TUESDAY, 21 NOVEMBER 2017, KUALA LUMPUR: A mission spearheaded by Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE) to promote Malaysian companies in the aerospace industry took place from 12 to 16 November 2017 in conjunction with Dubai Airshow 2017 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE). The mission saw 10 Malaysian companies raking in potential sales valued at RM165.25 million.

The mission, called Export Acceleration Mission (EAM), was aimed at strengthening Malaysia’s position as the aerospace industry hub in Asia Pacific and to explore business opportunities for Malaysian companies through collaboration with international aerospace Tier 1 and Tier 2 vendors. The Malaysian expertise promoted at the EAM were engineering services, composite manufacturing, navigation and integration system, precision parts and components, maintenance repair and overhaul (MRO) services, human resource development and training.

The initiative was organised in an effort to boost the exports contribution from the local aerospace industry players. In the first nine months of 2017, aircraft and associated equipment generated the biggest exports contribution for the aerospace industry with a value of RM6.21 billion, recording a staggering increment of 51.5 per cent compared to the same period last year.

According to Madam Yuslinawati Mohd Yusof, Director of Transport and Logistics Section, MATRADE, the promotion of Malaysia’s aerospace industry is in line with the Government’s aspiration to accelerate the performance of high-value sectors in Malaysia. The aerospace industry has been identified as one of the key industries to push for this agenda. The aerospace industry was also identified as one of the catalytic sub-sector in the Eleventh Malaysia Plan (11MP).

“Malaysia has all the necessary ingredients to be a strong aerospace nation, equipped with world class infrastructure such as KLIA Aeropolis, Senai Airport Aviation Park and UMW Serendah High Value Manufacturing Park,” she said.

“Currently, Malaysia is home to more than 200 aerospace companies, who play a pivotal role in developing local supply chain,” she added.

In the Malaysia Aerospace Industry Blueprint, Malaysia is poised to be the number one aerospace centre in the South East Asia region. The industry is an integral part of the global economy and by the year 2030, the industry is set to generate an annual revenue of RM55.2 billion and create more than 32,000 high income jobs in Malaysia.

Dubai Airshow 2017 is one of the largest and well-known airshows in the world, bringing together industry players from all corners of the world.  Malaysia’s participation not only allowed local companies to tap into the opportunities in the Middle East region but in other parts of the world too.

During the EAM, MATRADE coordinated more than a hundred business meetings and networking sessions for the Malaysian companies with potential UAE’s and international aerospace companies. The meetings included the involvement of consortiums and trade associations and has served as a good platform for Malaysian aerospace industry players to connect with international buyers.

One of the participants, UMW Development, said that they were able engage with aerospace players among who included Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) and support service providers (logistics, tooling and others). This has opened up the doors for them to discuss partnerships and investment opportunities.

Other companies such as D'viation Solution was able to connect with potential partners in the MRO sector, training for skilled aviation personnel and R&D in Virtual and Augmented Reality (VR and AR) for advanced MRO. The company will also be signing an MoU on aviation training, a deal which value is estimated at RM5 million.

Malaysian companies in keen to venture abroad are urged to contact MATRADE by emailing to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and leverage on its 47 global trade offices around the world. The trade offices will provide strategic linkages for the local companies to connect with international buyers and partners in capturing global market shares.