JAPAN/MALAYSIAN CO TO MANUFACTURE AERO PARTS IN MELAKA

MELAKA (Malaysia), Feb 7 (Bernama) -- Imai Aero-Equipment Mfg.Ltd. (IAC),
Japan's largest subcontractor in manufacturing of aircraft components and
equipments today entered into a joint venture with Malaysian company Cubic
Electronics Sdn Bhd (CESB) to set up their RM100 million aero manufacturing
plant here.

IAC Japan will hold 75 percent equity in the joint venture, IAC
Manufacturing (M) Sdn Bhd (IAC) Malaysia, while CESB will own the remaining 25
percent.

"IAC Malaysia aims to be the largest aircraft components manufacturing and
sub-assembly hub in Asia Pacific," said President of IAC Japan, Tetsuo Imai,
during the signing ceremony Friday at the IAC plant here in Ayer Keroh in
southern state of Melaka.

At the signing today, IAC Japan was represented by Imai while CESB by its
Chairman and CEO Goh Seng Chong. Melaka Chief Minister Mohd Ali Rustam witnessed
the signing.

Imai said IAC was established in the country in 2005 with their
manufacturing operations in Nilai in southern state of Negeri Sembilan.

It is currently relocating to Melaka and is scheduled to begin its
operations end of April this year, he said.

"We are looking forward to working closely with other supporting industries
like CTRM, SMEA, ACM, Spirit Aerospace and many others to achieve our goal," he
said.

IAC was founded in 1947 in Japan and has manufacturing facilities in Korea,
Taiwan, Singapore, Indonesia, India, China and Malaysia.

Meanwhile, Goh said his company was pleased to have IAC as a partner and
that having IAC's extensive business capability and experience reflected its
plans to grow the local aerospace industry.

CESB is a leading integrated manufacturing services provider in Integrated
Manufacturing Operations serving three main market segments namely electronics,
communication and technology - for Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) and
Original Design Manufacture (ODM) customers.

Mohd Ali in his speech expressed hope that the establishment of the
manufacturing facility here would attract other associate companies in the
aerospace industry to Melaka.

"This will give a boost to Melaka as a prominent hub to offer an integrated
array of specialised services for the aerospace industry," he said.
-- BERNAMA