malaysia goes down the electric path for a smaller carbon footprint.

IMAGINE driving a car without needing to pump petrol or diesel, or having your engine oil changed at the workshop. The advent of electric vehicles has made this possible, and is redefining the face of conventional transportation.

Electric vehicles are taking overseas markets by storm as more users embrace the eco-friendly path advocated through the design of these cars – no tailpipe emissions means no pollution and no carbon releases. This green mobility, however, is still very much in its infancy in Malaysia.

The database of the Road Transport Department shows only 1,024 electric cars and motorcycles were sold from 2011 until September 2014. To turn things around, the Malaysian Green Technology Corp (GreenTech Malaysia), a government agency under the purview of the Energy, Green Technology and Water Ministry, is pushing for electric-powered mobility this year.

Its chief executive officer Ahmad Hadri Haris says the corporation has secured a RM3mil funding from the Malaysian Electricity Supply Industry Trust Account, a division under the ministry, for building 300 charging stations nationwide by 2016.

“We have about 40 (charging stations) currently in the Klang Valley, Malacca, Pahang, Penang and Sarawak. These were built by our partner First Energy Networks (the provider of charging systems for electric vehicles in Malaysia),” he says.

“ The charging stations can be installed in your home. It ’s liberating, as your car can be left to charge overnight while you are asleep. This saves time from having to go to petrol stations.”

He admits however, that the main challenge to purchasing electric vehicles is the cost. An electric vehicle without tax costs about RM130,000 but with tax, the price exceeds RM180,000.

Ahmad Hadri hopes the government will review the import tax and excise duty for such vehicles as the high charges have deterred more people from owning them.

“ The electric vehicle market in Malaysia took off just last year though historically, it had started in 1998 when then Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad initiated a venture between Proton and Tenaga Nasional. However, the initiative didn’t take off as we were ahead of our time in usage of electric vehicles.”

Under the agency’s Electric Mobility Flagship programme, the goal is to have 2,000 electric buses, 100,000 electric cars, and 100,000 electric scooters and motorcycles on the road by 2020. In addition, some 125,000 public charging stations are to be installed.

Ahmad Hadri says the intangible benefits are evident in the long run. “This migration (to electric mobility) will potentially help reduce Malaysia’s carbon contribution from the transportation sector by 1.7 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent, based on our analysis. Cities and densely-populated areas already suffer from high levels of air and noise pollution contributed by vehicles running on internal combustion engines.”

But there is also the argument that electric cars might not necessarily be greener as the electricity could have come from coal-fired power plants, which produce carbon emissions. In response, Ahmad Hadri says the energy burnt at power plants (to generate electricity) is more efficient than energy burnt by internal combustion engines.

According to the Energy Commission, gas and coal are the most-used fuels for power generation, at 49.4% and 42.6% respectively, followed by hydroelectric at 4.8% and oil/distillate at 2.5%.

Therefore, coal is poised to remain as the main fuel for power generation in light of an additional 5,000 megawatts of coal-fired capacity that will be commissioned from 2015 to 2019.

“ To really walk the sustainable path, electric vehicle users could opt to install solar panels at home to draw on that power for charging an electric vehicle. At our office, we power up our electric cars via solar energy.”

GreenTech vice-president (built environment) Mohamed Azrin Mohamed Ali says there are various types of charging station available –

Electric vehicles are the face of future mobilityby LIM CHIN YING

each designed for different locations such as the home, office buildings, malls and public spots.

Car dealers will offer the option of installing a charging station at home to purchasers of electric vehicles.

The agency is also collaborating with Amdac (producer and supplier of tailor-made vehicles) while BYD (an automobile manufacturer from China) to deploy 55 electric buses in the Klang Valley and Malacca, as well as with Eclimo to introduce more electric scooters in the country.

Currently, KFC and Pizza Hut are using 150 electric scooters in their delivery fleets while the police’s Armanita Patrol Unit have 33.

(Eclimo Sdn. Bhd. is a CRDF recipient under 10th Malaysia Plan.)

An electric vehicle charging station that the public can use for free is located at the Petaling Jaya City Council headquarters. (Filepic)

Cleaner drive: Ahmad Hadri — in a Renault Twizy — says the government’s Electric Mobility Flagship programme aims to have 100,000 electric cars on the road by 2020. Photo: GreenTech Malaysia

Source : THE STAR

During the Melaka Go to Green campaign, an electric bus was used as a sightseeing bus in Malacca. (Filepic)


Source : Borneo Post

Source : Malay Mail

KUCHING: Malaysian Technology Development Corporation Sdn Bhd (MTDC), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Khazanah Nasional Bhd and an agency under the Ministry of Science Technology and Innovation (MOSTI) foresees opportunities to provide funding for Sarawakian technology-based companies in particular those which are involved in downstream businesses.

