SPEECH
YB DATO’ MUKHRIZ MAHATHIR
DEPUTY MINISTER OF INTERNATIONAL TRADE AND INDUSTRY
SPIRIT AEROSYSTEMS MALAYSIA SDN BHD:
FACILITY EXPANSION AND 787 FIXED LEADING EDGE PROGRAMME
9 FEBRUARY 2012 (THURSDAY)
MALAYSIA INTERNATIONAL AEROSPACE CENTRE (MIAC), SUBANG
Assalamualaikum W.B.T and Salam 1Malaysia.
His Excellency Mr. Paul W. Jones,
United States Ambassador to Malaysia;
Mr. Francis Hiew,
Managing Director of Spirit Malaysia;
Yang Berbahagia Dato’ Noharuddin Nordin,
Director-General of MIDA;
Yang Berbahagia Tan Sri Bashir Ahmad Abdul Majid,
Managing Director of Malaysia Airport Holdings Berhad;
Distinguished Guests.
1. Thank you for this invitation to officiate this twin event; the groundbreaking ceremony for Spirit AeroSystems Malaysia’s facility expansion and the launch of the company’s Boeing 787 Fixed Leading Edge (FLE) project.
2. I would also like to take this opportunity to extend my sincere appreciation to His Excellency Mr. Paul W. Jones for his support and presence today.
3. In my opinion, both said projects are indicative of how far Malaysia’s aerospace manufacturing industry has progressed. We began in the 70s by providing basic Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) services to meet the demands and requirements of commercial as well as military aircraft. We have since acquired much experience and expertise. The expansion of Spirit Aerospace Malaysia’s facility here reflects the big strides we have made in this industry.
4. The launch of this company’s FLE project is testament to the high level of skills we have here in the aerospace industry. It also speaks volumes about the level of confidence major manufacturers of aircraft components have in our ability to deliver quality work and services.
5. I am made to understand that this FLE project has to do with Boeing’s 787 Dreamliner project. This aircraft is Boeing’s latest high-technology product and Spirit Malaysia is involved in the sub-assembly of carbon composite skins for Boeing 787’s wing structure.
6. We welcome Spirit Aerospace’s decision to locate this new sub-assembly activity here. This project will create more opportunities for Malaysians to acquire new skills at the high-end of the aerospace industry. It will also give local companies the opportunity to be involved in engineering and technology integration of a new generation of sophisticated aircraft.
7. We hope, that with Spirit Aerospace’s increased presence here other global aerospace companies will set up their manufacturing operations in Malaysia.
Distingushed Guests,
8. The Government is fully committed to support the development of this industry. Our National Aerospace Blueprint calls for Malaysia to be developed into a major aerospace player by 2015. We anticipate that aero-manufacturing and MRO services are activities that will grow significantly over the next few years.
9. This growth however needs to be accompanied by increased investments in research and human capital development.
10. Today, most R&D activites in aerospace technology are undertaken collaboratively between industry and research institutions. In this context, the Malaysia Aerospace Council has established the Aerospace Manufacturing Innovation Centre to serve as the focal point for research in advanced aerostructures.
11. As for skills development, programmes such as LEADER Aerospace, a bridging programme with matching funds between the Ministry of Higher Education and Spirit and other aerospace companies will help to ensure a steady supply of professionally certified and highly skilled workers.
12. Thus, the future looks promising for the aerospace industry in the country. I am told that this FLE project is targeted to take off in July. I wish you every success in this venture.
Distinguished Guests,
13. Without further ado, it is my privilege to officiate this groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of Spirit AeroSystems Malaysia Sdn Bhd’s new assembly complex and to welcome the company’s Boeing 787 Fixed Leading Edge programme.
Thank you.
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