Malaysia is hoping its National Aerospace Blueprint 2030 will continue to gain momentum in Europe, following a respectable 6.7 percent year-on-year growth in total aerospace revenues last year, from MYR13.5 billion in 2017 to MYR14.4 billion ($3.5 billion). According to the Malaysian Aerospace Industry Association (MAIA), aerospace exports from the Asian country were valued at around MYR8.49 billion last year, with manufacturing activities contributed to 48 percent of the revenue—around MYR4.07 billion.
The Blueprint aims to make the country the top aerospace nation in the region, with annual revenue of MYR55.2 billion by 2030. “MAIA is currently looking at having more local SME players at Tier 3 and 4 to support Tier 1 and 2 players,” said an MAIA spokesperson. “We believe that bringing in foreign Tier 1 and 2 players into the Malaysian ecosystem will accelerate workflow for our local suppliers.”
One of the country’s major companies is Composites Technology Research Malaysia (CTRM), which produces composite components for the Airbus A350, A320, and A400M, among other aircraft. They are be joined by Jecmetal Industries, Curge Advance, JWR Technology, and UMW M&E at the MAIA pavilion (Hall 3, C8) this week at Paris Air Show 2019.
The spokesperson told AIN that CTRM is hoping to use the Paris show as a platform to network with customers from around the world and expand its services. Similarly, she said UMW M&E will be promoting its engine parts and components manufacturing.
“In line with the vision of making Malaysia an aerospace hub for Asia-Pacific, and positioning the country to the same level as Mexico and Morocco as an established aerospace hub for Americas and Europe, respectively, Malaysia is looking at attracting aerospace companies in Europe to be located in Malaysia. This will realize our aim of building a broad-based ecosystem in Malaysia and ultimately spur more foreign players to choose Malaysia as a preferred investment location,” she added.
With three of the four major engine manufacturers—Rolls-Royce, Safran and General Electric—already having manufacturing and maintenance presence in Malaysia, MAIA hopes that Pratt & Whitney will consider the country to be part of its supply chain in the future.
The spokesperson recognized that the country’s human capital supply must be strengthened. In fact, she said that MAIA’s human capital steering committee is working on industry Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) frameworks with institutions to produce high-skilled workers to meet the industry needs, to ensure Malaysia’s future competitiveness.