MTDC chief executive officer (CEO) Datuk Norhalim Yunus believes that downstream businesses in the state

have huge potential to grow as industry players move up the value chain of their respective industries to further enhance their operations.

“There is a lot of potential in downstream businesses. The most obvious one for instance in the palm oil industry will be (the supply of ) fertiliser.

“As companies need to grow and innovate to move up the value chain of the industry, they may require more funds for expansion.

“Besides, with their businesses growing, it will also value add to the economic growth of Sarawak,” he told The Borneo Post during an interview yesterday.

He cited one of the companies which MTDC funded is Malaysian Phosphate Additives Sdn Bhd (MPA) who is currently building one of the biggest phosphate projects in Samalaju.

MTDC provides various types of funds to local companies which are promoting the adoption of technologies through commercialisation of local research and development or acquisition of foreign technologies.

Norhalim said among the funds offered include the Commercialisation of Research and Development Fund (CRDF), Technology Acquisition Fund (TAF), Business Startup Fund (BSF) Business Growth Fund (BGF) and Bumiputera Expansion Fund (BEF) to assist companies and entrepreneurs at different level of business undertaking.

On another note, he revealed that the technologies which the companies use can be from their own researches, outsourced from the research departments from public universities as well as private universities in Sarawak.

MTDC sees opportunity to provide funding for Sarawakian tech firms

He said with the increasing number of institutions of higher learning in the state, there is more opportunities to work with the researchers here and market their technologies to local businesses.

Thus, he encouraged local companies especially technology entrepreneurs in the state that is seeking capital to take up commercialisation of indigenous technology and innovation for the mass-market roll out to leverage on the facilities provided by MTDC.

Besides, he said MTDC is also looking at exploring the possibility to collaborate with certain state government agencies to organise discussion and dialogues with businesses as well as technology entrepreneurs on ways to assist them.

In the meantime, MTDC organised a half-day roadshow at a hotel here yesterday with the aim to create more awareness among the business community here to enable them to get more information about the assistance and facilities provided by MTDC.

It was attended by researchers, entrepreneurs, members of business chambers and business associations as well as state government officials in charge of entrepreneur development.

by ADRIAN LIM

by BERNAMA

KUALA LUMPUR, March 6 — Integrated venture capital solutions provider Malaysia Technology Development Corporation Sdn Bhd (MTDC) has signed a collaboration agreement with RHB Islamic Bank to provide financing for Bumiputera technology-based small and medium enterprises (SMEs) under the Bumiputera Expansion Fund Scheme.

RHB Islamic is the Islamic banking arm of RHB Banking Group.

MTDC chief executive officer Datuk Norhalim Yunus said under the agreement, RHB Islamic would be the custodian of a RM150 million

fund entrusted by the government via Unit Peneraju Agenda Bumiputera (Teraju) and placed in the RHB Islamic’s commodity Murabahah deposit-i account.

He said the fund is expected to raise funds of at least RM300 million for eligible Bumiputera companies.

“The maximum financing provided by MTDC for each application is RM15 million while RHB Islamic will provide additional financing with at least the same amount of MTDC financing,” he told reporters after signing the agreement here today.Signing on behalf of RHB Islamic was RHB Banking Group deputy

group managing director Datuk Khairussaleh Ramli.

Khairussaleh said the collaboration is the right platform to drive growth of its Islamic business domestically and regionally.

He said the banking group recently embarked on a transformation programme aimed at positioning the group as a leading multinational financial service provider by 2020 and lifting the bank as the country’s leader in Islamic banking.

“With innovative product offerings and an enhanced distribution model, we are confident that RHB

MTDC, RHB Islamic join hands to finance Bumiputera tech-based SME

Islamic will achieve its aspiration in becoming one of the top Islamic banks in Malaysia by 2017,” he said.

On RHB Islamic business outlook, he said the bank anticipated a slower financing growth of 20 per cent this year compared with 37 per cent last year on account of softer loan demand.

He said the bank would focus on the financing of SMEs this year as the key area of growth.

(From left) MTDC Director of technology ventures Mohammad Hazani Hassan, MTDC director Christina Foo, MTDC CEO Norhalim and MTDC Director of corporate services Mariamah Daud pose for a photo after the roadshow here yesterday.


KUALA LUMPUR 6 Mac - RHB Islamic Bank (RHB Islamic) dan Perbadanan Pembangunan Teknologi Malaysia (MTDC) menandatangani perjanjian usahasama bagi menyediakan pembiayaan kepada syarikat bumiputera yang berteraskan teknologi di bawah Dana Pengembangan Perniagaan Bumiputera (BEF).

