Tan Sri Mohd Sidek Hassan

Datuk Noriyah Ahmad“The capacity to absorband utilise knowledgeis critical to enable thedevelopment of newknowledge and innovation,thus enhancing competitiveadvantage. It is observedthat knowledge intensityin biotechnology firms ishigher than others”ConclusionIndustries identified lack of funds and English-speaking workers as well as inadequateskills as constraints in improving knowledge content, worker skill and ICT utilisation.Industries have significantly increased their extent of preparedness to becomeknowledge intensive with variations in the knowledge content dimensions.Findings of the study will form a valuable input for the upcoming 10th MalaysiaPlan. The Government will play its facilitator role by creating a more conduciveenvironment to support innovation, human capital development and the pervasiveuse of technology while the private sector is expected to lead as the engine ofgrowth.The private sector must be willing to invest in the development of its humanresource, which is key to innovation, and increase its collaboration with otherplayers within and outside of the industry that may be a part of its supply ormarketing value chain. We must become more focused on areas of opportunityfor Malaysia, not by driving down wages, but through creativity and innovation indeveloping products and services that meet global standards.In today’s era of convergence, we will see a move into cross-sectoral fields ofeconomic activities, which include healthcare, agro and industrial biotechnology.ICT will continue to play a dual developmental role which is as an industry and asan enabler in driving the growth of our economy.103