The Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MOSTI) will issue special motor vehicle number plates to promote Mosti Commercialisation Year (MCY) 2014.

Its minister, Datuk Dr Ewon Ebin, said a total of 370 units of the special number plates would be issued once the Cabinet's approval was obtained.

"The numbers on each special plate will be preceded by '1MCY'. It also uses a global positioning system and light refractor material. However, MOSTI is still waiting for approval from the Cabinet to issue this special plate.

"Once approved, vehicle owners can start buying the special number plates at the Road Transport Department (JPJ) at a stipulated price," he told reporters after launching the MCY 2014 at Sirim headquarters here Thursday.

He said the number plates would only be issued this year as Mosti had no plan to continue issuing the plates after MCY 2014.

Meanwhile, Ewon said Mosti had set a target to commercialise at least 60 of its research and development (R&D) products each year.

With the target, he said the ministry was confident that over 360 innovative local products from various industries would be produced by 2020.

"Prior to this, we only aimed at commercialising 20 products each year, but by declaring the year 2014 as the Mosti Commercialisation Year, we hope the number will increase to 60," he said.