Timbalan Pengarah Urusan RHB Banking Group, Datuk Khairussaleh Ramli berkata, menerusi perjanjian berkenaan, RHB Islamic akan menjadi penjaga dana yang akan diletakkan di dalam akaun Commodity Murabahah Deposit-I.

Ujarnya, dana tersebut bakal meningkatkan pembiayaan

sehingga RM300 juta bagi syarikat bumiputera yang layak.

“Di bawah BEF yang diumumkan kerajaan, MTDC m e n g u r u s k a n dana sebanyak RM150 juta yang d i a m a n a h k a n k e r a j a a n melalui Unit Peneraju Agenda B u m i p u t e r a ( T e r a j u ) , jadi dengan kerjasama kita pada hari ini ia dapat membantu s y a r i k a t terbabit untuk m e n i n g k a t k a n pembiayaan bagi mengembangkan p e r n i a g a a n

me reka,” katanya selepas menandatangani perjanjian tersebut di sini hari ini.

Yang turut hadir, Ketua Pegawai Eksekutif MTDC, Datuk Nurhalim Yunus.

Sementara itu, Nurhalim berkata, sejak ditubuhkan pada 1992, MTDC telah membantu lebih 600 syarikat

RHB Islamic, MTDC bantu PKS teknologiteknologi bumiputera mengembangkan perniagaan mereka.

“Di bawah program pembiayaan ini, syarikat-syarikat yang kita bantu telah berjaya merekodkan jualan sebanyak RM1.8 bilion, mewujudkan 250 pekerjaan baharu dan memfailkan lebih 500 hak harta intelek,” katanya.

Ujarnya, MTDC akan terus komited membantu perusahaan kecil dan sederhana (PKS) bumiputera dalam bidang teknologi untuk menjadi lebih inovatif sesuai dengan kehendak pasaran.

“Justeru, kami berbesar hati menjalinkan kerjasama dengan RHB Islamic bagi membantu PKS menjadi lebih maju dan berdaya saing,” katanya.

Sementara itu, RHB Banking Group mengunjurkan pertumbuhan bagi segmen pembiayaannya sebanyak 10 peratus bagi tahun ini.



Norhalim YUNUS (dua dari kanan) bertukar-tukar dokumen dengan Khairussaleh Ramli pada Majlis Menandatangani Perjanjian Kerjasama antara RHB Islamic dan MTDC di Kuala Lumpur, semalam. – utusan/Farid Janudin


Sumber :Tempo.co


Teknologi Sawit Untuk Masyarakat Kampar


Sumber : Utusan Malaysia

Kejayaan FMBioSisLahirkan usahawan bioteknologi hasil p eng komersia lan R&D FRIM

SEBANYAK 10 syarikat yang pernah menerima latihan atau mengikuti Program Pembangunan Usahawan Siswazah FRIM-MTDC (FMBiosis) yang dikelolakan oleh Institut Penyelidikan Perhutanan Malaysia (FRIM) dan Malaysian Technology Development Corporation (MTDC) telah menjadi usahawan yang berjaya dan cemerlang dalam bidang masing-masing.

Program tersebut yang dilancarkan pada 21 Mei 2008 bertujuan untuk melahirkan usahawan elit dalam kalangan siswazah yang disokong oleh teknologi serta kepakaran daripada FRIM dan pembiayaan serta bimbingan perniagaan MTDC.

Program tersebut turut menggalakkan proses pengkomersialan hasil penyelidikan FRIM. Dalam masa sama membuka peluang kepada graduan menceburi bidang bioteknologi.

Meskipun baru setahun jagung berjinak-jinak dalam bidang keusahawanan, peserta menganggap ia merupakan peluang yang terbentang luas mencapai impian selepas bergelar graduan.

Berdepan cabaran mengetengahkan produk bukan penghalang untuk meneruskan usaha tersebut.

Sebaliknya graduan tersebut sentiasa mencari jalan menghasilkan inovasi berkonsep mesra alam dan memasuki pasaran sejak 2013 merupakan satu kejayaan besar yang boleh dibanggakan.

Menurut Ketua Unit Inkubasi dan Syarikat Terbitan, Bahagian Pengkomersialan dan Inovasi FRIM, Dr. Fadhilah Zainuddin, program yang julung kali diadakan itu diharap dapat melahirkan golongan biousahawan siswazah yang berjaya dan menjadi kepada pemangkin pertumbuhan industri bioteknologi negara.

