21/05/2025

BIZ & FINANCE WEDNESDAY | MAY 21, 2025

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Malaysian Paper

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Foreigners lead Langkawi tourist arrivals

featuring participants sailing all the way from Australia. We also have scheduled the social regatta and the Raja Muda Selangor International Regatta. These are all part of our annual calendar of events. Beyond sailing, Langkawi is proud to host inter national competitions such as the Ironman triathlon. This year marks the 10th edition of the Ironman event, which last year attracted over 2,000 participants. Our target for this year is to exceed 3,000 parti cipants. “Furthermore, the Langkawi International Half Marathon is another major sporting event on our schedule. Last year, it drew approxi mately 4,000 participants, high lighting the growing appeal of Langkawi as a destination for inter national sporting events,” Haslina said. She added that according to the organiser of this year’s event, the registration website was open for

less than an hour before attracting about 6,500 participants. This exceeded the initial target of 5,000, demonstrating strong interest and demand. Haslina noted that Langkawi is set to host several international sporting events, including an inter national soccer tournament for schools in Malaysia and an up coming international seven-a-side rugby competition. Additionally, an international tennis event is scheduled for next year. “In total, last year we organised approximately 49 programmes, with around 70% of these being international in nature. This demon strates the island’s growing repu tation as a hub for global events. “Moreover, the cost of living and activities in Langkawi remains affordable and manageable, coun tering the common perception that it is an expensive destination,” Haslina said. LANGKAWI: National Aerospace Industry Corporation Malaysia (Naico Malaysia) signed four memorandums of under standing (MoU) to advance Malaysia’s aerospace sector and reinforce the nation’s agenda for building a resilient, competitive and future-ready sector. Naico Malaysia established strategic partnerships with Perkeso (Social Security Organisation), Exim Bank Malaysia Bhd, MBSB Bank Bhd and i-CATS University College. The MoUs reflect Naico Malaysia’s focus on ecosystem streamlining, ensuring companies have access to financial instruments, skilled human capital, and regulatory support. “These partnerships and recognitions are not only timely – they are strategic. They demonstrate our shared commitment to drive sustainable talent development, enhance supply chain integration, and propel Malaysia’s aerospace industry to new heights under MAIB 2030 and NIMP 2030,” Naico Malaysia CEO Professor Shamsul Kamar Abu Samah said at the signing. The event also witnessed the launch of the AeroPN Tech-Up Financing Programme by Malaysia Productivity Corporation (MPC). This initiative aims to support aerospace SMEs in scaling up technological capabilities and improving operational efficiency. In line with Malaysia’s aerospace quality transformation goals, the ceremony featured the presentation of AS9100 Aerospace Quality Management Systems Certificates by Sirim QAS to several local aerospace companies. These certifications are key to Malaysia’s ambition of integrating deeper into the global aerospace supply chain. They reflect a collective industry commitment to excellence, compliance, and global competitiveness. Naico Malaysia said it remains committed to its role as the industry development agency under the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry, bridging government, industry and academia to realise Malaysia’s ambition to become the leading aerospace hub in Southeast Asia. - by JOHN GILBERT Naico Malaysia forges strategic tie-ups to boost aerospace sector

and assist in promoting the island. When asked, she said the budget allocation for these initiatives varies, depending on the specific pro gramme. “Beyond promotional efforts, we also engage in community-based programmes aimed at preserving and showcasing local culture. “In response to inquiries events. For example, the annual regatta takes place from January through March, attracting participants and spectators from around the world,” Haslina said when asked about sailing events for this year. This year, Langkawi will host several prestigious sailing events, including the Royal Regatta and the Regatta Pergana for youth, she said. “We also have Sail Malaysia, about international events, we do organise such acti vities, including sailing

o Lada emphasising unique experiences and offerings that distinguish island from other places in wooing local visitors, says development authority CEO

Ű BY JOHN GILBERT sunbiz@thesundaily.com

Langkawi. In facing this challenge, we are em phasising that the unique experiences and offerings available here distinguish us significantly from other locations,” Langkawi De velopment Authority (Lada) CEO Datuk Haslina Abdul Hamid ( pic ) told SunBiz at the ongoing 17th Langkawi

