FOR the first time, the Farnborough International Airshow (FIA) counts Malaysia among its many national pavilions, as the country moves to further its fledgling aerospace industry and related sectors in the world theatre.
The Malaysia Pavilion, though small, is located in a prominent position at the entrance to Hall 2 of the huge complex that is FIA 2014.
It features seven Malaysian companies and is handled by the Malaysian Trade External Development Corp (Matrade), making Malaysia the first Asean country to have a national pavilion at the prestigious airshow which many consider to be the most important in the world.
Malaysian High Commissioner to the United Kingdom Datuk Ahmad Rasidi Hazizi said plans for the pavilion were made as far back as the last FIA, two years ago.
He said the move proved the government’s determination to ensure the nation’s aerospace industry developed consistently and turns into one of the biggest contributors to Malaysia’s economy.
“The aim of the Malaysian companies’ involvement in FIA 2014 is to look out for possible cooperation with the main players in the world aerospace industry.
“Since FIA 2014 opened on Monday, the pavilion has had a whole host of visitors, especially from representatives of companies who have said their organisations are keen to work with the local aerospace industry players. They are keen to help us develop our industry,” he said.
Rasidi had earlier visited the pavilion, accompanied by Matrade deputy chief executive officer Susila Devi, its transportation, logistics and maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) director Md Silmi Abd Rahman and Malaysian Trade Commissioner to the UK Khairul Nizam Moonier.
Rasidi said several aspects were being given priority in the nation’s participation in FIA 2014, especially in terms of knowledge sharing and transfer of technology from the industry’s main players.
He said knowledge sharing and transfer of technology are important if the nation’s aerospace industry is to fully realise its potential and the government’s aim of making Malaysia the Southeast Asian aerospace hub.
“At FIA 2014, we are especially focused on joint ventures in MRO programmes, offset programmes and the like as we don’t want to be a nation that merely procures assets, but one which produces assets.
Rasidi said foreign companies had already proven that they are confident in Malaysian abilities, with several memoranda of understanding (MoUs) already signed since FIA 2014 began.
Malaysian companies have been busy, with AirAsia Bhd and Weststar Aviation Services Sdn Bhd having purchased assets, apart from the MoUs mentioned by Rasidi.
Among these were several MoUs which involve Mara and its Asian Aerospace City programme which will see the nation’s aerospace industry being built from the ground up with world-class educational programmes lined up to ensure the skilled employees needed being produced yearly.
