Malaysia, Japan in talks on Asian aircraft project

Malaysia is in discussions with the Japanese government for an Asian aircraft project, which is still at the ideation stage, with Malaysia looking at possibly supplying components. Entrepreneur Development Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Redzuan Yusof said the idea, envisioned to be like Airbus, for an Asian aircraft came from the Japanese government.

“They (Japanese government) invited us to consider participating in the Asian aircraft project in view that we have the base here in relation to what we do to support the global aircraft industry, namely CTRM (Composites Technology Research Malaysia Sdn Bhd) is supplying tier 2 (aerospace parts) to Airbus. That will become our base to open up more if the ideation from Japan do materialise in the near future,” he told a press conference at the Malaysian Economic Summit 2018 today.

He said it has not prepared the framework of its understanding between the various countries in Asia for the project, given that there is only an ideation coined.

Adding that it has yet to have the first meeting, he hopes the next engagement will be held in late November in Japan.

“I interacted with the Japanese counterpart. They coined the idea of having an Asian aircraft using the entrepreneurship kind of approach to develop this vendor (system), which is already in the industry, expand their capacity and capability, reaching certain level then combining our resources and technology to realise (this project).”

Meanwhile, he said the Ministry of Entrepreneur Development (MED) is reviewing all the policies and initiatives regarding the development of entrepreneurs and SMEs with the intent to make it more holistic, integrated and targeted.

Mohd Redzuan said it is the ministry’s mission to widen and coordinate entrepreneurial activities to be more targeted, inclusive, encompassing all segments of society including the B40s and M40s.

“MED will focus among others on providing proper training and facilitation for entrepreneurs based on industry needs such as business advisory, loans and funding to stimulate the interest of potential and new entrepreneurs to establish their own startups. At the same time, assistance will be extended to them to ensure growth and sustainability of their businesses,” he said.

He said it is the mandate of MED to provide support and facilitation to local entrepreneurs so that they may move forward and withstand the competition and challenges of the global market.