GEORGE TOWN: Malaysia should tap on its experience in the electronics
industry to move into the growing sector of sensor technology.
Clean technology adviser for the government of China and Taiwan Dr William Kao
said Malaysia currently had no presence in the sensor technology
industry and should therefore tap on its electronic expertise to move
into the field soon.
“Sensors to detect motion, temperature and
pressure are found in all kinds of electronic devices. A smart phone,
for example, has 14 sensors. This shows how big the market is,” Kao told
StarBiz in an interview.
He was attending the Malaysian
Investment Development Authority's (Mida) seminar on electronics
industry. The event was officiated by Mida chairman Tan Sri Dr Sulaiman Mahbob.
Kao
said although there was currently overcapacity in solar energy,
Malaysia could position itself in the non-electronic green technology
areas.
“These include the technology to provide clean water and air treatment as well as green building materials.
“Malaysia
should also position itself as a long-term player in the renewable
energy sector, given the long-term prospects of the business despite the
oversupply of solar energy,” he said.
Kao said the capital
invested for clean technology generated two to four jobs for every one
job if the money was spent on fossil fuel industries.
“Many of
these jobs can't be exported, as they are based heavily on local
manpower in installation, operations and maintenance,” he said.
He said green jobs could pay well and span the spectrum from “green-collar” trade to Ph.D level engineers.
“Industrial
leaders in countries like the United States, China, South Korea,
Germany and Japan, who are responding to this opportunity, are now vying
for clean-tech leadership and the jobs that come with it,” he added.
Meanwhile,
Sulaiman said Malaysia was on track to achieve its targeted 12.8%
growth under the 10th Malaysia Plan for private investments in the
country, despite a weakening economy.
“The investment received
for the first quarter of 2012 showed positive growth. A significant
percentage is for the electronics industry,” he said.
by DAVID TAN @ thestar.com.my
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