KUALA LUMPUR, 10 DECEMBER – A record number of MSC [Multimedia Supercorridor] Malaysia status companies have achieved global standards, according to Malaysian government ICT agency MDeC.
Multimedia Development Corporation (MDeC) chief executive officer Dato’ Badlisham Ghazali said he and the deputy minister of science, technology and innovation (MOSTI) Tuan Haji Fadillah Haji Yusof awarded global standards certificates to 64 companies as during the MSC Malaysia Achievement Event 2009 (AE09) gala ceremony held recently in Malaysia.
“Among the achievements of the 64 companies are certifications in the CMMI (Capability Maturity Model Integration), the ISO 20000 (Information Technology Service Management), the ISO 27001 (Information Security Management System), Software Testing, Six Sigma and Professional Development,” said Badlisham.
“The certifications were earned through participation in the MSC Malaysia Capability Development Programme (CDP),” he added. “Others among the companies that were also honoured at the AE09 had sent their personnel for on-going skills and knowledge education under the MSC Malaysia CDP Professional Development.”
He said 250 MSC Malaysia Status companies participated in 20 programmes conducted by the MSC Malaysia CDP as part of ‘Innovate My Process’ initiative. “These programmes addressed the key areas of customer service, systematic innovation, cost optimisation, process improvement, product performance enhancement, and brand management, among others.”
“The MSC Malaysia CDP Six Sigma was a programme that evolved significantly under the ‘Innovate My Process; initiative,” said Badlisham. “The benefits derived from the programme have led to 12 of the participating companies to project that they will collectively save US$3.91 million (RM3.13 million) annually.”
A tough year for business – 2009
To date, more than 180 companies have been granted global standard certifications since the MSC Malaysia CDP was launched in 2004, according to Badlisham. “In 2009, the MSC Malaysia CDP delivered more than 80 capability development activities benefitting about 1,600 companies.”
“In 2010, MSC Malaysia CDP will increase its focus on innovation,” he said. “New programmes that will be introduced will focus on intellectual property as well as expand the current MSC Malaysia CDP marketing programme to look into aspects of product and service commercialization,” said Badlisham.
“MSC Malaysia CDP will also introduce the Product Assessment Framework and MSC Malaysia Product Rating Standard. Together, these initiatives seek to promote the development of quality products among MSC Malaysia Status companies,” said Badlisham.
“In 2008, companies that had participated in MSC Malaysia CDP programmes achieved a 93 per cent growth in export sales. This is an increase from the 2007 figure of 79 per cent,” he said. “2009 has been a tough year for business. Despite intense pressure to control costs, MSC Malaysia Status companies have continued to invest in raising their competitiveness through adopting global best practices.”
“A key factor behind this large number of companies’ participation is the MSC Malaysia CDP’s ‘Innovate My Process’ initiative,” he said. “Early in the year, the MSC Malaysia CDP realised that it needed to help companies find ‘quick win’ steps that would deliver near-term ROI [returns on investment] through cost-effective investment.”
