Farnborough airshow likely to boost Malaysia’s aerospace industry

Malaysia External Trade Development Corp (Matrade) chairman Tan Sri Dr Halim Mohammad, who will lead the mission, said the Malaysian aerospace industry sees an encouraging prospect for business and operations this year as the Covid-19 pandemic is entering the endemic stage.

KUALA LUMPUR: The Farnborough International Airshow (FIA) 2022, a biennial trade show in Hampshire, England, for the aerospace and defence industries, will serve as a platform for bringing Malaysia’s aerospace industry to pre-pandemic levels and beyond, generating growth for a strong revival.

Malaysia External Trade Development Corp (Matrade) chairman Tan Sri Dr Halim Mohammad, who will lead the mission, said the Malaysian aerospace industry sees an encouraging prospect for business and operations this year as the Covid-19 pandemic is entering the endemic stage.

“The aerospace industry is a strategic industry and it augurs well for the government’s 12th Malaysia Plan to focus on the high value sector.

Matrade has been participating in the FIA bi-annual exhibition since 2014 and is taking the lead at FIA 2022 from July 18-22, to speed up the recovery of Malaysia’s industry following the slowdown in aerospace exports in recent years.

The FIA is attended by aerospace giants such as Airbus, Boeing, Embraer and Bombardier.

The goal in attending FIA is to demonstrate Malaysia’s current aerospace eco-system, while fostering industrial ties with original equipment manufacturers and tier 1 and tier 2 suppliers from across the world.

A total of 14 Malaysian companies and three government agencies will take part in the five-day event organised by Matrade, under the Malaysia Pavilion.

The National Aerospace Industry Coordination Office, Malaysian Investment Development Authority, Bumiputera Agenda Steering Unit and Invest Selangor Bhd will collaborate with Matrade to organise Malaysia’s participation in the event, with the aim of promoting Malaysia as South-East Asia’s aerospace industry hub and exploring opportunities for technology development as well as partnerships with foreign companies to enhance Malaysian companies’ capabilities.

“The industry has created jobs for more than 27,500 highly skilled workers. Malaysia’s expertise and strength in the aerospace industry revolve around maintenance, repair and operations services, and manufacturing of aero-structures as well as engine components,” said Halim.

Malaysia’s exports of aerospace parts and components totalled RM5.79bil in 2021. The major export markets were France, China and the United Kingdom. — Bernama