Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation

FRIDAY, 7 FEBRUARY 2020, KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE) will be leading a mission to Singapore Airshow from 11-16 February 2020 as its first effort this year to promote Malaysian aerospace sector as well as creating opportunities for our home-grown companies to be part of the aerospace global supply chain. The initiative will involve the participation of 62 Malaysian participants from 15 organisations.

The focus sectors to be highlighted at the event include Aero-manufacturing, Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul, Education & Training Services, Aviation as well as Defense Sub-sectors.  Meanwhile, among the participating companies are Sapura Aerospace, Asia Aerotechnic and Global Turbine Asia.

Supported by the National Aerospace Industry Coordinating Office (NAICO), SME Corp, Invest Selangor, Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad and Malaysia Aerospace Industry Association (MAIA), this initiative will further strengthen Malaysia’s position as a key player in the aerospace industry within the region.

Through the event, MATRADE plans to showcase Malaysia’s aerospace strengths to the global participants attending the trade event. According to MATRADE’s Chief Executive Officer, Dato’ Wan Latiff Wan Musa, Malaysia’s participation in the event is key to promote Malaysia as an aerospace hub for the Southeast Asian region and to attract the global participants to MATRADE-own aerospace event, Kuala Lumpur International Aerospace Business Convention (KLIABC) 2020 from 23 – 25 June 2020.

“We will be launching KLIABC 2020 at the event and despite the current Coronavirus outbreak, MATRADE will be taking all the necessary precautionary measures, with the support of the organiser to ensure the well-being of our delegates,” Wan Latiff explained.

“The mission to Singapore Airshow will not only market Malaysian companies but provide the local players the opportunities to be exposed to new technologies and explore partnerships with Original Equipment Manufacturers and the Tier 1 / Tier 2 suppliers from around the globe. This is part of MATRADE’s efforts to enhance exports of high value products and services,” Wan Latiff said.  

Malaysia’s export of aircraft parts and components have tripled from RM2.88 billion in 2014 to a record high of RM8.82 billion in 2019. The growth was mainly driven by the expansion of aerospace manufacturing activities. Last year, Malaysia’s export growth was at 3.9 per cent.

Malaysia’s top exports are aerospace parts and components, fan cowl, fan casing, thrust reverser, forward leading edge, aircraft door, avionics equipment and carbon brakes. The top export markets for Malaysia are United States of America, United Kingdom, France, Singapore and China.

“2020 is likely to be a year of significant growth for the global aerospace industry where the sector may see steady investments in new and existing technologies. This is why we need to aggressively promote this sector and encourage more strategic partnerships and joint ventures in the area of technology development.  We hope from this exposure, our local players will be able to remain competitive,” Wan Latiff said.

Held biennially, Singapore Airshow is one of the world’s largest aerospace trade exhibitions and attended by aerospace giants namely Airbus, Boeing and Embraer.