MALAYSIAN businesses especially small and medium enterprises (SMEs) are being encouraged to invest in cloud infrastructure and adopt a digital mindset to ensure long-term sustainability and competitiveness on a global scale, announced Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz.
Speaking at Google’s Cloud Day Malaysia, Tengku Zafrul highlighted the transformative impact of cloud technologies on Malaysia’s economy. He noted significant improvements in productivity and the creation of high-skilled jobs across various sectors.
“We have seen a surge in efficiency and innovation as industries leverage cloud-based solutions to streamline operations, automate tasks and gain valuable insights from data,” he remarked.
For instance, the manufacturing sector has leveraged cloud technologies to optimise supply chains, monitor equipment performance, and enhance overall production efficiency.
Similarly, advancements in healthcare have seen hospitals improve patient care, manage electronic medical records, and expand telemedicine services through cloud technology.
“These advancements not only enhance productivity through data-driven insights but also generate opportunities for high-skilled professionals in fields like data analytics, software development, and cloud architecture,” said Tengku Zafrul.
Highlighting the scalability and agility of cloud platforms, he pointed out how Malaysian startups and SMEs can now scale up and compete globally by accessing resources previously available only to larger corporations.
“So, even smaller enterprises can leverage resources that were previously only available to larger corporations.”
According to Tengku Zafrul, access to such enabling capacity levels the playing field, encouraging SMEs to expand their reach into new markets, forge international partnerships and compete effectively.
He also mentioned Malaysia’s initiatives to transform 3,000 smart factories and establish itself as a hub for Generative AI, underscoring the critical role of cloud-based infrastructure in these ambitious projects.
“Google is helping Malaysia realise key missions under our industrial transformation agenda, including helping our businesses and industries tech up, automate, digitalise and robotise their operations.
“From the ministry”s perspective, the tech investments that we target and particularly favour are the ones that will promote inclusive socio-economic development,” he stated.
Regarding Google’s recent US$2 bil investment in a data centre in Malaysia, Tengku Zafrul hailed it as a testament to Malaysia’s growing competitiveness and importance as a regional digital innovation hub.
“There are only 11 countries in the world where Google has data centre investments of this scale, and we appreciate Malaysia being one of them.
“Regardless of how we were globally ranked on our competitiveness based on a snapshot of time, the proof of the pudding is in the eating,” added Tengku Zafrul.
The Cloud Day Malaysia event convened 479 participants from public and private sectors, facilitating discussions, forging partnerships and showcasing the transformative potential of cloud and AI technologies.
Companies like AirAsia Move, Gamuda Bhd and Bank Muamalat were present to showcase their involvement in AI innovation in their operations. – June 26, 2024
Main photo credit: Harian Metro