Berbekal dana sebanyak RM 14.7 juta pada ketika itu, beliau yang juga bekas Ketua Pegawai Eksekutif FMBioSis berkata, peserta program bukan sahaja menjalankan kajian dan menghasilkan produk, sebaliknya mereka perlu memahami dunia perniagaan.

Sehubungan itu peserta perlu mengikuti kelas perniagaan, pemasaran, akaun dan sebagainya memastikan mereka mengetahui tentang aspek keusahawanan.

``Program tersebut turut menawarkan pendekatan yang komprehensif dalam bidang keusahawanan, pendedahan kepada teknologi, pembentukan syarikat, pemindahan teknologi, pembangunan produk, khidmat teknikal yang berterusan serta bimbingan keusahawanan dan pembangunan perniagaan,’’ujarnya.

Komponen lengkap yang ditawarkan itu mampu melahirkan seorang usahawan berdaya maju yang akan menjayakan usaha pengkomersialan hasil penyelidikan dan pembangunan (R&D).

Menurut Dr. Fadhilah, meskipun baharu dalam bidang keusahawan, mereka mula semakin mengetahui selok belok perniagaan. Peserta juga memahami kehendak pelanggan serta pasaran yang sentiasa dahagakan sesuatu yang baharu.

Tambahnya, oleh kerana kesemua syarikat tersebut telah bergraduasi, FRIM tidak lagi memegang saham terbesar dalam syarikat tersebut.

Ini bagi memberi peluang kepada syarikat berkenaan berdikari sekali gus membolehkan usahawan berniaga dan mempromosi produk melalui cara tersendiri.

“Langkah ini juga membolehkan mereka lebih memahami kehendak pelanggan dan sentiasa membuat penambahbaikan dari segi pembungkusan, teknik pasaran, promosi atau menambah variasi pada produk ciptaan mereka.

“Pelepasan kepentingan FRIM daripada syarikat itu juga bertujuan memberi peluang kepada syarikat untuk mencari pelabur baharu yang berminat dalam syarikat FMBioSis,” katanya.

Tambah Dr. Fadhilah, kesemua syarikat tersebut sedang memasuki fasa pemasaran produk dan sedang meraih keuntungan daripada hasil jualan produk.

Namun katanya, perkara itu tidak semudah yang dijangka memandangkan teknologi atau produk yang dihasilkan itu bukanlah jaminan untuk melariskan sesuatu produk di pasaran.

Strategi pemasaran yang berkesan penting bagi mengenal pasti kumpulan sasaran selain pengguna perlu diberikan pengetahuan mengenai keunikan produk baharu.

Menurutnya, sambutan terhadap produk hasil teknologi FRIM amat positif dan pengguna amat yakin dengan keluaran tersebut apabila turut mendapat tempahan daripada beberapa syarikat besar di negara ini.

Tiada apa yang mematahkan semangat usahawan tersebut walaupun terpaksa bermula dengan modal sederhana dan dari bawah.

Satu kejayaan besar apabila syarikat FMBioSis turut mencatatkan kejayaan daripada sebuah kilang pengekstrakan aktif herba kepada bertaraf Amalan Pengilangan Baik (GMP), dibangunkan oleh Poly-

Xtract Sdn. Bhd. yang memberi khidmat pengekstrakan kepada pengusaha tempatan.

Dalam pada itu Dr. Fadhilah memberitahu, program FMBioSis dijangka diteruskan pada tahun hadapan .

Program tersebut dihentikan sementara pada tahun ini bagi membolehkan FRIM memfokus kepada usaha menambah baik pembangunan produk dan teknologi sedia ada.

Menerusi pengalaman mengendalikan program sebelum ini, FRIM mengenal pasti beberapa kelemahan yang perlu diperbaiki bagi memudahkan proses pengkomersialan.

Terdapat teknologi atau produk yang dihasilkan di makmal masih belum bersedia untuk dipasarkan menyebabkan syarikat terpaksa mengambil masa yang agak lama untuk membangunkan.

FRIM yakin sekiranya usahawan yang mengikuti program itu menggunakan teknologi atau produk sedia untuk dipasarkan sudah pastinya akan menarik lebih banyak syarikat untuk mengkomersialkannya sekali gus mengurangkan risiko kegagalan.

Oleh itu, menerusi bahagian tersebut, FRIM mengatur strategi untuk merapatkan jurang di antara R&D dan pengkomersialan bagi menjamin teknologi tersebut sedia diambil oleh syarikat atau usahawan yang berminat.

FMBioSis yang merupakan program perintis untuk membangunkan usahawan teknologi di negara ini turut mengorak langkah dengan membuka peluang bagi universiti tempatan untuk menjayakan program seumpama itu .