LANGKAWI: Foreigners continue to make up the majority of tourist arrivals in Langkawi, accounting for about 60% compared to locals as the island is poised to attract even more international visitors this year through a series of global events. “Since last year, foreign visitors have accounted for approximately 60% of the total tourist arrivals, surpassing local tourists. “We have seen reports indicate a growing preference among Malay sians for other destinations over

International Maritime and Aero space Exhibition (Lima 2025) here. Haslina said Lada has been actively inviting key individuals from other countries, including artistes and professionals, to visit Langkawi

Ministry signs 4 contracts worth RM1.469b at Lima 2025 LANGKAWI: The Ministry of Home Affairs (KDN) signed four contracts with local and foreign companies with a total value of RM1.469 billion at the Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition 2025 (Lima 2025), here yesterday. general Datuk Awang Alik Jeman together with representatives of local and foreign companies at Mahsuri International Exhibition Centre here yesterday. protected,” it said. Meanwhile, KDN said that among the high impact contracts signed were the acquisition of a multi-purpose mission ship and the acquisition of completing the remaining work on offshore patrol vessels OPV 2 and OPV 3 for MMEA.

The ceremony was witnessed by Deputy Home Minister Datuk Seri Dr Shamsul Anuar Nasarah, Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Razarudin Husain and MMEA director-general Admiral Datuk Mohd Rosli Abdullah. The Ministry of Home Affairs in the statement also said the ceremony is also symbolic of the government’s efforts to ensure that national security is protected from all threats by prioritising the acquisition of strategic assets, in addition to supporting the theme of Lima 2025, which is “Today’s Innovation, Tomorrow’s Achievements”. “KDN hopes that with this effort, it will remain committed to ensuring national security is

In a statement, KDN announced that the signing ceremony involved four contract documents as well as the submission of letters of acceptance (LoA) and letters of intent (LoI) for the procurement of supplies and services under KDN. “A total of four contracts worth RM1.187 billion were signed and one LoI (RM298.5 million) and one LoA (RM87.099 million) respectively were submitted involving agencies under KDN, namely the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) and the Royal Malaysian Police,” the statement said. The KDN contract was signed by its secretary

“Another contract that was also signed was between MMEA and a local company, Galaxy Aerospace (M) Sdn Bhd for the procurement of four MMEA medium lift helicopters worth RM529.662 million,” the statement said. KDN also said it is committed to placing national security aspects and the needs of departments and agencies under the ministry as the main agenda, especially in procurement planning to ensure national security assets and the operations of departments and agencies under the ministry are always at a high level of readiness. – Bernama

Malaysia Airlines’ Airbus A330neo making its first flight.

Malaysia Aviation Group selects Airbus FHS for A330neo maintenance PETALING JAYA: Malaysia Aviation Group (MAG) has reaffirmed its trust in Airbus’ industry leading Flight Hour Services (FHS) by extending the programme to cover its new fleet of Airbus A330neo. maintenance activities. The agreement solidifies Airbus FHS as the primary maintenance support, since 2017, for the Airbus fleet operated by Malaysia Airlines, which also includes the A330ceo and the A350 aircraft. excellence, and we are proud to support the new A330neo fleet with solutions designed to ensure a smooth entry into service.”

Airbus FHS provides flexible, comprehensive maintenance solutions designed to empower airlines to maximise fleet performance while minimising total operational costs. By harnessing Airbus’ global expertise, cutting edge technologies, and data-driven insights, the service ensures optimised efficiency and reliability for airline operations.

The long-term power-by-the-hour contract covers integrated component services, including on-site stock, pool access and repair services. The airline will also benefit from Airbus’ engineering expertise and FHS regional representatives to support the daily

Airbus head of commercial services Asia Pacific Balinda Zhang said: “We are honoured by Malaysia Aviation Group’s ongoing trust in Airbus Flight Hour Services. This collaboration reflects MAG’s dedication to operational