Malaysian UK trade mission strengthens technology sector ties

• MDEC inks three MoUs with PGI Cyber Security, Future Cities Catapult, University of Salford
• Step towards DIT target of delivering £350 million in export wins in the tech sector by 2021

THE Malaysian Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC) participated in a tech trade mission two weeks ago with the UK Department for International Trade (DIT), following bilateral discussions between the countries since June.

The visit aimed to strengthen the economic, business and trade bonds between the two nations.

As part of the trade mission, MDEC, the body responsible for developing Malaysia’s digital economy, signed three Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs):

• With PGI Cyber Academy, Bristol, to collaborate to strengthen and develop cybersecurity capacity in Malaysia, and to work together to develop a cybersecurity academy in Malaysia. This is the first cyber security academy in the Asia Pacific region and will Introduce UK GCHQ accredited cyber security courses in building and strengthening the cyber security talent pool for Malaysia and APAC region.
• With Future Cities Catapult, London, to confirm an exchange and partnership programme for UK / Malaysian Smart Cities projects
• With the University of Salford to commit to a research and development (R&D) information exchange, focusing particularly on data analytics, IoT and cyber security.

The mission also saw three Malaysia based security companies (Sysarmy Sdn Bhd, TecForte Sdn Bhd and LGMS) signing MoUs with the University of Salford to fortify solution proposition in the area of cyber Threat intelligence, Darknet & Dark Web analysis, malware & vulnerability analysis, and IoT Security & Forensic.

Malaysia is the UK's second largest trading partner in The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) with bilateral trade reaching £4.4 billion in 2015 (and this figure expected to be significantly larger by the end of 2016).

Earlier in June DIT hosted MDEC during the London Tech Week, signifying the UK’s commitment and interest in relations with Malaysia’s technology sector, and Malaysia’s position as a gateway to Asean markets.

The mission was led by MDEC’s CEO Yasmin Mahmood, who commented: “We are excited to have signed MoUs with innovative UK organisations and building opportunities with the UK’s growing technology sector. DIT has been extremely supportive, and we are looking forward to further strengthening the relationship between our two nations”. 
 
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