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Ahmadul Kobir, Kuala Lumpur: The National Innovation and Commercialisation Expo (NICE) 2026 opened in Kuala Lumpur on Thursday, with Malaysia seeking to accelerate the commercialisation of local innovations and take homegrown technologies to global markets.
Malaysian Prime Minister Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim inaugurated the three-day expo at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (KLCC) under the theme “Mission to the Market, Malaysia to the World.”
Organised by Malaysia’s Research Acceleration and Technology & Innovation (MRANTI) under the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MOSTI), NICE 2026 aims to strengthen the country’s innovation and commercialisation ecosystem and create greater opportunities for Malaysian technologies in international markets.
Addressing the opening ceremony, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said innovation must be further strengthened to accelerate economic growth, enhance national competitiveness and build a knowledge-based, forward-looking society.
He said advances in science, technology and artificial intelligence (AI) must go hand in hand with values, culture and humanity, in line with the aspirations of Malaysia MADANI.
Technological progress, he added, should be accompanied by greater attention to people’s well-being and the needs of society.
The Prime Minister stressed that while Malaysia must continue embracing the latest technological developments, it should not lose sight of the real challenges faced by its people.
He underscored the importance of pursuing technological advancement while remaining firmly grounded in the realities and needs of society.
Meanwhile, Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation Dato’ Chang Lih Kang said the government would continue strengthening its commitment to research and innovation through the Malaysia Plans (RMK).
The initiative would help Malaysia develop high-impact products and solutions and accelerate the country’s transition from simply producing goods “Made in Malaysia” to creating innovations that are genuinely “Made by Malaysia”, he said.
During the opening ceremony, Anwar presented several major awards and witnessed the exchange of several memoranda of understanding (MoUs), including one related to Malaysia’s participation in the International Vaccine Institute (IVI).
The organisers said NICE 2026 would help strengthen efforts to transform research into innovation and innovation into market-ready products.
The expo is also expected to boost the competitiveness of Malaysian technologies and innovations in international markets while fostering stronger links among researchers, businesses, investors and other stakeholders.
With its focus on commercialisation, NICE 2026 seeks to bridge the gap between research and the marketplace and position Malaysian innovation for greater global reach.