MUSTAPA: MALAYSIAN FIRMS SHOULD GAIN FROM ROLLS ROYCE FACTORY IN SINGAPORE

From Massita Ahmad

BIRMINGHAM, March 12 (Bernama) -- Malaysian companies should gain from the
presence of the Rolls Royce engine factory in Singapore by supplying components
to the factory which is due to start operations in two years.

Malaysia's International Trade and Industry Minister Mustapa Mohamed said
the jet engine maker had met several Malaysian companies with the capability to
supply the necessary components last year.

The companies concerned are expected to locate their operations in the
Iskandar Malaysia region which is close to neighbouring Singapore, he told
Bernama Friday.

The minister is leading an eight-day trade and investment mission to three
European countries, starting with the Netherlands on March 6, followed by
Germany and the United Kingdom.

On his visit to the Rolls Royce headquarters in Derby, UK, on Thursday,
Mustapa said the company was not affected by the global economic crisis compared
to other well-known UK companies which underwent radical changes.

"Rolls Royce could cope because of its strength in technology after having
spent heavily on research and development, and enjoying close relations with
universities," he said.

"This model is good for Malaysia to become a developed nation with highly
skilled workers and then to achieve the high income target," he added.

Rolls Royce has opened its apprentice programme to students aged from 14 and
in Derby, the company has about 12,000 workers.

The UK remained Malaysia's third largest trading partner in the EU last
year, with RM13.1 billion (US$3.7 billion) or 11.8 per cent in total trade with
the EU.

The UK was also the third most important market for Malaysia in the EU, with
cumulative exports at RM7.1 billion (US$2.01 billion) or 11.8 per cent to the
EU.

As at December last year, 372 manufacturing projects with UK participation
have been implemented, with the projects valued at RM5.6 billion (US$1.6
billion).

Major investment areas were petroleum and petroleum products, chemicals and
chemical products, basic metal products and rubber products.

The mission delegation comprises senior state government officials,
International Trade and Industry Ministry officials, and representatives from
the private sector, Halal Industry Development Corporation, Northern Corridor
Implementation Authority, Malaysian Industrial Development Authority and
Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation.
-- BERNAMA