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20 Years of Bioeconomy Corporation Contribute RM39.9 Billion to Malaysia’s GDP

Putrajaya, 7 January 2026 – The Malaysian Bioeconomy Development Corporation (Bioeconomy Corporation) has contributed RM39.9 billion to Malaysia’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) over the past 20 years, cementing its role as a key driver of the nation’s biotechnology and bio-based industries.

Established following the introduction of the National Biotechnology Policy (NBP) in 2005 and strengthened under National Biotechnology Policy 2.0 (NBP 2.0) launched in 2022, Bioeconomy Corporation operates under the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MOSTI) to spearhead Malaysia’s bioeconomy growth.

Through its two flagship programmes, BioNexus Status and the Bio-based Accelerator (BBA), Bioeconomy Corporation has facilitated over RM14.6 billion in approved investments, generated more than 16,600 jobs nationwide, and supported nearly 650 BioNexus Status and BBA companies.

Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Chang Lih Kang, said Bioeconomy Corporation’s 20-year milestone reflects the government’s continued confidence in the agency to lead Malaysia’s bioeconomy towards global competitiveness.  

He highlighted that in 2025 alone, estimated investment and commercial value that was captured under Bioeconomy Corporation’s facilitation increased from RM1.55 billion in 2024 to over RM2.44 billion, representing nearly 60% growth.

“With the support of MOSTI, Bioeconomy Corporation continues to drive progress under NBP 2.0, with the aspiration of positioning Malaysia as a high-technology bioinnovation nation by 2030.  “These achievements are the result of Bioeconomy Corporation’s expertise, experience, and executional strength built over its 20 years of establishment.

“We are confident that even greater value will be achieved in the coming years, particularly as the organisation sharpens its focus over the next five years on six high-value, high-growth sub-sectors: next-generation proteins, regenerative propagation, sustainable materials, bio-based chemicals, regenerative medicine and precision diagnostics,” stated Tuan Chang Lih Kang, adding that this strategic direction supports the Thirteenth Malaysia Plan (2026–2030), contributing to economic growth through blue, green and silver economy initiatives.

Chief Executive Officer of Bioeconomy Corporation, En. Mohd Khairul Fidzal Abdul Razak, attributes the organisation’s accomplishments to strong support from MOSTI and close collaborations with local and international ministries, agencies, industry players, academia, and other partners across the bioeconomy ecosystem.

“In 2026, we aim to generate at least RM2.2 billion in revenue from BioNexus Status and BBA companies. In line with the MADANI Government’s priorities, we will also explore the adoption of digital and AI-enabled solutions to help companies scale and accelerate their growth more efficiently,” he said.

He added that the convergence of AI across agriculture, healthcare and industrial bioeconomy sectors will strengthen food security, advance healthcare innovation, support the circular economy, and unlock new economic opportunities.

Since 2005, Bioeconomy Corporation has nurtured companies from local growth to global expansion by providing end-to-end support in investment promotion, SME and talent development, market access, and funding facilitation. Its initiatives align with the National Science, Technology and Innovation Policy (NSTIP) 2021–2030, supporting Malaysia’s ambition to become a high-tech, innovation-driven nation by 2030.

Over the past five years, more than 560 industry players were trained to strengthen regulatory and tax compliance, talent management, and funding access. Other key milestones include the creation of Malaysia’s first biotechnology unicorn in 2024 and enabling 18 BioNexus Status companies to achieve public listings on local and international markets, including New York Stock Exchange, London Stock Exchange and Australian Securities Exchange.

Since 2021, over 1,900 job opportunities were offered through its BeST 2.0 programme, with local STI talents securing a 91% employment rate in the bio-based and biotechnology industries.

As Bioeconomy Corporation marks its 20th anniversary in 2025, these achievements underscore two decades of impact in empowering communities, creating high-value jobs, and positioning the bioeconomy as a key pillar of Malaysia’s sustainable development.

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