Many would think of SIRIM Berhad – or just SIRIM itself – as the little logo that can be found on most electrical and electronic goods in Malaysia.
What they may not be aware about the organisation, however, is how it has been championing entrepreneurship development in Malaysia for the past many years, primarily through programmes and projects that encourage micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) to enhance the quality of their products.
“SIRIM is always focused on improving the productivity of micro, small and medium-sized enterprises,” says head of SIRIM Sarawak En Kasvenda bin Kassim in an interview with RAKAN Sarawak.
In fact, the country’s premier industrial research and technology organisation is expected to lend its experience and expertise in supporting the Malaysian Government towards realising the goals of the 12th Malaysia Plan (12MP), which includes transforming MSMEs into new drivers of socio-economic growth.
One such effort is the project on Smart & Intelligent (SI) Packaging innovation development for Malaysian-made products.
Currently involving many businesses in West Malaysia, En Kasvenda explains that the resulting innovation of the project enables product traceability through the Quick Response (QR) code found on a product label.
“When we scan the QR code, we can view all the information we need to know (as consumers), including ingredients and country of origin,” he adds.
Through the project, SIRIM aims to establish five local SMEs that are able to adapt the latest technology and enter the high-value value chain of SI product packaging.
Other objectives include creating and developing competitive SI packaging innovation based on the most advanced and highest quality technology; implementing packaging Industry 4.0 technology in Malaysia; and strengthening the quality of Malaysian-made products as well as expanding the market locally and globally.
SIRIM’s Entrepreneur Development Programme
SIRIM’s SI Packaging is developed by its Packaging and Security Design Centre (PSDC), which it hopes to “improve the shelf life or quality of contents, monitor the condition of the product and relay information such as freshness, temperature and storage time.”
It is part and parcel of PSDC’s services in packaging and service design that essentially focuses on supporting entrepreneurs in increasing their sales, market expansion and competitiveness through improved product quality.
The centre also provides consultancy services to MSMEs through its Entrepreneur Development Programme via the SIRIM-East Coast Economic Region (ECER) entrepreneurship programme.
The collaboration is a portion of the entrepreneur ECER programme, focusing as a whole on helping participants to grow their business by enhancing their productivity, market penetration and market expansion.
For its role in entrepreneurial enhancement, SIRIM works together with the East Coast Economic Region Development Council (ECERDC) on initiatives that aim to equip participants with various skills required as entrepreneurs, such as industry-specific technical skills, sales and marketing, business strategy, leadership, and product development.
“Until 2020, we have nurtured 481 entrepreneurs in the East Coast, who have recorded a 38 per cent increase in sales and 27 per cent increase in job creation,” states chief executive officer of PSDC Pn Rafidah Mokhdar.
SIRIM’s Scope of Involvement in Realising 12MP Goals
- Strengthening the Medical Device Industry Through Upgrading of Testing Facilities and Product Development Facilities
- Project on Smart & Intelligent Packaging Innovation Development for Malaysian-made Products
- Empowering the Aerospace Sector to Penetrate the Global Market Through the Aerospace Quality Management System Certification Programme That Meets Required Standard (AS9100, AS9110, AS9120)
- Technology Enabling Support for Intervention Development and Digitalisation of Eco-industrial Park
Source: SIRIM Berhad
