GERMAN EXPERTISE WELCOMED
Government open to participation from giants such as VW, BMW and Mercedez-Benz
MALAYSIA has opened its door to German carmakers to help develop the country’s proposed third national car project.
The invitation is being indirectly extended to giants such as Volkswagen AG, BMW AG and Mercedes-Benz, which have major assembling operations in the country.
Deputy International Trade and Industry Minister Ong Kian Ming said many successful German carmakers had been assembling vehicles with high local content in the country.
“If anyone is interested in exploring opportunities from the third national car project, we are open to any suggestions,” he said after the exchange of a memorandum of understanding on the Malaysia-Bavaria Trade and International Cooperation and the soft launch of the East Coast Economic Region Development Council’s (ECERDC) Asia Centre of Excellence for Smart Technologies (ACES), here, yesterday.
Also present were German Ambassador to Malaysia Nikolaus Graf Lambadorff and ECERDC chief executive officer Datuk Seri Jebasingam Issace John.
On whether the government had received proposals from German carmakers, Ong said it would be better to wait for an announcement.
Last week, he said the government had received 14 proposals from the private sector on the proposed car project.
Lambadorff said many might not know that there were many German vehicle brands produced in Malaysia.
“There are at least four German car manufacturers planning to expand operations in Malaysia. They want to explore markets not only in Malaysia but also in Asean countries. However, I have not spoken to them (about the new national car project), so I do not know (their feedback),” he said.
Meanwhile, Jesabingam said the government had invested RM12 million in buildings and facilities for ACES, which will start operations early next year.
“ACES establishment is in line with the government’s aspiration to become a productivity-driven economy, and this centre is not only for Pahang but also for the country and Asean.”
The centre in Gambang is a joint initiative between ECERDC and Germany’s TUM International GmbH. It will provide consultancy and advisory services, 4.0 industry certification and training in smart practices and technologies for Malaysia and Southeast Asian countries.