Kuala lumpur: Malaysia should aim to surpass RM50 billion in medical device exports by 2030, up from RM34.54 billion recorded last year. Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi outlined this export target as one of three key ambitions to measure the country's progress in developing its medical technology (MedTech) industry by 2030.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Ahmad Zahid emphasized the need for Malaysia to leverage its manufacturing base, market access, and global confidence to drive the next phase of export growth through higher-value products. Speaking at the closing ceremony of the International Medical Device Exhibition and Conference (IMDEC) 2026, he also highlighted the importance of developing at least 10 Malaysian MedTech champions capable of competing on both regional and global stages.
Ahmad Zahid expressed the intention to continue welcoming leading international MedTech companies while fostering local firms that create technology, hold intellectual property, and compete internationally. The third ambition he outlined is for at least 50 percent of jobs created by new MedTech investments by 2030 to be in managerial, technical, and supervisory (MTS) positions, noting that the current MTS index in the sector stood at 33.1 percent in 2025.
He stressed that while capital might enter Malaysia, the capability must also remain within the country. Ahmad Zahid, who also chairs the National Technical and Vocational Education and Training Council, underscored the need for talent development ahead of investment arrivals to avoid workforce shortages. He urged companies to engage early in shaping educational programs, identifying future skills, and providing industrial exposure and apprenticeship pathways.
In 2025, Malaysia approved RM4 billion in new medical device investments across 46 projects, creating nearly 3,400 employment opportunities. The global medical device industry, which was valued at over USD572 billion last year, is projected to exceed USD1 trillion by 2034. The IMDEC 2026 event, held from August 26 to 28, gathered more than 160 exhibitors and over 50 regional and international speakers focusing on regulation, innovation, and healthcare transformation.