The Boeing Company co-sponsored a conference with the Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA) on May 2 in St. Louis to showcase current business opportunities in Malaysia and to discuss the goals of Malaysian industry. Conference attendees included representatives from 75 Malaysian and US companies.

“Strategic and cultural alliances are shifting back to markets in Asia,” said former US Senator Christopher “Kit” Bond, who spoke at the conference. “Establishing partnerships with Malaysian industry is critical in capturing new opportunities. Malaysia has transformed into a competitive, high-tech economy that is actively seeking areas of mutual collaboration in the medical, technology, and aerospace industries.”

Boeing’s involvement with Malaysia dates back to 1947 and continues today through a variety of programmes, including the country’s fleet of F/A-18D Hornets, Harpoon Weapon System, MEASAT satellites, training programmes, and commercial aircraft. Most recently, Insitu Pacific, a wholly owned subsidiary of Insitu and Boeing, announced a contract for the ScanEagle unmanned aircraft system in Malaysia and a partnership with Composites Technology Research Malaysia to provide in-country support for ScanEagle operations.

In addition to improving its intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities with ScanEagle, Malaysia also is looking to bolster its fighter capability. Boeing is offering the next-generation F/A-18E/F Super Hornet in Malaysia’s multi-role combat aircraft competition.