Tuesday, May 19, 2009

600 inventions and ideas on show

MORE than 600 inventions and ideas in 24 industry categories were on display at the International Invention, Innovation and Technology Exhibition 09 at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre recently.

The three-day exhibition, organised by Malaysian Invention & Design Society (Minds), has been an annual affair since 1989.

Minds president Tan Sri Professor Emeritus Dr Augustine S.H. Ong said the exhibition was the marketplace for new ideas, inventions and innovations, and a bridge between interested investors, venture capitalists and manufacturers and the inventors, in the interest of commercialising their inventions.

“It opens the opportunity for all to network, build business opportunities as well as exchange knowledge.

“And, for a better understanding of intellectual property (IP), there is also an area at the exhibition where a panel of IP experts offer guidance on how to protect your invention,” he said in his speech during the opening ceremony.

Ong said the growth of inventive activities in Malaysia had been encouraging.

“In 1989, the inaugural exhibition showcased only 50 Malaysian inventions but in this year’s exhibition, the number of exhibitions exceeds 600,” he said.

Participants and delegates to the exhibition included those from Malaysia, Thailand, Hong Kong, Taiwan, South Korea, Iran and Saudi Arabia.

“The number of successful inventors who manage to penetrate the commercial market takes time to grow. Over the past 20 years, 5% of the exhibitors have managed to bridge the gap to commercialism.

“The idea is to create more and more ideas so the chances of success are higher,” he said.

Deputy Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Fadillah Yusof launched the exhibition and toured the floor to view the creations. - the Star

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