BOEING SEES STRONG GROWTH IN ASIA PACIFIC, MALAYSIA AS EMINENT PARTNER

By Tengku Noor Shamsiah Tengku Abdullah
SINGAPORE, June 3 (Bernama) -- The defence division of Boeing sees strong
growth potential in the Asia Pacific region, and values Malaysia as a very
important partner because of its influence within it.

Boeing Defence, Space & Security (BDS) Executive Vice-President, Dennis A.
Muilenburg said: "We see strength in the Asia Pacific market and as one of
the fastest growing regions. So, we are focusing resources and talent in
this area.

"Malaysia is a very important partner for us. We have some existing strong
partnership with companies like SME and Composites Technology Research
Malaysia Sdn Bhd.

"We also see opportunities for new products in Malaysia as well. Malaysia is
clearly a very important influence in the region and a very important partner
for us," he told Bernama after a media roundtable meeting here.

The event was held on the sidelines of the 10th International Institute for
Strategic Studies (IISS) Shangri-La Dialogue.

At the roundtable, Muilenburg shared updates on BDS' defence portfolio, key
programmes and financial performance.

He also talked about its plans and the growing importance of the Asia
Pacific region and gave his insights into the global defence market.

On new products for the region, Muilenburg said it was broadly interested in
Boeing's fighter aircraft, the C17 aircraft and surveillance capabilities among
others.

When asked if BDS is working with Malaysia's Defence Ministry, he said: "One
of the reasons we are sponsoring this Shangri-la Dialogue is that it is a great
forum which brings together countries and partners that contribute towards
stability, peace and prosperity in the region.

"As part of that process, we are meeting defence customers in the region,
including Malaysia. I will be also meeting Prime Minister Najib in this
regard."

Najib was invited to deliver the keynote address at the opening of the
Shangri-la Dialogue.

BDS combines manned and unmanned airborne capabilities, intelligence and
security systems, communications architecture and an extensive large-scale
integration expertise across diverse business areas.

A US$32 billion business with 66,000 employees worldwide, the BDS strategy
is to understand the enduring needs of customers and provide capability-based
solutions to meet their rapidly evolving requirements.

This strategy includes understanding the art of using current and emerging
technologies to improve the capabilities of existing products and deliver new
solutions.