The National Technology and Innovation Sandbox (NTIS) initiative under the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MOSTI) allows local companies to test innovative technologies in a live environment before commercialisation, the Dewan Negara was told today.
Deputy Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Datuk Mohammad Yusof Apdal said the programme is regarded as comparable to technology sandbox initiatives in countries such as Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
He said the initiative not only provides regulatory facilitation but also supports funding matching and technical assistance to accelerate the commercialisation of local technologies.
“The level of government support for local companies and innovators is on par with regulatory sandbox programmes in Saudi Arabia and the UAE, as NTIS offers the same functions, with the added focus on funding matching and technical assistance for commercialisation,” he said when replying to a question from Senator Datuk Seri Dr Mujahid Yusof.
Mohammad Yusof noted that one success story from the programme is the QuikHalal© application developed by Holistics Lab Sdn Bhd, a spin-off from researchers at Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM), which provides digital halal auditing solutions.
Meanwhile, he said the NTIS platform is also designed as an express pathway to help startups overcome bureaucratic hurdles through regulatory exemptions, cross-agency collaboration, and the provision of financing and technical support.
“So far, 142 projects have been approved under NTIS, with approximately RM50 million disbursed based on project achievements. Of these, 14 technological solutions have successfully entered international markets, generating export value exceeding RM1.2 billion,” he said.
Mohammad Yusof added that the government also facilitates access to international markets through partnerships with halal certification bodies such as the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (JAKIM), ensuring that local Islamic technologies have the potential to penetrate global markets.
In the pharmaceutical sector, he said, through the VentureTECH Strategic Investment Fund, local company Ain Medicare Sdn Bhd has successfully produced more than 98 pharmaceutical products, over 60 of which are halal-certified and exported to West Asian markets.
Bernama