Program yang dikenali sebagai Symbosis melibatkan antaranya Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM), Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) dan Universiti Malaysia Perlis (UniMAP) yang merupakan kesinambungan program tersebut.

Syarikat-syarikat FMbIOsis peringkat awal

1. Agriclone Tech Sdn. Bhd.

Produk: Anak benih kultur tisu, spesies karas, kelapa sawit dan Eucalpytus.

2. Bio Blooms Sdn. Bhd

Produk: Anak benih kultur tisu, spesies buluh, aglaonema, orkid dan nepenthes.

3.Unibio Plants Sdn. Bhd.

Produk: Anak benih, kultur tisu, spesies vanila, pisang dan tongkat ali.

4.PhyTotech Sdn. Bhd.

Produk: Anak benih kultur tisu, spesies nanas MD2, sesenduk dan Jatropha (pokok karas).

5. Bio-Nature Formula Sdn. Bhd.

Produk: HOMe-Spa berasaskan ekstrak tumbuhan dan minyak pati, mandian badan beraroma terapi, skrub badan, losen tangan dan badan serta pencuci peribadi wanita jenama Forestra.

6. Nature Profusion Sdn. Bhd.

Produk: Pengkomersialan anti MRSA antiseptik dan disinfektan berasaskan bahan semula jadi jenama Ci’era.

7. Nourish Care Sdn. Bhd.

Produk: Pengkomersialan produk untuk diabetes dalam bentuk makanan, minuman dan suplemen jenama Le’Natura.

8. Ligni-Energy Sdn. Bhd.

Produk: Pengkomersialan bahan api biojisim, pelet dan briket beraroma terapi.

9. Xtract Tech Sdn. Bhd.

Produk: Penghasilan biodiesel dari bahan mentah biji Jatropha.

10. Poly-Xtract Sdn. Bhd.

Produk: Pengeluaran ekstrak berasaskan air dan aktif fraksi daripada spesies herba tempatan dan perkhidmatan pengekstrakan.

Dr. Fadhilah Zainudin

1 Fast-forward with fibre


Sumber : Utusan Malaysia

Program pembangunan keusahawan berasaskan produk penyelidikan bukan perkara baharu dan ramai dalam kalangan mereka menempa kejayaan. Antara program yang telah mula menampakkan hasil ialah Program Pembangunan Biousahawan Siswazah FRIM-MTDC (FMBioSis) yang merupakan inisiatif Malaysia Technology Development Corporation (MTDC) dengan Institut Penyelidikan Perhutanan Malaysia (FRIM).

Program FMBioSis diperkenalkan pada 2008 bagi mencungkil bakat keusahawanan dalam kalangan siswazah yang sedang mengintai peluang menceburi bidang yang mereka inginkan.

Bagi program pertama, sebanyak 10 syarikat terbitan telah diwujudkan dengan asas perniagaan mereka berdasarkan penyelidikan yang pernah dijalankan oleh saintis FRIM. Ini termasuk herba, makanan kesihatan dan penjagaan serta dandanan diri.

Dua syarikat yang mula menapak kukuh dalam pengeluaran produk hasil penyelidikan FRIM menerusi program tersebut ialah Nature Profusion Sdn. Bhd. dan Nourish Care Sdn. Bhd.

Nature Profusion dibangunkan oleh Pengarah Eksekutifnya, Wan Sabariah Shuib dan telah enam tahun terlibat menghasilkan produk pembersih serba guna berasaskan tumbuhan dan herba.

Pada dasarnya, usaha beliau tidak sebegitu mudah tetapi berbekalkan prinsip tidak takut gagal dan semangat yang cekal, Wan Sabariah, 30, mampu membina perniagaan tersebut dan menjadikan syarikatnya berdiri teguh sehingga ke hari ini.

Menurut Wan Sabariah, berbekalkan minat mendalam, beliau berusaha gigih dan menjadikan dirinya lebih matang dan berpengetahuan luas dalam bidang yang baru diterokainya itu.

Selain itu, beliau lebih memahami potensi pasaran dengan menghasilkan produk yang mempunyai permintaan, berkualiti dan menarik minat pengguna.

Menjadikan tokoh korporat, Tan Sri Syed Mokhtar Albukhary sebagai idola, beliau mengakui bahawa keberanian melibatkan diri dalam bidang perniagaan bukan sahaja perlu memiliki kesungguhan, kesabaran dan bijak malah kejujuran dan amanah dalam melaksanakan tanggungjawab juga perlu disemai dalam hati.

