JOHOR should focus on niche areas in the maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) sector instead of competing directly with established hubs.
State investment, trade, consumer affairs and human resources committee chairman Lee Ting Han said Johor should complement activities of established MRO hubs like Subang and Singapore, instead of trying to rival them.
“We have good opportunity to attract world-class companies to set up their manufacturing facilities and produce MRO-related components in Johor,” he said after the opening of EcoCeres Inc’s first sustainable fuel plant at Tanjung Langsat industrial area in Pasir Gudang, by Plantation and Commodities Minister Datuk Seri Dr Noraini Ahmad.
Lee said Subang was already far ahead in the MRO segment, while neighbouring Singapore had cemented a strong footing in the sector.
“Each of them has their own strengths built over the years, and Johor needs to look at other areas,” he said.
Johor already has a European company producing titanium plates for the aviation sector, he noted, while another company producing superalloys for aircraft components would soon set up its manufacturing facility in the state.
Lee said the way forward was for Johor to attract more companies producing materials for MRO parts and components for aviation firms worldwide.
“We have the right ecosystem to attract foreign investors involved in MRO and aviation- related activities to set up their operations here,” he highlighted.
Lee said that while MRO often referred to asset maintenance, it could also cover supplies and consumable items needed to keep a factory running, such as tools, safety gear and spare parts.
“We want to position Johor as the main producer of spare parts and components for MRO-related activities and the aviation sector.”
On a separate matter, he said the blueprint for the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ) was expected to be launched by end-March.
“We have instructed the consultant to engage with more companies for feedback, as prior sessions focused more on government agencies and departments,” said Lee.
