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YB DATO' MUKHRIZ MAHATHIR
DEPUTY MINISTER OF INTERNATIONAL TRADE AND INDUSTRY
MOU SIGNING CEREMONY BETWEEN
MALAYSIA AUTOMOTIVE INSTITUTE (MAI)
AND AutoCRC AUSTRALIA
7 MARCH 2011 (MONDAY)
DEWAN KRISTAL, MITI
Assalamualaikum W.B.T, Good Afternoon and Salam 1Malaysia.
Yang Berbahagia Datuk Rebecca Fatima Santa Maria,
Secretary General of MITI;
His Excellency Mr. Miles Kupa,
Australian High Commissioner to Malaysia;
Dr. Matthew J Cuthbertson,
Chief Executive Officer of AutoCRC, Australia;
Mr. Mohamad Madani Sahari,
Chief Executive Officer of Malaysia Automotive Institute (MAI)
Senior Officers from MITI;
Representatives of automotive industry;
Members of the Media;
Ladies and Gentlemen.
1. First and foremost, I would like to take this opportunity to thank the MALAYSIA AUTOMOTIVE INSTITUTE (MAI) and COOPERATIVE RESEARCH CENTRE FOR ADVANCED AUTOMOTIVE TECHNOLOGY (AutoCRC), Australia for inviting me here today.
2. I am pleased to be given the honour to witness the signing of MOU between MAI and AutoCRC, an international Centre of Excellence.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
3. On 4 August 2009, at the Malaysia-Australia Joint Trade Committee Meeting, the Minister of the Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI) Malaysia, and his counterpart the Minister for Trade, Australia decided on an automotive roundtable discussion between Malaysia and Australia to explore possible synergies between the automotive industries of both countries.
4. Subsequent to that decision, in July 2010, MITI led a delegation from Malaysia comprising MIDA, MAI, PROTON, PERODUA, the PROTON Vendors Association (PVA), PERODUA Vendors Association (KVP) and the Malaysian Automotive Component and Parts Manufacturers Association (MACPMA) to the automotive roundtable discussion.
5. Among the objectives of the roundtable discussion were to explore synergies and cooperation at the government as well as to enhance private sector collaboration.
6. In September 2010, MITI Minister Dato’ Sri Mustapa Mohamed made a working visit to Australia.
7. Today’s event is as a result of both the roundtable and MITI Minister's visit. This MOU sees the unfolding of another chapter in the collaboration between the Malaysian and Australian automotive sector.
8. I would like to commend MAI and AutoCRC on this collaboration. MAI, being the newly established organization under MITI, serves as a focal point and coordination centre for the development of the Malaysian automotive. MAI also provides inputs on policy formulation, manages human resource development programmes, formulates and coordinates automotive related research and development.
9. AutoCRC, on the other hand, is Australia’s centre for coordination for automotive research, development and commercialisation. AutoCRC also provides sector support through supply chain development, education, training and international engagement activities.
10. The areas of collaboration between MAI and AutoCRC will include:
• business and economic cooperation for automotive based companies in Malaysia and Australia;
• research and development initiatives in new automotive technologies such as vehicle electrification, gaseous fuels and sustainable manufacturing; and
• fostering academic and education exchanges in higher education and vocational training.
11. The collaboration with AutoCRC has many positive outcomes for the benefit of the Malaysian automotive industry. These include:
• acquiring and introducing safer, cleaner manufacturing and vehicle technologies for the Malaysian automotive players;
• leveraging on the numerous completed automotive research projects that cover materials and sustainable manufacturing, powertrains, fuels and emissions, safety and intelligent vehicles, virtual design and manufacturing; and
• opening the window for technology and commercialization partnerships between the Malaysian automotive players and the Australian research and industry players.
12. I was informed that 2 projects have been identified for implementation immediately after this MOU is signed. These projects will bear immediate outcomes benefitting both the Malaysian and Australian automotive industries in the areas of welding improvement and apprenticeship.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
13. I see the collaborative initiative between MAI and AutoCRC as a strategic and right step towards leveraging on each other’s strength for the benefit of the automotive industry in Malaysia and Australia. This MOU will provide the necessary platform for automotive companies of both countries to deepen their engagement.
14. The foundation for strategic collaboration is place. It is now up the the auto companies of both countries to leverage on this arrangement for the growth and development of the industry. It is important to stress that this engagement will be mutually beneficial especially within the context of greater economic integration in ASEAN. ASEAN with its growing middle-class is expected to have some 3 million cars on the road by 2020. Malaysia has the geographical advantage within ASEAN. I am sure this fact has not slipped past the auto companies of both Australia and Malaysia. We look forward to seeing the fruits of this arrangement.
Ladies and Gentlemen
15. Once again, I would like to congratulate MAI and AutoCRC for this initiative. Thank you for your attention and I wish both MAI and AutoCRC a productive and fruitful collaboration.
Thank you. |
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