MPRC Should Take Stronger Role To Help OGSE Companies Expand Globally -- Akmal Nasrullah

PUTRAJAYA, June 8 (Bernama) -- The Malaysia Petroleum Resources Corporation (MPRC) should take a stronger leadership role in helping Malaysian oil and gas services and equipment (OGSE) companies expand beyond the domestic market and build long-term industry resilience, according to Minister of Economy Akmal Nasrullah Mohd Nasir.

The minister said that recent geopolitical developments in West Asia have shown the importance of preparing the OGSE industry to face uncertainty while positioning local companies to capture new opportunities when recovery and rebuilding efforts begin.

“The geopolitical crisis in West Asia is a reminder that our OGSE industry must be ready for uncertainty. But at the same time, when recovery and rebuilding begin, new opportunities will emerge.

“Malaysian OGSE companies must be ready to move early, compete confidently and deliver value beyond our shores,” he said in a statement today.

Akmal Nasrullah made the call during the National OGSE Industry Blueprint 2021-2030 Implementation Steering Committee Meeting, which he chaired today.

The meeting reviewed the progress of the blueprint’s implementation and discussed measures to strengthen the competitiveness of Malaysian OGSE companies in international markets.

He said MPRC, as the Ministry of Economy’s agency responsible for the OGSE industry development, plays an important role in coordinating and accelerating efforts to help Malaysian companies enter and grow in overseas markets.

“We must reduce over-reliance on domestic business and position our local OGSE players to capture opportunities in West Asia and other growth markets.

"MPRC should lead this effort for the OGSE industry, not only in coordination but also in implementation and tracking real progress on the ground,” he stressed.

Akmal Nasrullah added that while various initiatives are already in place to support Malaysian companies expanding abroad, MPRC should serve as the lead agency for the sector in building capacity, opening market access and helping companies translate overseas opportunities into actual business outcomes.

He also said the National OGSE Industry Blueprint 2021-2030 remains a key policy framework for strengthening the competitiveness, resilience, and international presence of Malaysia’s OGSE industry.

Meanwhile, MPRC president and chief executive officer Mohd Yazid Ja’afar said the corporation has continued to facilitate collaborations and strategic partnerships among Malaysian OGSE companies through initiatives such as the MPRC Regional Champions Programme (RCP), the OGSE Strategic Partnership Support Programme and the Growth Beyond OGSE (GBO) Programme.

He said these initiatives aim to strengthen the industry’s competitiveness to undertake projects abroad while exploring opportunities in energy transition sectors adjacent to the traditional oil and gas industry.

“These efforts also support the country’s energy security, affordability and sustainability goals, particularly as global industries seek to build resilience amid increasingly volatile and uncertain conditions,” he said.

Regarding the implementation of the OGSE Blueprint, Mohd Yazid said more than RM77.2 million in revenue had been generated from projects commercialised under the OGSE Development Grant (OGSE DG) since 2021.

First introduced in April 2021, the grant has been renewed under the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP), offering a 70:30 matching grant of up to RM250,000 until 2030 to help local OGSE small and medium enterprises and mid-tier companies adopt technology, drive innovation and increase exports.

As of May 31, 2026, more than 600 OGSE companies had been facilitated in export growth, technology development, access to financing, and strategic partnerships under the OGSE Blueprint.

More than 500 OGSE talents have also been trained and upskilled in critical industry sectors, while over RM2 billion in export sales has been generated through programmes organised by the Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE).

-- BERNAMA