Malaysian Technology Development Corporation (MTDC) has held its Road to Growth (R2G) 2026 Southern outreach program following the Sabah edition concluded in July. The program was held with the Iskandar Regional Development Authority (IRDA) as Strategic Ecosystem Partner, providing businesses with access to industry insights, investment and commercialization pathways, advisory support, and potential strategic partners within Johor’s technology ecosystem.
Road to Growth (R2G) 2026 Southern Program
According to the Department of Statistics Malaysia, Johor recorded the highest economic growth among Malaysian states in 2025 at 8.0 percent, with the state’s GDP reaching RM170.9 billion. Johor remained the country’s third-largest contributor to gross domestic product, supported by its services, manufacturing, and construction sectors.
Johor’s industrial capabilities and position within the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone are expected to generate further opportunities in sectors including advanced manufacturing, aerospace, medical devices, artificial intelligence, and digital services. MTDC stated that realizing these opportunities requires technology companies to be commercially ready and connected to industry needs and investment access.
MTDC, which describes itself as Malaysia’s Deep Tech Enabler, supports technology companies through funding and investment facilitation, business advisory, commercialization support, capability development, and strategic partnerships. Ts. Hj. Mohammad Hazani Hj. Hassan, Group Chief Executive Officer of MTDC, said Johor’s industrial base and regional connectivity present opportunities for technology companies, though sustainable growth also requires access to markets, investment, and industry partnerships.
The program featured sharing sessions involving MTDC, IRDA, the Johor State Economic Planning Division (BPEN Johor), Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM), and other ecosystem partners. These sessions covered Johor’s economic and innovation landscape, technology commercialization, investment opportunities, talent development, and strategic partnerships.
A separate MySTI workshop featured representatives from the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MOSTI), MRANTI, and a MySTI-recognized company, covering technology validation, the MySTI recognition framework, government procurement opportunities, and market access pathways for locally developed technologies.
Pokdepinion: While the program offers structured access to Johor’s growing technology ecosystem, its long-term impact will depend on whether participating businesses can convert these connections into actual funding and commercial outcomes.