Malah katanya, menjadi satu cabaran besar untuk menerokai pasaran yang banyak persaingan dengan nama-nama yang gah di pasaran.

Beliau yakin dengan produk keluaran syarikatnya yang membawa konsep pembersihan rumah dan diri ke arah transformasi yang lebih bersih dan selamat.

Dengan sokongan rakan perniagaan dan melalui pembacaan serta kajian mengenai produk yang ada di pasaran, beliau yakin produk pencuci serba guna, Ciera yang berasaskan bahan aktif daripada tumbuhan seperti ekstrak lidah buaya dan teh hijau boleh diterima ramai.

Ini kerana bahan utama yang digunakan itu tidak mempunyai kesan buruk jangka panjang kepada kesihatan manusia atau alam sekitar.

Jelas graduan Universiti Malaysia Terangganu (UMT) itu, pengguna perlu menyedari tahap kebersihan rumah selepas melakukan kerja-kerja tersebut.

Ini kerana, pembersihan rumah menggunakan pencuci konvensional mengundang risiko akibat penggunaan bahan kimia yang terkandung di dalamnya.

Sementara itu, menurut Pengarah Teknologinya, Dr. Mastura Mohtar, bahan aktif unik daripada ekstrak lidah buaya dan teh hijau bukan sahaja membersih malah mengharumkan serta membasmi 99.9 peratus bakteria kebal dan rentan antibiotik dengan lebih berkesan.

Bahan utama itu juga melindungi seisi keluarga daripada jangkitan kuman.

Justeru, tanpa sumbangan FRIM dalam membekalkan teknologi dan MTDC yang membekalkan dana dalam bentuk geran, mustahil impiannya memiliki syarikat sendiri, tercapai.

Jelasnya, FRIM dan MTDC amat membantu syarikatnya untuk berdiri teguh dalam menyediakan platform yang selesa untuk memulakan perniagaan serta membantu dari segi latihan perniagaan dan promosi produk secara berterusan.

Siapa sangka dalam tempoh sesingkat enam tahun, Nature Profusion Sdn. Bhd berjaya mengembangkan empayar dan berjaya menebusi pasaran tempatan.

Buat masa kini, produk pencuci serbaguna telah berjaya memasuki pasaran tempatan serta mendapat permintaan yang amat menggalakkan.

Malah, beberapa syarikat besar selain FRIM dan Universiti Sains Malaysia turut menggunakan produk tersebut.

Dalam masa sama rangkaian produk pembersihan diri dijangka memasuki pasaran dalam masa terdekat.

Dalam pada itu, Wan Sabariah berharap syarikatnya akan terus melakar nama dalam menghasilkan lebih banyak variasi produk bukan sahaja berasaskan bahan semula jadi sebaliknya turut menghasilkan produk organik.

Pada masa akan datang, beliau berharap syarikatnya akan meneroka pasaran

antarabangsa untuk pertumbuhan perniagaan yang lebih agresif dan membina rangkaian perniagaan di dalam dan luar negara.

Wan Sabariah turut menasihati peniaga khususnya golongan muda yang berminat untuk menceburi bidang perniagaan agar memupuk minat dalam bidang tersebut.

“Mereka jangan mudah putus asa dengan rintangan dan cabaran selain belajar memahami kehendak pengguna dalam memastikan produk diterima pasaran’’ ujarnya.

Oleh itu, FMBioSis wajar dilihat sebagai satu usaha kerajaan melihat lebih ramai graduan bergelar usahawan bioteknologi dengan memanfaatkan penggunaan hasil penyelidikan FRIM.

Program tersebut antara lain bertujuan membangunkan graduan muda yang berpotensi dibentuk sebagai usahawan bioteknologi dengan mengkomersialkan teknologi penyelidikan tempatan.

Program FMBioSis juga boleh dianggap sebagai platform bagi pelajar yang bercadang untuk bekerja sendiri pada masa hadapan.

Wan Sabariah tidak gentar tewas dalam perniagaan

Ceburi industri herba

Usaha melahirkan usahawan bertujuan memanfaatkan teknologi tempatan dan aplikasi kaedah penyelidikan dalam menghasilkan inovasi, produk dan perkhidmatan untuk memenuhi pasaran dalam bioteknologi industri.

Menurut Wan Sabariah, minatnya dalam bidang perniagaan tidak mungkin dapat direalisasikan sekiranya tidak mendapat sokongan dan bantuan daripada pihak FRIM dan kesediaan MTDC memberikan bantuan modal dalam bentuk geran.

Katanya, menerusi program selama setahun itu, beliau bukan sahaja berjaya menubuhkan sebuah syarikat yang berdaya saing malah mempelajari selok- belok perniagaan serta pengurusan sesebuah syarikat dan bagaimana memastikan produk tersebut diterima.

