ROADMAP TO TURN PLASTICS SECTOR INTO WORLD CLASS PLAYER WITHIN NEXT DECADE

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 28 (Bernama) -- The Malaysian Plastics Manufacturers
Association (MPMA) has developed a technology roadmap to transform the plastics
industry into a world class player within the next decade.

Its president, Lim Kok Boon, said to achieve the vision, the MPMA members
should focus on five core areas -- advanced materials, new product development,
advanced manufacturing technology, education and training; and, sustainable
development.

Lim said this at the 5th MPMA International Plastics Conference, themed
'Roadmap to Value Economy' here Tuesday.

The gist of his speech was released here Tuesday.

He said the MPMA has sent the proposals to the government.

"The roadmap aims to help members pursue product development activities and
to help build a higher skills workforce for the industry," he said.

Lim said a highly-skilled, creative and competitive workforce was needed for
the industry to contribute to an innovation-led economy.

"The industry has to innovate approaches in producing plastic products, be
it in the development of products or manufacturing operations," he said.

He said the plastics industry was able to boost exports because the MPMA
members had moved up the value chain to focus more on quality.

He said certain countries were also moving up the value chain and it was
imperative for the companies to continue with their journey to upgrade skills
and technology.

Earlier, Deputy Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Fadillah
Yusof, said MPMA's roadmap and conference could help the industry to actively
participate in helping the nation achieve high-income economy status.

He said the industry must take cognisance of the global challenges ahead.

"To achieve the bold ambitions that have been set out by the New Economic
Model, the plastics industry needed to change the way it has been doing things
and innovate," he said at the opening of the conference.

-- BERNAMA