Toshiba Medical Systems Corp (TMSC) is investing US$17 million (RM54.43 million) to bring its entire Japanese manufacturing base of diagnostic imaging to Malaysia which is due to be operational by December 2014.

Toshiba Asia Pacific Pte Ltd corporate VP Fumio Otani said Malaysia’s first diagnostic imaging systems manufacturing base will be Toshiba’s third manufacturing base outside Japan, and first in South East Asia region, following the bases in China and Brazil.

“We are moving the production of the diagnostic ultrasound systems and printed wiring board in Malaysia as we are looking to a more centralised base that can cater to the demand from all around the world.

“Our production facility in Japan will stop manufacturing these devices. China and Brazil will produce other healthcare devices from December onwards. Malaysia has the advantage of skilled workers in this area and offers a lot of government qualification programme that is different from the other region,” he told reporters at the Asean Power Week exhibition in Kuala Lumpur yesterday.

In June, TMSC had established a new manufacturing company as a wholly owned subsidiary, Toshiba Medical Systems Manufacturing Asia chain. In addition, with its mature semiconductor and automotive industries, Malaysia should be an excellent location for procurement of parts,” TMSC said.

It said the Malaysian government is also strongly promoting innovation in order to join the ranks of the developed countries by 2020.

“Healthcare has been designated as one of the main economic development programmes, and various policy initiatives are currently in progress.

“By playing an active role in this economic development plan, Toshiba will work hard to contribute to the development of the healthcare and the medical equipment industry Malaysia,” it said.

source:The Malaysian Reserve