Kuala Lumpur: Malaysia has successfully maintained its status as the ninth-largest exporter of high-technology products among 143 countries worldwide in 2023. This achievement marks the highest recognition the country has achieved in the past decade.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Datuk Seri Hasnol Zam Zam Ahmad, the secretary-general of the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MOSTI), highlighted that Malaysia’s high-tech exports increased by US$2 billion, reaching a total of US$127 billion in 2023. The high-tech exports represented 58.69% of total manufacturing exports, up from 52.48% in 2022, contributing to the country’s highest trade surplus in a decade, which amounted to US$51.5 billion.
During the launch of the Malaysia High Technology Performance Report 2023, Hasnol Zam Zam discussed the challenges of measuring the value of high-tech exports, noting the necessity to adhere to international standards set by organizations such as the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and the World Bank. He acknowledged the pivotal role of the Malaysia Industry-Government Group for High Technology (MIGHT) in tracking and calculating Malaysia’s high-tech export performance.
The briefing was also attended by MIGHT co-chair (industry) Tan Sri Ahmad Tajuddin Ali, co-chair (government) Tan Sri Zakri Abdul Hamid, and president and CEO Rushdi Abdul Rahim. Hasnol Zam Zam underscored MOSTI’s commitment to fortifying the national innovation ecosystem to ensure sustained competitiveness, particularly in high technology.
Rushdi highlighted that the telecommunications electronics product group was the largest contributor, generating US$36 billion and accounting for 80.58% of total high-tech goods exports across nine subgroups. He noted the growth potential in other categories, such as scientific equipment, office machinery, electrical machinery, and aerospace surplus, which require a strong innovation ecosystem and effective market strategies.
He further stated that the dynamic innovation ecosystem not only supports Malaysia’s goal to become a high-income, technology-based economy but also strengthens the country’s technological sovereignty, enabling Malaysia to master and control strategic technologies.