BANGALORE, Jan 28 ― Seamless process in setting of business, good incentives and excellent infrastructure are among the key attractions to invest in Malaysia, participants of a seminar on
“Business Opportunities in Malaysia” were told today.

“The infrastructure is good and there is an integrated approach in attracting investments. Like in any other country, many ministries and departments would be involved, but the difference in Malaysia is the process is seamless.

“In most countries, you got to go door-to-door. In Malaysia, everybody knows what are the key sectors and it makes the process much easier,” Biocon Ltd Chief Operating Officer Dr Arun Chandavarkar said on the sidelines of the seminar.

About 150 Indian companies are participating in the seminar which is part of a trade mission led by International Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamad to Bangalore, Karnataka and Chennai, Tamil Nadu from January 27-30.

“Besides good infrastructure, good incentives as well as location were the main attraction points,” said Stelis Biopharma Chief Executive Officer Dr Anand Iyer.

Both Biocon and Stelis have biotechnology-related plants in Bio-Xcell Park in Johor.

“The location is based just outside Singapore, hence the supply chain logistics will also be good. We can also tap on talents from Singapore,” he said.

However, he said it would be good to have a bigger talent pool for the biotechnology sector in Malaysia.

Currently, Malaysia is yet to have an industrial training facility for biotechnology sector.

Hence, he proposed the setting up of a training facility either in Johor or Melaka.

“This can be done with the collaboration of companies like us, the government as well as local universities,” he said, adding that such tailored training would create a constant pull of talent for the sector.

For that to happen, “we would need some seed money or funding,” he said.

Anand said initial training would be through e-learning, hands on training in the laboratory as well as in-class room activities.

Asked on the government’s response to Stelis’ proposal, Anand said: “Response is positive but it is not working at the speed we expect it to be.”

He believed that if Malaysia was keen to make it big in the biotechnology industry, sustainable talent pool was very important. ― Bernama