The expansion of Malaysia’s textile industry gathered speed in the 1970s when the nation started export-oriented industrialisation. Last year, exports were worth Ringgit Malaysia (RM) 10.49 billion, and imports were worth RM 5.46 billion. About 70, 000 people are employed in the textile industry.
At present, the industry includes a wide variety of integrated activities like texturizing, spinning, polymerization, weaving, dyeing, knitting, etc. The industry also encompasses the manufacture of made-up garments and non-woven fabrics.
Malaysia’s textile industry has the capability to expand into a developed industry cluster. This can be attained by-
- Moving up the value chain.
- Developing inventive local fashion designs with brand names.
- Promoting product development through R&D in the fields of printing, dyeing, and finishing.
- Developing new yarns, fibres, industrial, and home textiles.
- Enhancing productivity through automation, flexible manufacturing, and technical competence.
- Developing a competent global distribution and marketing network.
- Reinforcing overall connections.
New expansion areas in textile industry have been aimed for promotion under the third Industrial Master Plan (IMP3). The expansion areas comprise; ethnic fabrics, high-end fabrics and garments, industrial and home textiles, functional fabrics, and support facilities and services such as specialized dyeing and finishing facilities, design houses and fashion centres, etc.
Six planned drives have been put in place for further development of the industry during the IMP3 period. These are:
- Increasing the endorsement of investment in higher value-added textiles
- Sustaining the textile market share and endorsing exports of the targeted growth areas
- Increasing local integration of the industry
- Improving domestic capabilities and assisting the utilisation of Information and Communications Technologies (ICT) and new technologies
- Improving the skills of the workforce in designing production and marketing
- Reinforcing the institutional support for further industrial development
Last Updated on: 18-11-2009
