Upgrade National Aerospace Industry Coordinating Office – minister

KOTA KINABALU: Minister of International Trade and Industry Datuk Darell Leiking yesterday appealed to Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad to upgrade the National Aerospace Industry Coordinating Office (NAICO) under his ministry to an agency.

Leiking also praised NAICO for their hard work in bringing in a total revenue of RM13.5 billion from the Malaysian aerospace industry last year alone despite being underfunded by the government.

He said NAICO was only allocated RM1.5 million annually by the Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI) to cover its operational and promotional expenses.

“That is a huge ratio, RM1.5 million (of annual allocation) to RM13.5 billion in returns.”

Leiking said that in a press conference after officiating at the Malaysia Aerospace Industry Seminar themed ‘Building the Future of Aerospace Ecosystem in Malaysia’ organized by NAICO here yesterday.

He appealed to Dr Mahathir to look into upgrading NAICO to an agency for it to grow on its own.

“In fact, as an agency, they are able to sell intellectual property they acquired along the way with expertise they bring in.

“I urge NAICO not to forget Sabah and Sarawak as well if it becomes an agency.”