Malaysia To Draw International Defence Players Through MDSTP

KUALA LUMPUR, July 12 (Bernama) -- Malaysia aims to draw foreign defence players for domestic investment through the first defence and security hub in Asean, the Malaysian Defence and Security Technology Park (MDSTP). Defence Minister Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the MDSTP would be a premier defence technology park with advanced infrastructure and services to accelerate the development of local human capital, research and development (R&D), science, technology and innovation for defence security and enforcement agencies. "With an estimated total gross development cost of about RM1.5 billion and gross development value of about RM4.5 billion, the MDSTP has received good response with 400 companies around the world, having shown an interest in it," he added. (US$1=RM3.18) Ahmad Zahid said this in his speech at the "Italian Business Networking Session With Minister of Defence Malaysia", at the Farnborough Airshow 2012 in London, on Thursday. The text of his speech was made available to Bernama here. Ahmad Zahid also witnessed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Italian company, Alenia Aermacchi S.p.A. and MDSTP, that focuses on R&D collaboration and aeronautics. "I am proud that to date, the MDSTP has signed 12 MoUs worth about RM5.2 billion with key players in the defence and security industry, globally. "This includes the MoU signed with the Italian Industries Federation for Aerospace, Defence and Security (AIAD), which is worth an estimated RM4 billion. "The scope of the MoU includes Systems Integration (Air Traffic Control System), Composite Manufacturing Technology, Gear Box and Engine MRO, R&D Collaboration, Smart City, Naval, Aeronautics and Hydrogen development," he said. The MDSTP is located in Sungkai, in Malaysia's northern state of Perak, and aims to provide investors with the means to capture the vast opportunities and potential of the global defence and security industry. Ahmad Zahid said as part of the public-private sector initiative, the government had invited Masterplan Consulting Sdn Bhd to take forward this initiative and oversee the Park's development, in close dialogue and understanding with his ministry. He said the project, which was currently in its final planning stages, is set to attract a community of local as well as international industry players, within a congenial and dedicated hub. He said the target sectors for this project would include the aerospace and avionics, automotive, maritime, defence weaponry and ICT as well as others that provide support to the defence and security industry. The MDSTP he added, would be equipped with the best infrastructure, be it physical or in respect of ICT, business and trading centres, factories, commercial centre, a R&D hub, educational centre, medical facilities and residential areas. "Malaysia has always welcomed investors and international companies to invest in it," Ahmad Zahid said. He said besides the country's strategic location in Asean, stable politics, skilled workers and professionals, Malaysia has received several global accolades. --BERNAMA