Tambahnya, program FMBioSis yang kini diperluaskan di kebanyakan universiti perlu disahut oleh golongan pelajar yang mempunyai impian untuk berjaya terutamanya bagi mereka yang memasang cita-cita untuk menjadi seorang usahawan.

Pembelajaran yang ditawarkan amat berkesan dan secara menyeluruh daripada mula kajian sehingga teknik memasarkan sesuatu produk.

“(Justeru), tawaran tersebut amat sayang dilepaskan oleh mana-mana pelajar yang ingin menceburi bidang perniagaan,’’ kata Wan Sabariah.

Jelasnya, walaupun masih baru bertapak dalam industri, namun berkat usahanya, beliau menerima pengiktirafan

serta memenangi pelbagai anugerah antarabangsa termasuk Ciptaan Terbaik untuk kategori Sanitasi atau Kebersihan dari Persatuan Tandas Hong Kong (HKTA) dan Anugerah Pingat Perak Ekspo Reka Cipta Teknologi Antarabangsa (ITEX) 2009.

Baru-baru ini, syarikat itu juga telah dianugerahkan Persijilan Label Eko SIRIM daripada SIRIM QAS International dan sijil halal daripada Jabatan Kemajuan Islam Malaysia (Jakim) yang sekaligus mampu mencetus peluang bagi mengembangkan produk keluarannya.

Mereka yang ingin mendapatkan maklumat lanjut boleh hubungi 03-62625776 atau layari www.ciera.my

oleh MOHD KAMARULBAID


sebaliknya, kualiti produk yang kita hasilkan,” katanya.

Norhalim turut memberi contoh, untuk membangunkan sesuatu produk, usahawan yang mempunyai jaringan tidak mempunyai masalah kerana mampu mendapatkan bahan melalui rakan niaga mereka.

Dana kembang perniagaanSebagai sebuah badan yang menyediakan dana kepada usahawan yang mempunyai produk berasaskan teknologi, MTDC menyediakan dana buat usahawan untuk mengembangkan perniagaan mereka.

Menurut Norhalim, MTDC tidak hanya melahirkan usahawan Bumiputera dengan memberi bantuan dana semata-mata sebaliknya, agensi ini turut memberi bimbingan kepada usahawan dan turut sama membantu membangunkan perniagaan mereka.

Malah, beliau turut mengambil contoh kemampuan MGV Industries Sdn Bhd

Shah Alam - Usahawan Bumiputera perlu berfikiran global dan terbuka untuk terus maju dalam perniagaan dan tidak boleh terus bergantung dan berharap dengan bantuan kerajaan semata mata.

Untuk mencapai kejayaan dalam bisnes juga bukan sesuatu yang mudah sebaliknya, usahawan perlu melalui jatuh bangun dalam perniagaan dan belajar daripada kegagalan sebelum berjaya menjadi usahawan cemerlang.

Dalam memperluaskan perniagaan perkara paling penting perlu dilakukan usahawan adalah membina rangkaian bagi memastikan perniagaan dapat berjalan dengan lancar.

Sambil terus memberi penekanan kepada kepentingan membina rangkaian atau networking, Ketua Eksekutif Perbadanan Pembangunan Teknologi Malaysia (MTDC), Datuk Norhalim Yunus berkata usahawan Bumiputera perlu menjadikan cara berniaga usahawan bukan Bumiputera sebagai contoh.

“Usahawan Bumiputera memang mempunyai jati diri untuk berkembang maju tetapi kalau kita hanya menjalinkan hubungan sesama kita saja, maka kita tidak akan ke mana.

Kalau kita lihat cara usahawan bukan Bumiputera berniaga, mereka mempunyai rangkaian perniagaan yang luas dan tidak bergantung kepada kerajaan.

Sebagai usahawan kita tidak boleh bergantung kepada status usahawan Bumiputera kerana kalau kita ke luar negara untuk memperluaskan perniagaan, orang luar tidak memandang status kita

yang dulunya dikenali sebagai Madura Industries Sdn Bhd mengembangkan perniagaannya untuk menjadi syarikat Bumiputera pertama mengeluarkan air jus sparkling sehingga berjaya menembusi pasaran antarabangsa.

Istimewanya sparkling yang dikeluarkan syarikat ini adalah menggunakan buah-buahan eksotik hasil jalinan kerjasama penyelidikan dan pembangunan bersama MARDI.

Dalam membangunkan produk itu, syarikat ini turut berdepan kekangan dalam mendapatkan modal, bagaimanapun

dengan bantuan dana daripada MTDC ia mampu untuk kembali bernafas.

