[This is a press release by the National Technology & Innovation Sandbox (NTIS).]
The National Technology and Innovation Sandbox (NTIS) has been selected as a champion at the World Summit on Information Society Awards (WSIS) 2026 in Geneva, under Section 14: Line of Action 7: IE-science.
An annual global awards program, the WSIS Awards celebrate outstanding digital and ICT-based initiatives that advance the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The competition is organized by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and highlights success stories from the government, private sector, civil society and academia.
Section 14: Line of Action 7: IE-sciencefocuses on the use of information and communication technologies (ICTs) to advance scientific research, facilitate open data sharing, and foster global cooperation to achieve the SDGs.
The win reinforces Malaysia’s position as a regional leader in innovation and marks the nation’s strategic shift to a dynamic “living lab” model, bridging the gap between innovation and market readiness.
Led by the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MOSTI) with MRANTI as lead secretary, NTIS has evolved since 2020 from a pilot initiative into a pillar of the Malaysian ecosystem.
Lolu hlelo luhlinzeka ngenkundla ehlelekile yabacwaningi kanye nabaqalayo ukuze baqinisekise ubuchwepheshe obukhula kakhulu, baqinisekise ukuthi bayathobelana nokulawula futhi buyasebenza kwezohwebo. Building on the foundational achievements of the 12th Malaysia Program (RMK-12), the NTIS program continues to accelerate its momentum in the 13th Malaysia Program (RMK-13).
As of 2020, NTIS has facilitated over R171.8 million in commercial value, approved R147 million in funding for 147 projects, created 388 high-paying jobs, generated R122.8 million in export value, and acquired 39 new Intellectual Property.
Given the success, YBhg. Dato’ Ts. Dr. Nagulendran Kangayatkarasu, Secretary General of MOSTI said, “This success shows our commitment to increase the competitiveness of domestic technology companies. NTIS will continue to serve as an important platform, to face the challenges faced by local start-ups and to increase the volume of new products sold, thus reducing dependence on foreign technology and strengthening domestic capabilities.”
Who agrees with this feeling is Mr. Ashran Dato’ Ghazi, CEO of MRANTI, “Being recognized as a WSIS Champion confirms Malaysia’s progress with NTIS. We have shown that with the right ecosystem, regulatory support, and partnerships, promising technologies can go from research to real-world deployment for global companies, successful organizations, managed by the ecosystem. This model is possible.”
The success of this program is supported by a multi-agency collaborative framework led by MRANTI as lead secretary, along with MTDC partners, and other MIMOS and Futurise secretaries.
Together, these organizations play a complementary role in strengthening regulatory readiness, technology validation, commercialization and ecosystem connectivity, allowing Malaysian innovation to progress more effectively from development to market.
Building on this strong foundation, NTIS is now entering its next phase with the Global Testbed & Sandbox Alliance (GTSA), expanding its focus beyond national deployments to larger international partnerships.
The program strengthens cross-border partnerships and regulatory harmonies, enabling Malaysian innovators to scale solutions across ASEAN and global markets while communicating directly with UN organizations, international policy makers and innovation initiatives.
- Learn more about the NTIS program here.
- Read the articles we have written about business in Malaysia here.
Featured Image Credit: MRANTI
