Germans Wants More Scientific Cooperation With Malaysia

From Alan Ting

STUTTGART, Nov 16 (Bernama) -- The German state of Baden-Wurttemberg wants to

enlarge scientific cooperation between it and Malaysia, especially in the field of
production technology.

State minister for Science, Research and Arts, Prof Dr Peter Frankenberg said, this
particulary involves universities and industries on both sides, as German small and
medium enterprises (SMEs) - better known as "mittelstand" - are seeking more partners
in Asia for this purpose.

"The main focus is a joint effort in a new production technology called the factory of the
future," he told visiting Malaysian and Singapore journalists', ahead of the state trade
mission to Malaysia, Singapore and Vietnam.

The 150-member trade delegation, led by the state Minister President Stefan Mappus,
will be in Kuala Lumpur on Wednesday and Thursday to promote Baden-Wurttemberg's
high production technology.

"It's a mixed delegation, mostly with science background, as we want to enlarge our
scientific cooperation. We expect to sign a new agreement to link our scientific
partnership," Frankenberg said.

Many German companies have research and development facilities in Malaysia and
Singapore, through collaboration with local research partners. But this is mostly limited
to the medium and large companies.

"Singapore and Malaysia are a must for German industries. We have been traditional
partners with Malaysia and many German companies in Singapore are also linked to the
country.

"That's why we are looking to expand this cooperation," he explained.

Frankenberg said Baden-Wurttemberg is also keen to enlarge cooperation in the field of

higher education as the state has more than 70 universities and 100 research facilities,
the largest in Germany.

"Our companies in Malaysia have engineers trained in Germany. We are working to

expand this through the student exchange programme, which is vital for our companies
in future," he said.

German industries, particulary the SMEs, are looking for reliable partners, including
those who are the main producers of different kind of commodities.

"This is very vital for us. For example, we can cooperate in the raw battery technology to
replace the conventional engine. Malaysia is rich in oil and gas and both sides can further
cooperate in technology development as well as to train better engineers," Frankenberg
highlighted.

The state of Baden-Wurttemberg, located southwest of Germany, is famous for

technology, research and innovation with names such as Robert Bosch, Carl Benz and
Gottlieb Daimler, being known worldwide.

A number of well-known enterprises such Daimler AG, Porsche, Robert Bosch GmbH
(automobile industry), Carl Zeiss AG (optics), and SAP AG (largest software enterprise in
Europe)are also headquartered in the state.

-- BERNAMA