“Apa dilakukan oleh syarikat ini adalah satu contoh teknologi yang dibangunkan dalam bidang perniagaan makanan menghasilkan produk berkualiti dan diterima pada peringkat global.

Inovasi dan pasaran“Untuk membangunkan produk berteknologi tidak semestinya

ia berteknologi tinggi tetapi produk dihasilkan mesti mempunyai inovasi dan pasaran,” katanya.

Usahawan perlu bersikap lebih terbuka dalam menghasilkan produk pada masa kini kerana banyak produk berteknologi mampu dibangunkan dalam negara.

Bagi mengalakkan golongan muda menceburi sektor perniagaan, MTDC turut memperkenalkan Program Symbiosis.

Berfikiran global, perkukuh rangkaian

Danapembiayaanrealisasic i t a - c i t a

Cara berniaga, ketahanan usahawanbukan Bumiputera jadikan contoh

Semenjak program diperkenalkan, lebih daripada 70 syarikat ditubuhkan membabitkan kira-kira 100 usahawan muda dengan separuh daripada jumlah syarikat tersebut berjaya memasarkan produk mereka. Dengan bantuan khidmat nasihat daripada MTDC, syarikat sedang berusaha untuk menembusi pasaran antarabangsa.

Program ini turut membabitkan enam universiti, iaitu Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM), Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM), Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), Universiti Malaysia Perlis (Unimap), Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) dan satu institusi penyelidikan iaitu Institut Penyelidikan Perhutanan (FRIM). Di samping itu, untuk meningkatkan bilangan syarikat berteknologi di kawasan Utara, MTDC juga bekerjasama dengan Pihak Berkuasa Pelaksanaan Wilayah Ekonomi Koridor Utara (NCIA).

Program ini juga membabitkan lebih daripada 100 penyelidik tempatan dan ia secara tidak langsung mengeratkan hubungan kerjasama antara industri dan universiti.

oleh Haryani Ngah

Menteri Sains,Teknologi dan

Inovasi, Datuk DrEwon Ebin (tengah) ketika

penyerahan dana CDRF kepada syarikat pada majlis

Pelancaran MOSTI

Commercialisation Year di Shah

Alam, Selangor

‘‘ Sebagai usahawan kita tidak boleh bergantung kepada status usahawan Bumiputera kerana kalau kita ke luar negara untuk memperluaskan perniagaan, orang luar tidak memandang status kita sebaliknya, kualiti produk yang kita hasilkan” .

Norhalim Yunus,Ketua Eksekutif MTDC

Kuala Lumpur - menerusi dana pengkomersialan yang diwujudkan sejak Rancangan Malaysia Ketujuh (RMK-7) di bawah Kementerian Sains, Teknologi dan Inovasi (MOSTI), ratusan produk R&D sudah dikomersialkan dan ada yang sudah berjaya mendapat tempat di luar negara.

Menerusi pelan transformasi negara, Malaysia dijangka mencapai tahap negara berpendapatan tinggi dan mampu menjadi pengeluar teknologi menjelang tahun 2020.

Sedia geran Dalam usaha ini, kerajaan memperuntukkan

dana pembiayaan arah merealisasikan cita-cita itu menerusi penggabungan dan penyelesaian komersial dengan menyediakan geran kepada syarikat berasaskan teknologi, dana, dan ruang untuk inkubasi menjadi sokongan kepada nilai tambah.

Ini termasuk Dana Sains, Dana Tekno, Dana Inno (Inovasi) dan Dana Prapengkomersialan yang merangkumi Dana Pemerolehan Teknologi (TAF) serta Dana Biotechnology Corporation.

Selain itu, Dana Pengkomersialan dan Penyelidikan dan Dana Pembangunan

(CRDF), Dana Pengembangan Perniagaan Bumiputera (BEF), Dana Permulaan Perniagaan (BSF) dan Dana Perkembangan Perniagaan (BGF).

Jalankan projekDana ini ditawarkan kepada syarikat perusahaan kecil dan sederhana, institusi penyelidkan dan institusi pengajian tinggi untuk menjalankan projek yang meliputi sektor teknologi maklumat dan komunikasi, bioteknologi, industri, teras sains dan teknologi.



Menteri Pendidikan II, Datuk Seri Idris Jusoh (kanan) diiringi Norhalim melihat hasil R&D yang berjaya dikomersialkan selepas sidang media MTDC Technology Commercialisation Conference di Kuala Lumpur (FOTO NUR ADIBAH AHMAD IZAM/BH)

propelling research outcomes to market

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