Penang positions itself as China-Malaysia technology hub for Asean
GEORGE TOWN: Penang wants to position itself as a platform for Chinese and Malaysian companies to jointly develop and scale technologies for the wider Asean market, said Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow.
He said the proposed approach would leverage China’s scale, technology and industrial experience with Penang’s established semiconductor and manufacturing ecosystem, experienced talent and strategic position for Asean.
“This is how we turn economic ties into shared competitive advantage,” he said at a reception marking the 77th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China at a hotel in Gurney Drive on Tuesday.
He also said the next phase of China-Penang economic relations should create lasting value through technology, skills, stronger companies, new markets and opportunities for the people.
Chow said Penang should aim to develop more companies that create AI products, intellectual property and businesses.
“As AI reshapes industry, this becomes even more important.” He stressed that this would require closer links between Chinese companies, Malaysian SMEs and local suppliers, creating opportunities for joint development and participation in global value chains.
He called for stronger links between industry, universities and talent, particularly in AI, semiconductors and advanced manufacturing, so that knowledge could be translated into skills and commercial opportunities.
He said Penang’s role could be to provide a platform on which Chinese and Malaysian companies develop and scale technologies together for the wider Asean market.
Chow said Penang’s existing economic links with China provide a strong foundation for the next phase of cooperation.
From January to July, Penang exported RM64 billion to China, accounting for half of Malaysia’s exports to China, with 81% comprising electrical and electronics products and parts.
About 90 Chinese companies now operate in the state, including Guangdong Fastrain Technology Malaysia and BYD Electronics.
He said the partnership should ultimately be measured not only by the amount of capital moving between China and Malaysia but also the value created for companies, young people and communities in China, Malaysia and across Asean.
Meanwhile, in his speech at the same reception, Chinese consul-general in Penang Zhou Youbin said China-Malaysia economic and trade cooperation and people-to-people exchanges continue to produce results, citing more than US$104 billion (RM420 billion) in bilateral trade in the first half of the year and more than 2.65 million visits by Chinese citizens to Malaysia.
The Sun Malaysia
