KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 30 (Bernama) -- YB Datuk Darell Leiking, Minister of International Trade and Industry, launched the establishment of the Federation of Malaysian Fashion, Textiles & Apparels (FMFTA), at an event themed  ‘Fashion and Technology Shaping the Future’ at the Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA) headquarters, yesterday. Dato' Sri Tan Thian Poh has been elected as the Chairman of FMFTA Pro-tem Committee. The launching was attended by over 200 participants, including industry experts, professionals, designers as well as representatives of associations to commemorate this commendable milestone in the industry. The event also included a talk on ‘Fashion-Tech Shaping the Future’, followed by a Fashion-Tech Showcase.
 
MITI mooted the idea to unite all associations in Malaysia’s textiles and apparels industry under one umbrella last year. According to YB MITI Minister, “FMFTA will represent the collective and cohesive voice of the local textiles and apparels industry. This Federation will play an essential role in establishing the vital linkages to build a stronger comprehensive ecosystem with participation from multiple stakeholders, focusing on talent, skills and innovation. This is a crucial stepping stone to develop and enhance the coordination and promotion of the local industry, boosting domestic consumption and improving integration of stakeholders into the global value chain.” 
 
YB Datuk Darell also launched the Handbook of Malaysian Designers in Fashion, Textiles and Apparels produced by MIDA and partners during the event. The Handbook, which consists of over 400 designers in the country, will be a useful reference material for stakeholders to seek information and opportunities as well as a medium to promote products and services to both domestic and international business communities.

Dato’ Azman Mahmud, Chief Executive Officer of the Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA), said, “The Malaysian fashion retail industry is very dynamic, in line with the changing trends and evolving consumer demands. Looking at the upstream and downstream segments of the industry, a total of 1,195 textiles and apparels projects, worth RM12.6 billion have been successfully implemented within the country, as at December 2018. These projects have created over 155,000 job opportunities. For the first half of 2019, MIDA has approved an additional investment of RM94.4 million in 5 projects. Looking forward, the industry has ample room to grow and flourish.”
 
“The Government understands that moving up the value chain would require financial resources that might not be readily accessible to many local stakeholders. Therefore, various initiatives such as Pioneer Status, Investment Tax Allowance, Automation Capital Allowance and grants such as the Domestic Investment Strategic Fund (DISF) and Digital Transformation Acceleration Programme (DTAP) are provided to facilitate eligible companies to grow their businesses,” added Dato’ Azman.
 
The Government also provides facilities such as the Capital Allowance for ICT Equipment and Software, Bank Pembangunan Malaysia Berhad (BPMP)’s Industry Digitalisation Transformation Fund and MIDF’s Soft Loan Scheme for Automation and Modernisation (SLSAM) to assist companies in their digitalisation and automation journey.  More recently, the Budget 2020 provides matching grants for intelligent automation of business processes.  An allocation of incentives on patents and copyrights software for R&D activities undertaken within Malaysia is also provided under Budget 2020. This is to encourage industry players, including the Malaysian textiles and apparel companies to undertake higher value-added activities and to step up to the next level of development.

About MIDA
MIDA is the government's principal promotion agency under the Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI) to oversee and drive investments into the manufacturing and services sectors in Malaysia. Headquartered in Kuala Lumpur Sentral, MIDA has 12 regional and 20 overseas offices. MIDA continues to be the strategic partner to businesses in seizing the opportunities arising from the technology revolution of this era. For more information, please visit www.mida.gov.my and follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
 
About the event
The launching of FMFTA was organised by MIDA in partnership with the Malaysia Textile Manufacturers Association (MTMA), Malaysian Textile and Apparel Centre (MATAC), the Embassy of Sweden, Raffles College, UBCT, GGS System and Serba Dinamik Solution.
 
The Handbook of Malaysian Designers in Fashion, Textiles and Apparels is a compilation of over 400 local designers in the country, led by MIDA, in cooperation with Majlis Rekabentuk Malaysia (MDC), Kuala Lumpur Fashion Week (KLFW), Malaysian Footwear Manufacturers’ Association (MFMA), Malaysian Official Designers’ Association (MODA), Kraftangan Malaysia, Bumiputra Designers Association (BDA), P.W. Gold & Silver Ornament Merchants Association (PWGS), Majlis Amanah Rakyat (MARA), Perbadanan Kemajuan Kraftangan Malaysia and Bill Keith Asian Designers Guild (ADG).

Photos from the event can be downloaded here. 

SOURCE: Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA)

FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT: 
Name: Ms. Najihah Abas
Director, Building Technology & Lifestyle Division, MIDA
Tel: 03- 2267 6717
Email: najihah@mida.gov.my

--BERNAMA