On Dec 8, Multimedia Development Corporation (MDeC), the driver of MSC Malaysia’s National ICT Initiative, honoured 64 MSC-status companies that achieved global standards certification this year.

Deputy Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation Haji Fadillah Haji Yusof and MDeC CEO Datuk Badlisham Ghazali presented the companies with letters of recognition at the MSC Malaysia Achievement Event 2009 (AE09) gala ceremony in Kuala Lumpur.

Among the global certifications achieved by the 64 companies are the CMMI (Capability Maturity Model Integration), the ISO 20000 (Information Technology Service Management), the ISO 27001 (Information Security Management System), Software Testing, Six Sigma and Professional Development.

The certifications were earned through participation in the MSC Malaysia Capability Development Programme (CDP). Companies honoured at the AE09 included those that had sent their personnel for on-going skills and knowledge education under the MSC Malaysia CDP Professional Development.

Describing 2009 as “a tough year for business”, Badlisham said despite intense pressure to control costs, MSC Malaysia-status companies have continued to invest in raising their competitiveness through adopting global best practices. “In 2008, companies that had participated in MSC Malaysia CDP programmes achieved 93% growth in export sales. This is an increase from the 2007 figure of 79.18%,” said Badlisham.

Next year, the CDP will introduce new programmes focusing on intellectual property as well as expanding the current MSC Malaysia CDP marketing programme to look into aspects of product and service commercialisation. MSC Malaysia CDP will also introduce the Product Assessment Framework and MSC Malaysia Product Rating Standard. “Together, these initiatives seek to promote the development of quality products among MSC Malaysia Status companies,” added Badlisham.



This article appeared in Manager@Work, the monthly management pullout of The Edge Malaysia, Issue 786, Dec 21 - Dec 6, 2009.