A BLUEPRINT is being prepared by the Malaysian Industry-Government Group for High Technology (MIGHT) to ensure Malaysia tap its unrealised potentials in the maritime sector.
 
Joint-chairman (industry) Tan Sri Dr Ahmad Tajuddin Ali said a maritime interest group, chaired by shipowner Halim Mazmin Bhd executive chairman Tan Sri Halim Mohammad, has evaluated the total maritime industry value chain and is now working closely to cut inefficiencies.
 
"I don't want to pre-empt (the blueprint), but it's a coordinated approach towards lowering the cost of maritime, improving efficiency at ports, which is an important link in getting our products (exports) out and something that can greatly improve the country's competitive position," Ahmad told reporters in Putrajaya after MIGHT's ninth annual general meeting yesterday.
 
Members in the MIGHT maritime interest group include shipping industry players, academicians, financiers and relevant agencies, like the Royal Malaysian Navy, Transport ministry, the Maritime Institute of Malaysia and the Malaysia International Shipping Corp Bhd.
 
The effort began in May last year, in recognition that the maritime sector is an important part of the logistics and supply chain that can potentially generate spin-off benefits to other industries should niche sectors and technologies be identified. More than 90 per cent of trade is carried through maritime channels.
 
Science Adviser to the Prime Minister and Might Joint-chairman (Government) Tan Sri Dr Ahmad Zaharudin Idrus said MIGHT will continue to identify issues that could enhance national competitiveness and promptly raise them to the national level so that Malaysia as a whole can work towards realising their benefits.
 
MIGHT president and chief executive Datuk Dr Ahmed Tasir Lope Pihie said the group will continue to undertake studies on emerging technologies like bio-technology, photonics, and nanotechnology.
 
MIGHT is a non-profit organisation set up on February 22 1993 as a platform for synergistic partnership between the private and public sectors working towards a common national.