Malaysia to expand digital, creative multimedia services

Minister of International Trade and Industry Mustapa Mohamed was quoted by the paper on June 20 as saying that the country could no longer rely on such sectors as electricity, electronics and oil to boost economic growth.

The biggest challenge for the expansion of the digital industry in Malaysia is the acquiring of essential infrastructure, ecosystem and human resources, Mustapa added.

He also stressed that the Southeast Asian country needs talents with niche skills to create more exportable services.

Mustapa mentioned the animation series “Ejen Ali”, produced by a local company, describing it as one of Malaysia’s best services exports through the creative media industry. The series was not only broadcasted locally but exported to more than 25 countries, earning 10 million RM (2.4 million USD) in 2016.

According to a report of the Ministry of International Trade and Industry, in 2016, investment in the digital and creative services sector involved nearly 4,200 new projects with about 88,110 jobs expected to be created. The sector is expected to create 9.3 million jobs in 2020./.