LANGKAWI (May 23): The Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry (Miti) said Malaysia will venture into aerospace grade material production for the global market, as well as into becoming a critical supplier of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) in the long run.

Deputy Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Liew Chin Tong said Miti would continue to support other segments of the aerospace industry, such as the development of locally assembled seaplane and commercial drones for various operations.

“This will not only reduce our importation of aerospace related equipment but will expand our exports other than parts and components for commercial aircraft,” he said during the launch of Malaysia Aerospace Centre of Excellence (MyAero Centre) and AS9100 certification by SIRIM QAS at the Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition 2023 (Lima’23).

During the event, Liew also witnessed nine exchanges of documents involving Miti agencies, industry players and aerospace cluster developer.

“The collaborations focus on SAF, technical and vocational education and training (TVET) and professional development, research and technology, local supply chain enhancement, aerospace quality certification, as well as seaplane ecosystem development.

“It is our hope that Malaysia will continue to become the preferred destination for strategic partnership and collaboration, investments and contract outsourcing.

“Miti and its agencies are committed to facilitate business activities in Malaysia and will assist potential investors and partners to implement any investment projects, in accordance with the specific timeline set by the investors,” he said.

Liew also said that the development of a conducive ecosystem is vital in attracting more high quality aerospace investments to Malaysia, and to spur domestic direct investment.

“Apart from strengthening the local supply chain, a strategic implementation plan is required to ensure high-skilled talents are continuously developed based on the recent industry needs,” he said.

On the newly launched MyAERO Centre, he said the centre would be a platform to promote strategic partnerships between local parties and global players and relevant organisations, wherein partners will be able to explore opportunities to improve market access and new business areas.

“Meanwhile, in order to support the requirements from local players to be AS9100 certified organisations, recently, SIRIM QAS has been accredited by the United Kingdom Accreditation Service (Ukas) as a Certification Body for the Aerospace QMS Scheme,” he noted.

He said the SIRIM QAS’ accreditation as a AS9100 certification body was timely, in response to the rapid expansion of Malaysia’s aerospace industry ecosystem as the leader in quality system in the country.

Among the documents exchanged were of SIRIM and Aerospace Malaysia Innovation Centre (Amic) on the development of microalgae oil as SAF; of Malaysian Industrial Development Fund Bhd and Amic on Certificate of SAF Project Implementation; of Amic, Petronas Research Sdn Bhd and Sarawak Economic Development Corporation Energy on the SAF ecosystem, infrastructure, and commercial SAF plant; as well as of NAICO Malaysia and Technological Association Malaysia on aerospace professional and TVET development.

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