Published: on 14 May 2012
KOTA KINABALU: BAE Systems, a global defence, security
and aerospace company, is looking to broaden its industrial reach throughout Malaysia.
Having already established Kuala Lumpur as its Southeast Asian hub, BAE Systems is now looking beyond Peninsula Malaysia to strengthen its presence in Sabah and Sarawak, with a visit by senior company representatives from today until May 17.
In a statement, BAE Systems said that the focus of this trade mission would be the state governments, regional development agencies and local businesses throughout Sarawak, Sabah and Labuan.
BAE Systems has had a presence in Malaysia for more than 20 years with an established South East Asia regional headquarters in Kuala Lumpur.
The company is looking to play a significant role in Malaysia’s economic, technology and capacity development via partnerships with innovative SMEs, government agencies and key academic institutions, as well as supporting the development of skills and technology through vocational training.
As previously announced, BAE Systems is to expand its existing Malaysian joint venture with Boustead Heavy Industry Corporation, BHIC Bofors Asia Sdn Bhd (BHIC Bofors), which already has an industrial facility in Kota Kinabalu.
This expansion would include manufacture and supply of gun systems for the Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) and the wider Southeast Asian region, BAE Systems said.
Such initiatives translate to positive implications for the Malaysian economy -– both in Sabah and Sarawak and in the peninsula.
Through the joint venture, BHIC Bofors will produce new guns locally, using an increased number of parts from local suppliers. The Malaysian supplier base will be expanded through a ‘vendor development programme’ which includes technology transfer from BAE Systems Bofors’ factory in Karlskoga, Sweden.
BAE Systems has supplied Malaysia with Bofors naval guns for decades and today, there are about 140 in service.
BAE Systems’ Malaysian joint venture with BHIC Bofors Asia was established in 2004 and has supported the RMN over the last eight years. -- BERNAMA
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