Published: Sunday October 14, 2012 MYT 7:52:00 PM

Mukhriz: Govt wants to develop Changlun as aerospace centre

SUNGAI PETANI: The government intends to develop Changlun in northern Kedah as an aerospace centre following increasing market demand for aerospace industry products in Asia.

International Trade and Industry Deputy Minister Datuk Mukhriz Mahathir said although the idea was still new, there were several factors for choosing Changlun as the location, including its large areas of undeveloped land.

"In Changlun too, there is already a company, Asian Composites Manufacturing Sdn Bhd, producing Boeing aircraft components since 12 years ago.

"However, this opportunity has not been tapped to set up support or downstream industries in the area.

"This is a waste, but it's not too late as the aerospace industry in Asia, in particular the demand for aircraft is increasinmg rapidly.

"Therefore, we should make full use of this opportunity," he told a news conference here.

"The approach of the ministry and Mida (Malaysia Industrial Development Authority) is clustering, that is, if there is an anchor industry, we want other companies to come in and set up support industries.

"Many companies are interested, and in fact when I met several small and medium entrepreneurs this morning, they welcomed the proposal and even gave suggestions on how to make the idea work," he said.

Mukhriz also said that Kulim which was known as an industrial area, could also further benefit from the setting up of a science-based university in the area to produce more high-quality human capital to meet the needs of the industries.

"In developed countries like Japan, Taiwan and Korea, science-based universities with focus on research and development are surrounded by sophisticated industries but there is no such university at the Kulim Hi-Tech Park at present."

He said by having such a university in Kulim, close cooperation could be established between the university and industries in spurring industrial development in Kedah without sidelining the agriculture sector.

"Besides, the university will be able to get the latest information on the manpower market trends from the industries," he added.- Bernama

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Published: Sunday October 14, 2012 MYT 7:52:00 PM

Mukhriz: Govt wants to develop Changlun as aerospace centre