SHAH ALAM, Feb 6 (Bernama) -- The Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MOSTI) is to organise innovation carnivals throughout the year to spur the culture of creativity and innovation in industry and the people.

Minister Datuk Seri Dr Maximus Ongkili said the carnivals would be held at the economic development corridors starting on Feb 27 and 28 with Perlis, which comes under the Northern Corridor Economic Region (NCER).

The carnivals are among 200 programmes to be carried out by 15 ministries, including MOSTI, in conjunction with the Malaysia Innovative 2010 campaign launched by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak last month, he said told news conference after CSL Manufacturing (M) Sdn Bhd's 10th anniversary celebrations here last night.

"Competition will be across the board with all types of innovation and creativity, including biotech. We are going to spend RM1 million just for the award for the whole year," he said.

Asked about the incentives to be given to creative and innovative companies, Dr Ongkili said the ministry was drafting the Malaysian Innovation Policy which would cover the types of incentives to be offered.

He said these companies should be given tax reduction as incentives to encourage them to come up with new products.

Although specific incentives were not yet available for innovative and creative companies, they could enjoy the existing tax incentives for companies newly set up, he said.

Dr Ongkili said creativity did not necessarily come in the form of technology, but could be in the form of content such as information and communication technology (ICT).

Citing an example, he said efforts to raise broadband penetration to 50 per cent by year-end would require preparation of infrastructure as well as attractive ICT content to lure local broadband users.

Commenting on reports that Malaysia's current position at 31 in the patent industry would drop, he expressed confidence that the position could be maintained although some quarters argued that it would be a challenge.