MAIA President's Dinner 2024 - YB Senator Tengku Datuk Seri Utama Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz Toasts the Malaysian Aerospace Industry
May 31, 2024 – The Malaysia Aerospace Industry Association (MAIA) hosted its inaugural President’s Dinner on May 29th, 2024, at the President Ballroom of M Resort & Hotel, Kuala Lumpur. The event, which was a first of its kind for the Malaysian Aerospace Industry, brought together more than 300 industry seniors from across the entire spectrum of the aerospace industry - manufacturing, MRO (Maintenance, Repair & Overhaul), design, services as well as business aviation as well as from the growing drone sector.
The formal dinner also provided numerous networking opportunities as colleagues caught up and new friendships were forged. YB Senator Datuk Seri Utama Tengku Seri Utama Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz, Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry, in his vibrant keynote address, congratulated MAIA for its significant growth, evolving from just 10 members in 2016 to 108 members presently. YB Minister highlighted the aerospace industry’s contributions to Malaysia’s economic growth and technological advancement over the past decade. In 2023 alone, the industry achieved revenues of RM18 billion, with exports reaching RM6 billion, reflecting a substantial contribution to the nation’s economy.
YB Senator Datuk Seri Utama also noted that “The New Industrial Master Plan (NIMP 2030) complements the Aerospace Industry Blueprint, particularly in enhancing economic complexity, and rapidly embracing technology towards fostering a digitally vibrant nation and in achieving net zero.” YB Minister went on to further mention the importance for Malaysia “to elevate the aerospace ecosystem we need to become real-value creators across the entire value chain, not just passive participants” and emphasized “the importance of innovation, technology adoption, and collaboration between the public and private sectors” and further “urged Malaysian SMEs to focus on product and process design to move up the value chain and meet the demands of the global market”.
During the evening, YB Minister also presented various awards at the dinner, in recognition of significant contributions both at the corporate and individual level to the Aerospace Industry in Malaysia. Adjudged by an independent panel, these awards included the following categories:
Leadership Competencies and Development Award, won by DViation Group ; Aerospace Catalyst Award, won by PEN Aviation Sdn Bhd ; Influential Aerospace Entrepreneur Award won by PEN Aviation Sdn Bhd ; Sustainability and Environmental Stewardship Award won by CTRM Sdn Bhd ; Aerospace Phoenix Award won by Ms Su Lyn Doong from GE Aerospace Malaysia and lastly the Aerospace Premiership Award won by Mr Viknesvaran Alagan also from GE Aerospace Malaysia.
En Naguib Mohd Nor, the President of MAIA, in his welcoming speech, thanked the Ministry of Investment, Trade & Industry and the various MITI agencies including NAICO, MIDA and Matrade for their support of the industry. He further stated that MAIA is grateful to be the voice of members, and to be able to represent their interests since MAIA’s inception in 2016. As En Naguib said, “Over the years, MAIA has served as a beacon to both unify and support capacity and capability development within the aerospace industry. We provide a platform for collaboration, knowledge exchange and advocacy, with a focus on driving growth and innovations across the industry including the key aspects of digitalisation and sustainable practices”.
In closing, En Naguib thanked the sponsors and the MAIA members for their continued support and dedication to the aerospace industry, and reminded the guests that we need to remain agile, adaptable and forward-thinking in order to keep abreast of the rapid evolution of the aerospace industry. About MAIA The Malaysia Aerospace Industry Association (MAIA) is a leading industry association representing Malaysia’s aerospace sector. With well over 100 members, MAIA plays a vital role in advancing the interests of the aerospace industry in Malaysia through its role as both advocate and global collaborator.
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