KUALA LUMPUR, July 12 — The Farnborough International Airshow (FIA) 2022, a biennial trade show 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 Corporation (MATRADE) chairman Tan Sri Dr Halim Mohammad, who will lead the mission, said the Malaysian aerospace industry sees an encouraging prospect for their business and operation this year as the COVID-19 pandemic is entering the endemic stage.
“The aerospace industry is a strategic industry and it augurs well with the government’s 12th Malaysia Plan to focus on high value sector.
“MATRADE is always committed to generate more opportunities for Malaysian aerospace companies to capitalise on the demand of global aerospace market,” he said in a statement today.
MATRADE has been participating in the FIA bi-annual exhibition since 2014 and is taking the lead in organising an aerospace mission and Malaysia’s participation at FIA 2022 from July 18-22, 2022 to speed up the recovery of Malaysia’s aerospace 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 (OEMs) 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 (NAICO), Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA), Bumiputera Agenda Steering Unit (TERAJU), and Invest Selangor Bhd will collaborate with MATRADE to organise Malaysia’s participation in the event, with the aim of promoting Malaysia as Southeast 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 (MRO) services, and manufacturing of aero-structures as well as engine components,” said Halim.
Malaysia’s exports of aerospace parts and components totalled RM5.79 billion in 2021. Major export markets were France, China and the United Kingdom.