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The Malaysian Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living has introduced two initiatives aimed at enhancing intellectual property (IP) commercialization. The first initiative is a fund to assist local companies in covering the expenses associated with professional IP valuation services. The fund, with a pilot allocation of RM1 million, was introduced today by the ministry's minister, Armizan Mohd Ali, through the Malaysian Intellectual Property Corporation (MyIPO).

Ali emphasized the importance of this fund for technology-based startups and small to medium-sized enterprises that struggle to secure financing due to the lack of traditional physical collateral. The second initiative is the first-ever IP valuation module developed by MyIPO. This module will establish uniform valuation standards and aid in training qualified and regulated local IP valuation experts.

Ali explained that these two initiatives would work together to create a more structured IP-backed financing ecosystem. The fund would facilitate companies in obtaining IP valuation services, while the module would bolster the capacity, expertise, and standards required for the valuation process. The two initiatives were launched alongside the National Intellectual Property Commercialisation Conference and Exhibition (IP Confex) 2026, which took place at the World Trade Centre Kuala Lumpur.

The conference, held yesterday and today, gathered over 500 participants, including industry professionals, financial institutions, researchers, innovators, and government agencies. IP Confex 2026 also saw the signing of memoranda of understanding between MyIPO and six organizations, including the World Intellectual Property Organisation, Multimedia University, the Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation, National Entrepreneurship Institute, Perbadanan Nasional Bhd, and the Malaysia Motorcycle and Scooter Assemblers and Distributors Association.

Ali stated that these strategic collaborations would strengthen MyIPO's network of international and local organizations, educational institutions, trade and entrepreneurship development agencies, as well as industry players. He highlighted that these efforts would support the sharing of expertise, capacity-building, and the expansion of local intellectual property commercialization.

The minister concluded by emphasizing the ministry's ongoing commitment, through MyIPO, to harness intellectual property as a catalyst for commercialization, financing, and economic growth.