Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2016, KUALA LUMPUR: All eyes are on Malaysia as Kuala Lumpur International Aerospace Business Convention (KLIABC) 2016 opens its doors to main industry players from around world. Starting today till 9 December 2016 the event will be linking Malaysian companies in the aerospace sector with potential partners from around the globe.

Organised by Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE) in collaboration with Advance Business Events (ABE) France, the second KLIABC 2016 was launched by Deputy Minister of International Trade and Industry YB Datuk Ahmad Haji Maslan at MATRADE Exhibition and Convention Centre.

The event gathers decision makers and renowned aerospace players who are seeking Malaysian expertise in the aerospace parts & components manufacturing, engineering & design services, Maintenance, Repair & Overhaul (MRO) as well as systems integration & maintenance. Over 130 organisations from 19 countries are set to converge at the event.

First introduced last year, the KLIABC 2016 is a cost-effective platform for local companies particularly Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) to network with potential trade partners in improving their market penetration and securing their position in the global supply chain.

The main highlights of KLIABC 2016 are a one-day high level conference on 7 December 2016 and Business-to-Business (B2B) meetings slated throughout the remaining two days. The conference features speakers from airlines, Original Equipment Manufacturers and the MRO industry.

A new component at the event this year is a dedicated segment for engine industry called 'Engine Forum' where the B2B forum will be highlighting trends and latest development in aero-engines, turbines and other propulsion as well as power generation.

The conference is divided into four main titles namely Malaysia Aerospace Industry: Looking Out Into the Future; Partnership: The Advantage of Sharing Mutual Expertise, Airlines MRO: What To Insource Vs Outsource; and Component MRO & Engine Maintenance Repair.

As for the B2B meetings taking place on the 8 and 9 December 2016, Malaysian companies can expect to discuss export opportunities with airlines, aircraft manufacturers, engine makers, OEMs, Tier 1, Tier 2 and Tier 3 companies, suppliers as well as engineering service providers.

Among the participating major players at the KLIABC 2016 include Airbus Group, Rolls Royce, Honeywell Aerospace, Safran France, Ruag Aviation, Triumph Aerostructure, Malaysia Airlines, Air Asia, Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad, DRB Hicom, Fly Dubai, Garuda Indonesia, China Eastern Airlines, Etihad Airlines Engineering, Strand Aerospace Malaysia and GIFAS-French Aerospace Industries Associatio..

According to Chief Executive Officer of MATRADE Dato' Dzulkifli Mahmud, the KLIABC 2016 is MATRADE's initiative to strengthen Malaysia's status as an aerospace hub for not only the ASEAN region but the world too. "Malaysia has one of the fastest growing commercial aerospace sectors in Asia Pacific with an average growth of 9 percent year-on-year from 2006 to 2015," he said.

"MATRADE is a main driver for the country in developing the local aerospace industry and we do not just look into the promotional aspects of the industry, but we also work closely with industry players on establishing, developing and promoting the whole eco-system of the industry," Dato' Dzulkifli added.

In 2015, the KLIABC has recorded a total of 2,500 B2B meetings and has generated total sales of RM137 million. In the same year, Malaysia's exports of aerospace products recorded a significant increase of 44.7 percent to RM4.2 billion from RM2.9 billion in 2014. Main exports were aircraft parts and components such as composite wing parts and engine parts (nacelle).

Higher exports were seen through aircraft and associated equipment which have increased by a staggering 186.2 percent from RM2.24 billion in 2012 to RM4.17 billion in 2015. Meanwhile, the main export markets in 2015 for Malaysia included the United States of America, United Kingdom, Singapore, Japan and Thailand.

The KLIABC 2016 provides an ideal avenue for industry players to congregate and discuss strategies to fulfil the industry's requirements. With the introduction of Malaysia Aerospace Blueprint 2030 by the Malaysian Government, Malaysia is set to be a major player in the Aerospace sector in the Asia Pacific region. Among the strategies outlined in the Blueprint are to capturing new markets and strengthening local supply chain, taking into examples main players such as Mexico and Morocco, who both have been regarded as the global hubs for North America and Europe respectively.