Malaysia And Indonesia Sign MOA Towards Development of ASEAN Car

Malaysia Automotive Institute (MAI) and the Institut Otomotif Indonesia (IOI) have just signed an agreement to foster long-term collaboration in the development of the automotive industry, and with it, towards the development of an ASEAN car.

The Memorandum of Agreement (MoA), focuses on the strategic and working relationship relation between the two automotive institutes in the areas of human capital and supply chain development to enhance capabilities of vendors, market expansion, research collaboration for product technology, including hybrid, electric and next-generation vehicles, process technology, and research on biodiesel.

In March 2018, MAI and IOI organized a joint business matching programme between Malaysian and Indonesian automotive vendors. This programme served as a platform for vendors from both nations to identify potential business partners for greater market access in both countries, plus the necessary technology transfer to enhance their capabilities.

The programme has benefited 10 Malaysian vendors, as they have successfully identified their potential Indonesian business partners from various automotive manufacturing clusters.

The MoA exchange ceremony was witnessed by Darell Leiking, who is the Minister in the Ministry of Trade and Industry (MITI), Malaysia and Mr I Gusti Putu Suryawirwan, Director General for International Industrial Access and Development, Ministry of Industry, Republic of Indonesia.

“This (the MoA between MAI and IOI) is a testament to strong bilateral economic relationships between Malaysia and Indonesia, as mentioned by the Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir during his meeting with President Joko Widodo,” said MITI Minister, Mr Darell.

MAI CEO Dato’ Madani Sahari also said that both automotive institutes will continue to support and facilitate partnerships between both nations’ vendors as well as explore potential market opportunities and the transfer of technology.

Earlier in July, DRB-Hicom mentioned that they were studying on a potential collaboration between Malaysia and Indonesia to produce an ASEAN car. Among the major automotive vendors who are a member of DRB-Hicom group include HICOM-Teck See Manufacturing (plastic products), PHN Industry (metal stamping), and HICOM HBPO (front-end modules).