By Nasuha Badrul Huzaini
SUBANG, Sept 8 — The Selangor Aviation Show 2022 (SAS 2022) will serve as a bridge to connect industry players from the Asean region and all over the world to do business in Malaysia, says Finance Minister Datuk Seri Tengku Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz.
He said the business would involve sectors such as business aviation, general aviation, helicopters, drones and sports aviation.
“I hope that SAS will become a permanent fixture in Malaysia and the Asean region. The Selangor government through Invest Selangor Bhd has been working closely with aerospace industry players to identify areas of collaboration as well as opportunities to ensure sustainable growth for our nation’s aerospace and aviation industry.
“I look forward to seeing positive results soon and hopefully more business opportunities and collaborations will emerge here at the SAS in the coming days.
“I hope both governments could continue to collaborate in order to achieve the goals and aspirations of the 12th Malaysia Plan, Malaysia Aerospace Blueprint, and the Selangor Aerospace Action Plan,” he said in his speech at the SAS 2022 opening ceremony at the SkyPark Regional Aviation Centre (SkyPark RAC), here today.
The three-day event was officiated by Raja Muda of Selangor Tengku Amir Shah.
Also present were Menteri Besar Dato’ Seri Amirudin Shari and state executive councillor for investment, industry and trade Dato’ Teng Chang Khim.
The air show has attracted industry players from Thailand, Indonesia, China & Hong Kong, Singapore, South Korea, Brazil, Canada, France, Switzerland, Czech Republic, Nigeria, United Kingdom and the United States to participate in the event.
Meanwhile, Tengku Zafrul said it is extremely encouraging to see how high demand in air travel and the aerospace supply chain is supporting the industry in returning to its pre-pandemic growth.
He said that both the manufacturing sector, which was driven by plastics, electric products, electronics, chemicals, optical, rubber and petroleum products, and the maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) sector were well on their way to pre-pandemic levels.
“At the Finance Ministry, we have also been working very closely with industry players and other ministries to maintain confidence in international and financial markets, reopen international borders, lift Covid-19 restrictions, and provide subsidies to ease businesses and the people towards the path of recovery.
“We acknowledge the challenges which this industry is facing, particularly in terms of business expansion and retention, as well as the lengthy bureaucracy that may prevent foreign and domestic investors from doing businesses in Malaysia.
“Rest assured that we are working to address these issues,” he added.
