Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2019, KUALA LUMPUR: Efforts to promote Malaysian aerospace companies capabilities in the aerospace sector at Aeromart Nagoya, Japan was a huge success with Malaysian companies generating over RM219 million of export value following the 86 business matchings organised by Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE) through its Japan’s trade office.

The mission to Aeromart Nagoya, which started from 24 until 26 September 2019, saw Malaysian companies receiving positive interests from both the Japanese companies and big global names too. Among them include Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Toyota Tsusho and Airbus, among others.

The potential export sales are in the areas of Malaysia’s strengths namely aircraft parts and assembling, wing parts and components as well as services such as airline education and trainings, aviation support and solution. On top of this, Malaysian companies also reported negotiations in projects with the Japanese companies valued at RM376.9 million, in industries such as machining of engine parts, die-casting and forging, wing and other aircraft parts.

According to MATRADE’s Chief Executive Officer, Dato’ Wan Latiff Wan Musa, Japan is an important aerospace hub in the region and the market is prone to creating new supply chain opportunities and partnerships. “Nagoya is the capital city of Aichi Prefecture – Japan’s largest Aerospace Industrial Cluster. Currently, the production value of Japanese Aerospace Industries is valued at USD20 billion (RM83.6 billion) with 83 per cent coming from the aircraft sector. This offers a huge prospect for Malaysian companies as they are able to offer high quality products or services that are competitively priced,” Wan Latiff said.

MATRADE Tokyo office Trade Commissioner Niqman Rafaee Mohd Sahar said, “Over the years, we observed that there is a growing interest among the Japanese companies to collaborate and establish partnerships with Malaysian companies in meeting the global demand and deliveries of new airplanes by major makers such as Airbus, Boeing, MRJ (Mitsubishi Space Jets) and others. As Malaysia’s Trade Promotion Organisation, MATRADE plays a major role in connecting local companies with the Japanese and other global clients.”

Apart from the business matching, MATRADE also arranged additional roundtable meetings and discussion with Aerospace Clusters in Japan to engage and discuss new partnerships and opportunities. Kawasaki Gifu Cooperative Society (KAWAKYO), which consists of 22 main suppliers and manufacturers of aircrafts parts and components, also hosted a networking session for the Malaysian delegation to establish collaboration and business linkages. Multiple industry visits to Japanese aerospace counterpart headquarters also took place.

The mission to Aeromart Nagoya was supported by Malaysia Aerospace Industry Association (MAIA), an association incepted through MATRADE’s facilitation in 2015. During the mission, MAIA did a briefing on Malaysia’s aerospace industry and capabilities to the global industry players to provide an overview on Malaysia’s vibrant aerospace sector.

Niqman added, initiatives to promote Malaysia’s aerospace companies must be tailored according to the Japanese buyers’ needs. “MATRADE has been in Japan since the early 90’s and we have gathered enough insights to understand the behavior of the Japanese buyers. The Japanese take pride in trust when doing business. As a Government agency, we are able to assist Malaysian companies with this and help remove the barrier for Malaysian companies to approach their target buyers in Japan,” Niqman shared.