Malaysia's Participation in Aeromart Toulouse 2022
WEDNESDAY, 14 DECEMBER 2022, KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysia Aerospace Industry Association (MAIA) through the ETA grant under the supervision of the Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE) had coordinated the participation of five (5) Malaysian aerospace companies to the Aeromart Toulouse 2022, held on 29 November to 1 December 2022 at the MEETT Exhibition and Convention Centre, Toulouse, France.
The aviation industry has seen a rapid recovery as air travel has increased since most countries reopened their borders following the covid19 pandemic. According to the International Air Transport Association (IATA), passenger numbers will continue to rise by 83% by end of 2022 as compared to pre-pandemic level and will surpass 2019's record by 2024. According to MAIA, monthly production of A320-family aircrafts by Airbus is now at 50 units and set to increase to 61 units by year end. Airbus also had revised the company’s plan to up the monthly production of A320-family to 65 units by summer 2023, with output of 70 units by Q1 2024 and to 75 units by 2025.
Therefore, in line with the increasing demand of commercial flights and aircraft productions by Tier 1 companies and Malaysia’s relentless efforts in promoting the Nation’s aerospace exports, the Malaysian participation in Aeromart Toulouse 2022 is a right step in promoting Malaysia's capabilities in the aerospace manufacturing and services sector. The five (5) exhibitors in the programme are well-known in aerospace industry and internationally recognised for their expertise and capabilities in aerostructures composites manufacturing, satcom, interior and seats, calibration and testing services, design and fabrication of aerospace parts and components, fabricated machine parts for airframes, engine system components, enhanced assembly capabilities for completed components, large structures assembly, control surface assembly, fixed wing structures and titanium parts assembly, as well as, gemcor drivematic riveting and dimpling machine services.
Malaysia’s past participation in the Aeromart Toulouse was in 2018 with the main focus was to explore opportunities for collaboration between Malaysian companies and OEMs, Tier 1 & Tier 2 suppliers in aerospace manufacturing, engineering services and precision parts & components. As for this year edition, Malaysia’s participation in this event aimed to continue our efforts in promoting and showcases the strength and reliability of our aerospace industry to the global players presence at the programme. This was also the first public-private collaboration initiative between MATRADE and MAIA in coordinating Malaysian companies' participation in a trade promotional activity under the Malaysia Pavilion.
Aeromart Toulouse is a well-known international business convention and exhibition programme held biennially for aerospace industries to gather worldwide aerospace ecosystem. There were around 3,000 business visitors from over 45 countries attended the hybrid event where a series of conferences, networking activities, business matchings and exhibitions were held concurrently throughout the event.
A total of 74 business meetings conducted at the Malaysia Pavillion between Malaysian exhibitors and the global buyers from countries such as France, the USA, UK, Canada, Spain, Belgium, Italy, India, Indonesia, Romania, Korea and Japan. These meetings had recorded potential sales worth RM276 million for Malaysia’s aerospace capabilities and specialties in aircrafts support products ranging from nacelles and composite wings components, metallic aerostructures, tooling for computerised numerical computer (CNC) machines, fasteners, as well as, machining and assembly of aircraft doors, wings structures and aerostructures and human resources outsourcing services.
Malaysian exhibitors had attended the conferences organised during the event, where some interesting topics were delivered by large corporations such as Airbus, Boeing, Safran, and ATR. The presentations focused on topics such as sustainability, digitalization, and human resource development. According to Madam Yuslinawati Mohd Yusof, Director of Transport & Logistics Section, MATRADE, "the ETA Program, which MATRADE introduced this year, aims to empower trade associations in respective industries in promoting Malaysia's exports hand in hand." "Given the current global trend in the aerospace sector, it is timely for Malaysian companies to be more aggressive in their business, including sustainability and digitalisation offerings that are in line with emerging needs." “Malaysian companies are already involved in a variety of products and services, including components for long-distance satellite-controlled drones and pilot-less aeroplanes, as well as a sustainability initiative involving the development of zero-emission aircrafts and research on hybrid liquid hydrogen-support gas turbine engines. As a result, Malaysian firms should invest more in these areas," she added.
The Managing Director of MAIA, Mr. David Jones, commented that “The participation of Malaysian companies in Aeromart Toulouse 2022 under the utilisation of MATRADE’s ETA grant had been beneficial in facilitating our participation, without which, we might had missed the exhibitions. The participation in the programme also had given opportunities to Malaysian aerospace companies to showcase our strength and grew our presence internationally, as well as, to learn about the new innovations and exchange of ideas by various notable prospects from all over the world. Although we are given a very stiff target to be achieved, I am very confident that it is attainable through a series of well-arranged business meetings supported with our companies’ very own unique capabilities and new inventions in aerospace industry”.
For more information on exports promotion activities organised in France, as well as, exporters development programmes and other MATRADE’s assistance, Malaysian exporters of both products and services are highly encouraged to contact MATRADE via MATRADE Headquarter in Kuala Lumpur, MATRADE Paris, Regional Offices in Malaysia and Trade Offices overseas through our social media channels or visit www.matrade.gov.my.
