He said the roadmap could help to reduce dependence on foreign manpower and minimise the outflow of foreign exchange.

Under the plan, the government is targeting to increase the intensity of robot usage from 55 units per 10,000 workers in 2019 to 195 units per 10,000 workers by 2030, he said in a statement.

Ismail said the proposed roadmap was among the decisions reached at a meeting of the National Digital Economy and Fourth Industrial Revolution Council, its first for the year.

The meeting, attended virtually by the relevant ministers and heads of departments and agencies, also endorsed the catalytic projects concept to drive the MyDigital aspirations.

Towards this end, Ismail said it was decided at the meeting that a task force would be set up to select and monitor suitable projects via a public-private partnership model.

He said the catalytic projects would be financed by the private sector while the government would play the role of a facilitator.

The projects to be implemented under this concept, he said, include smart medicine and the setting up of hospitals using 5G technology and Smart City.

Ismail said those present were also briefed on the progress of the National Digital Network Plan (Jendela), where from September 2020 to December 2021 a total of 1.89 million new premises came under fibre optics coverage and 1,189 new 4G towers were built.

During the same period, 95% of populated areas were given 4G coverage, he said.