BAE Systems To Bridge Industrial Gap Between M'sia & UK

KUALA LUMPUR, March 27 (Bernama) -- BAE Systems that has established close ties with Malaysia and a track record of successful partnerships in its UK home market, is keen to bridge the industrial gap between the two countries. Last week, the defence, security and aerospace company, together with the UK Trade and Investment Defence and Security Organisation (UKTI DSO), organised a programme to expose UK SMEs to opportunities in Malaysia. The London event on Friday was supported by key Malaysian bodies including the Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA), SME Corporation, the Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE) and the Ministry of Defence (MINDEF). In a joint statement Tuesday, BAE Systems and the UKTI DSO said the business opportunity and networking event in London last Friday was well received by all participating companies. "The purpose of the event was for UK SMEs to learn about opportunities to explore and develop mutually beneficial partnerships with Malaysian counterparts across a wide range of industries including aerospace and high-end technology," they said. BAE Systems Group Business Development Director Alan Garwood said that as a company with a long history in Malaysia, BAE Systems recognised the country's potential and would continue its industrial strategy to forge strong and sustainable relationships with the Malaysian defence and security industry. "BAE Systems believes that innovation greatly enhances corporate competitiveness in the global market: an example, being Britain, which has enjoyed broad success due to its approach to innovation and creativity. "We see the same trend occurring in Malaysia with broad-ranging initiatives to cultivate innovation; hence we strongly encourage UK SMEs to participate," he said. UKTI DSO Regional Director Keith Smith said UK SMEs should engage Malaysian industry to better understand each other's offerings and thereby determine areas of synergy for future collaboration. "There are many benefits that result; not least being the growth of the indigenous technology base in Malaysia and a UK SME community with much broader market scope. "It is a win-win situation," he said. -- BERNAMA