Kuala lumpur: Malaysia's medical device industry continues to demonstrate remarkable growth and resilience, with exports surging by 31 per cent in 2024 to reach RM37 billion. Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad highlighted the significant investments and job creation within the sector during a recent event.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, between 2021 and 2024, the sector attracted a total of RM20 billion in domestic and foreign investments, contributing approximately RM1.8 billion annually to the national gross domestic product (GDP), and created more than 130,000 high-skilled jobs. "Under the New Industrial Master Plan 2030 (NIMP 2030), the medical device sector is recognised as a strategic growth driver that enhances Malaysia's investment value, strengthens the local supply chain, and positions our nation as a world-class hub for medical technology and innovation," Dr Dzulkefly said at the pre-launch of the International Medical Device Exhibition and Conference (IMDEC) 2026 and the MedTechPreneur 1.0 Programme.
He further elaborated that the Medical Device Authority (MDA) continues to exemplify progressive and effective regulatory leadership through the Regulatory Reliance Programme with China and Singapore, enabling devices approved by MDA to be registered through an abridged pathway in those countries and vice versa. "This milestone signifies a new era of regional collaboration and mutual recognition, reducing duplication and accelerating market access across borders," he added.
On the upcoming IMDEC 2026, which will be held over three days from August 26, 2026, at Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre, Dr Dzulkefly noted that the event will once again serve as a premier global platform for knowledge exchange, innovation, and collaboration.
Regarding the MedTechPreneur 1.0 Programme, a joint initiative between the Health Ministry and the Entrepreneur and Cooperatives Development Ministry (KUSKOP), he mentioned that the programme aims to cultivate a new generation of globally competitive MedTech entrepreneurs. "It aligns with the MADANI Economy agenda, the National Entrepreneurship Policy 2030, and the NIMP 2030, empowering start-ups and micro, small, and medium enterprises to innovate, scale, and enter global markets. It also provides structured support across product development, certification, regulatory compliance, and commercialisation," he stated, emphasizing its role as a strategic national platform connecting researchers, universities, industries, and investors to translate Malaysian innovation into world-class medical technologies.
"Through this collaboration, we aim to build a strong ecosystem that transforms Malaysia from consumer to creator, ensuring that our local innovators and entrepreneurs become key players in global healthcare settings," Dr Dzulkefly added.
Meanwhile, Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Minister Datuk Ewon Benedick, during his speech at the pre-launch, expressed that MedTechPreneur 1.0 would offer entrepreneurs opportunities to engage in the medical gadget industry and fill spaces in the global supply chain as producers and inventors of future medical technology. "KUSKOP, which has been given the mandate to head entrepreneurial and cooperatives development, remains committed to helping entrepreneurs and cooperatives in empowering the entrepreneurial ecosystem," he stated.