The Kedah state government plans to attract more aerospace industry investments, especially in Bukit Kayu Hitam which also houses the Kedah Science and Technology Park (KSTP).
Menteri Besar Mukhriz Mahathir said this was based on the potential and rapid expansion of the aerospace sector in Malaysia, which also involved maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) activities that could contribute to national economic growth.
“One of the components in KSTP is aerospace, so with the presence of Aerospace Composites Malaysia Sdn Bhd (ACM) which has been here for 20 years, we hope to attract more interest from aircraft components companies to invest and build their factories here in Bukit Kayu Hitam.
“I was informed that last year, the composite materials segment contributed RM6.6 billion to annual revenue which surpassed MRO’s contribution of RM6.23 billion. It seems that there is rapid expansion in this (the aerospace) industry,” he told reporters after witnessing the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between ACM and four research institutes today.
Also present was ACM Managing Director Jose Garza.
ACM is a joint-venture between US companies Boeing and Hexcel, a supplier of composite and structural products for the global aerospace industry.
Mukhriz said if Kedah succeeded in achieving its ambition of building the Kulim International Airport, this would guarantee to boost demand for aircraft component manufacturing technology in Malaysia, apart from creating more high-value job opportunities.
“The state government is prepared to provide assistance in training to produce a high-skill workforce for companies that intend to invest in aerospace in the state,” he added.
The four research institutes that signed the MoU with ACM were Sultan Abdul Halim Mu’adzam Shah Polytechnic, National Youth Skills Institute Jitra, Industrial Training Institue Jitra and Universiti Malaysia Perlis.
The MoU will see ACM work together with the institutes in research and development, advisory services, training and skills development for students and lecturers, as well as knowledge and skill exchange through the National Dual Training System.
– Bernama
