Malaysia-Australia Discuss Automotive Collaboration

KUALA LUMPUR, March 1 (Bernama) -- The Malaysia Automotive Institute (MAI) organised the Malaysia-Australia Victorian Automotive Roundtable Forum in Cyberjaya Thursday to discuss areas of collaboration between players from both countries. It was also held to identify specific areas within the automotive research and human capital developments. The roundatable forum was part of preparatory initiatives by both parties in anticipation of the Malaysia-Australia Free Trade Agreement (MAFTA), soon to be signed by both governments, said MAI Chief Executive Officer Madani Sahari in a statement. The local participants included representatives from Proton, Perodua, DRB-Hicom, Naza, Inokom, Malaysian Automotive Association, Malaysian Automotive Component Parts Manufacturers and Proton and Perodua vendor clubs. The Australian delegation, led by the Cooperative Research Centre for Advanced Automotive Technology (AutoCRC), comprised nine representatives from the nation’s prominent universities and R&D-related establishments including Swinburne University, RMIT, Deakin University and Wollongong University. "As a central agency within the Malaysian automotive community, MAI shall manage the implementation of the programmes and projects proposed for the collaboration. "It can be an interesting endeavour ahead and we foresee the collaboration will help elevate competitiveness of both countries and forge closer relationship among Malaysian and Australian R&D and industrial communities respectively," Madani said. -- BERNAMA