MIDA, MRM and FMFTA Host ‘Design Development & Innovation 2020’ Virtual Conference
Kuala Lumpur, 3 November 2020 – The Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA) in collaboration with Majlis Rekabentuk Malaysia (MRM) and the Federation of Fashion Textile & Apparel (FMFTA) organised the ‘Design Development & Innovation 2020’, a one-day virtual conference themed ‘Creating a Sustainable Fashion Brand’ today.
The event which was streamed live from the MIDA Headquarters brought together prominent industry stakeholders and garnered over 600 registered participants. It is part of MIDA’s on-going efforts to emphasise the importance of merging design and development with innovation to revolutionise the fashion and design industry in Malaysia.
Dato’ Azman Mahmud, the Chief Executive Officer of MIDA remarked “We are not solely seeking to build our fashion, textile and apparel industry’s manufacturing capabilities, but also our design potential given our large and growing local talent pool in the field. This is essential to ensure the industry’s long term sustainability and to attract higher quality investments, particularly in the industry’s upstream sub-sector.”
As of June 2020, more than 1,800 textiles and apparels projects have been implemented and are in production in Malaysia, with investments of RM22 billion. These projects have created over 240,000 jobs.
He added, “The Government, through MIDA, is intensifying our efforts to spur stakeholders to adopt higher value-added processes and technologies. There are various support and facilitation for local companies to make a move towards Industry 4.0 through initiatives such as Domestic Investment Strategic Fund (DISF), Industry4wrd Intervention Fund and Automation Capital Allowance. But to truly achieve tangible outcomes, more needs to be done collectively as an active industry to increase focus on automation, talent, skills and innovation.”
The Forum provided opportunities for participants to engage and learn from the esteemed panellists, including representatives from Ben Sherman & Diesel, Burberry, Bonia, Anakku, Audrey and Foundationals; academic scientists as well as research scholars. The panellists shared on brand sustainability in the fashion industry, particularly formulation of efficient processes, creation of environmentally friendly products as well as the importance of innovations in the fashion, textile and apparel industry.
The event also showcased local young creative talents through the ‘Creative Design Competition’ for new creations in Design, Development & Innovation categories. The winners were awarded cash prizes and accredited by MRM under the MRM Standard 01:2020 as a Certified Industrial Designer (CID).
The event closed with a Biz-Consult programme, participated by MIDA, MATRADE, MRM, MIDF, SME Corp and SME Bank. The platform enabled industry players to directly engage and consult with relevant stakeholders on their business concerns and available support.
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About MIDA
MIDA is the Government’s principal investment promotion and development agency under the Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI) to oversee and drive investments into the manufacturing and services sectors in Malaysia. Headquartered in Kuala Lumpur Sentral, MIDA has 12 regional and 20 overseas offices. MIDA continues to be the strategic partner to businesses in seizing the opportunities arising from the technology revolution of this era. For more information, please visit www.mida.gov.my and follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook, LinkedIn and YouTube channel.
For more information, please contact:
Ms. Najihah Abas
Director of Building Technology and Lifestyle Division, MIDA
Tel.: 03-2267 6717 | Email: [email protected]
