KUALA LUMPUR: Sharp Electronics (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd is making a foray into business-to-business (B2B) and business-to-government (B2G) for both its products and solutions in the country.
Sharp head of president’s office and Asean chief executive officer Yoshihiro Hashimoto said the move would help various industries gain a wider perspective of the benefits of its innovations.
He said Sharp was also keen to expand its business in domestic market, leveraging on its application of innovative technologies for home, business and education sectors.
“We consider Malaysia as an important market for us in terms of manufacturing base for the global market and sales activity, particularly for exports,” Hashimoto said at a press briefing on “Sharp Smart Connected 2020 Conference” here yesterday.
Deputy International Trade and Industry Minister Dr Ong Kian Ming said digital transformation had taken the world by storm with the adoption of Industry 4.0.
“Malaysia too is hard at work with concerted effort in enhancing our digital infrastructure to accommodate higher speeds of connectivity and efficiency.
“The success of Malaysia’s digital transformation is dependent on collaborative effort by both the public and private sector,” he said.
Ong said consumers’ taste on television set continued to evolve overtime with the latest 8K and 5G technology.
“It is also important to grow not only in business-to-customer sector but also B2B and B2G sector. I look forward to Sharp’s technologies and innovation products that can be used by the government, particularly in the area of education,” he said.
Sharp Electronics Malaysia managing director Robert Wu said it was critical and important timing for the company to grow its business here in light of the ongoing US-China trade war.
“We have plenty of opportunities with potential investments in Malaysia. We are currently in talks with the government on our future plans and we have already signed a non disclosure agreement with the government,” he said.
Wu said Sharp would apply its cutting edge technology locally for both consumer based electronics products and manufacturing based in Malaysia.
“We have innovative and transformation technologies such as 8K resolution display, artificial intelligence of things (AIoT) and 5G network based on industrial revolution 4.0, will be the way (manufacturing) for us to do in Malaysia,” he added.
Sharp Electronics Malaysia currently employs over 4,000 locals at its three existing facilities in Shah Alam, Selangor, Batu Pahat in Johor Bahru and Sungai Petani, Kedah.
Among Sharp’s home appliances products are television, fridge, air purifier, air conditioner, microwave, oven and washing machine.
Meanwhile, the conference showcased the application of technology in a complete ecosystem with the preview of Malaysia’s first 8K + 5G lab by Sharp.
The lab, once built, will serve as an education hub for the industry and institutions of education, immersing visitors in a complete 8K technology ecosystem.