KUALA LUMPUR, May 16 (Xinhua) -- Malaysia continues to rise up the value chain with strong performance in the machine and equipment manufacturing industry due to its emphasis on high technology and specialized products, Malaysian International Trade and Industry Deputy Minister Ong Kian Ming said on Thursday.
Delivering the keynote address at the launch of The 25th International Machine Tools and Metalworking Technology Exhibition (Metaltech) here, Ong said the country had become a leading manufacturer of high-technology and specialized equipment in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
"I would like to highlight that Malaysia's machine and equipment industry is among the largest and strongest in ASEAN.
"Malaysia is presently the leading manufacturer of specialized process and automation equipment for the electrical and electronics industry in the ASEAN region," he said.
Ong pointed to the exports by Malaysian companies as evidence of this, with 40.6 billion ringgit (9.7 billion U.S. dollars) worth of machine and equipment products, including specialized and general machines exported last year with the amount expected to exceed 10 billion U.S. dollars by 2020.
He also urged local manufacturers to maintain their momentum and said the government would support their efforts as the industry was a strategic catalyst to the fourth industrial revolution.
The annual exhibition, held between May 15 and May 18 this year, drew 1,500 companies from 40 countries and is held concurrently with the 12th Edition of International Automation Technology Exhibition (AUTOMEX) at the Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Center (MITEC).
Exhibitors include those specializing in machine tools and sheet metal technology, mold and die, precision engineering, surface and heat treatment, material handling and storage, welding, robotics and metallurgy.
The exhibition will also feature a seminar series covering topics such as the Nine Pillars of Industry 4.0 , Advanced Manufacturing and Smart Automation and Advanced Precision and Quality Controls Inspection.
Chinese companies are among the biggest exhibitors with nearly 50 companies from the country being represented including major players such as telecommunication giant Huawei and Beijing Jingdiao Group Co. Ltd., a leading high-speed machining center manufacturer.
Also featured prominently is e-commerce platform Made-in-China.com which functions as a bridge between global buyers and Chinese suppliers.
