By Danial Dzulkifly
KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 29 — Selangor has inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with tech conglomerate Siemens Malaysia (Siemens) for its technology advisory and consultancy services, marking a significant step in the state government’s efforts to digitalise and enhance its services.
Menteri Besar Dato’ Seri Amirudin Shari said Siemens’ capabilities, expertise, and technology could help the state administration in improving the quality of life for Selangor citizens.
“As a state with a rapidly growing population, now exceeding seven million people, we must address current job requirements while fostering economic dynamism to meet future needs.
“This collaboration will delve into key high-impact, high-growth areas that Selangor is focusing on, including participation in the construction of the third port in Pulau Carey, which will be fully digitalised.
“It also aims to expand the potential of the digital economy, establish a fully digital government system, and pivot towards aerospace, especially in private and business travel,” he said during the MoU signing ceremony at the Renaissance Kuala Lumpur Hotel & Convention Centre, here yesterday.
The MoU signifies a strategic partnership aimed at exploring opportunities for the development and support of digital transformation initiatives in the state.
Deputy State Secretary Dato’ Johary Anuar and Siemens Malaysia president and chief executive officer Tindaro Danze signed the MoU, witnessed by Amirudin and Siemens AG president and chief executive officer Roland Busch.
Amirudin also highlighted the existing partnership between the state administration and Siemens for the training of a skilled workforce through collaboration with the Selangor Technical Skills Development Centre (STDC), aligning with the requirements of the Fourth Industrial Revolution (IR 4.0).
“To date, this partnership has provided 700 professionals with official certification from Siemens after completing courses in digital and automated manufacturing.
“By enhancing this collaboration today, we will not only address the needs of the industry but also anticipate the demands of future workforce.
“This will include support services for development, increasing the skills of workers in industries outlined in the First Selangor Plan or RS-1, focusing on technical and vocational education and training (TVET), such as TVET education, manufacturing, transportation, agrotechnology, and engineering,” he said.
Meanwhile, during a press conference following the MoU signing, Danze expressed Siemens’ readiness to assist Selangor in tackling complex issues such as increasing crop yields and managing non-revenue water.
“We can assist the state in various areas, for example, in water treatment, where we can address non-revenue water issues and enhance digitalisation efforts.
“Additionally, we are interested in exploring opportunities in agriculture, thinking outside the box to improve agricultural productivity,” he added.
On November 1, 2021, STDC entered into a partnership with Siemens Malaysia to produce skilled workforce in IR 4.0 and strengthen the state government’s efforts to develop industrial workers through the Smart Selangor Technical and Professional Skills Initiative (Iktisass), which was introduced in 2018.
