Strengthens Investment Ties Between Malaysia and the UK

MIDA London strengthened engagement with UK businesses, industry stakeholders and regional authorities through a series of high-impact promotional activities in July, held in conjunction with the Selangor State Government Investment Mission to the United Kingdom and the Farnborough International Airshow (FIA) 2026.

The engagements provided opportunities to promote Malaysia’s investment strengths and aerospace capabilities, while exploring potential collaboration across high-value sectors.

As part of the UK mission, MIDA London joined the Selangor State Government delegation for a business and investment engagement at Crawley Innovation Centre, bringing together more than 16 companies, regional authorities, and industry leaders from the Crawley and Gatwick area.

The delegation included the CEO of Invest Selangor, Dato’ Hasan Azhari Hj Idris, CEO of Permodalan Negeri Selangor Berhad (PNSB), YM Raja Ahmad Shahrir Iskandar Raja Salim, Group CEO of Selangor State Development Corporation (PKNS), Dato’ Mahmud Abbas and representatives from Gatwick Diamond Business.

The session highlighted Malaysia’s investment strengths, with a particular focus on Selangor’s well-established industrial ecosystem, skilled workforce, world-class infrastructure, and opportunities in aerospace, advanced manufacturing, medical technology, and digital industries. Representatives from the UK Department for Business and Trade, Sussex and Brighton Combined Authority, Kent and Surrey authorities, and Gatwick Diamond Business also shared insights into the South East England economy.

The programme included site visits to Elekta, a leading UK medical technology company, and Gatwick Airport, with discussions covering potential collaboration in aerospace, logistics, and regional economic development.

MIDA London and Invest Selangor also hosted a Roundtable Engagement Session with 18 UK companies and industry organisations, connecting the Selangor delegation with British businesses interested in the aerospace, machinery, automotive, and services sectors. The CEO of MATRADE, YBhg. Dato’ Indera Abu Bakar Bin Yusof, together with representatives from Menteri Besar Incorporated (MBI), Permodalan Negeri Selangor Berhad (PNSB), and PKNS, also participated in the session.

Building on these engagements, Invest Selangor has invited Gatwick Diamond Business to lead a UK business delegation to the Selangor International Business Summit (SIBS) 2026 in October. Discussions are also underway to formalise cooperation through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), covering investment promotion, trade facilitation, and business matching.

MIDA London subsequently participated in the Farnborough International Airshow (FIA) 2026, held from 20-24 July, one of the world’s premier aerospace events. The event welcomed more than 141,000 visitors from 136 countries, bringing together aerospace manufacturers, technology providers, suppliers, investors and other industry stakeholders from around the world. 

Working alongside MATRADE and NAICO Malaysia, MIDA promoted Malaysia’s aerospace capabilities through the Malaysia Pavilion, featuring 15 Malaysian companies and agencies. Engagements with global aerospace manufacturers, technology providers, suppliers and investors highlighted Malaysia’s established aerospace ecosystem, skilled talent, supportive investment environment and strategic location within ASEAN.

Beyond business networking, FIA 2026 highlighted several developments shaping the future of global aerospace industry, with potential opportunities for Malaysia to strengthen its position in high-value aerospace activities, including:

• Supply chain diversification and resilience

• Artificial intelligence, automation, and digital manufacturing

• Sustainable aviation technologies

• Advanced Air Mobility (AAM)

• Defence and dual-use technologies

• Talent development and workforce upskilling

These trends align closely with Malaysia’s efforts to expand high-value manufacturing, strengthen aerospace capabilities, and attract next-generation investments.

As part of FIA 2026, MIDA London participated in the Malaysia Aerospace Capabilities Seminar, where Dr. Mohd Khalid Mohd Nor, Senior Vice President, National Aerospace Industry Corporation Malaysia (NAICO) and Mrs. Nurullydia Ahmad, Director of MIDA London, presented Malaysia’s aerospace ecosystem and investment opportunities.

Malaysian companies Paradigm Aerospace Sdn. Bhd. and CG Global Profastex Manufacturing Sdn. Bhd. Also presented their products and capabilities to members of the UK’s ADS Group and other industry participants, generating positive interest in potential business collaboration.

The series of engagements provided MIDA London with opportunities to deepen relationships with UK stakeholders, promote Malaysia’s investment and aerospace capabilities, and identify potential areas for business collaboration. 

With continued interest in areas such as supply chain diversification, advanced manufacturing, digitalisation and sustainable aviation, MIDA London will continue working closely with MIDA Headquarters, overseas offices, state investment agencies, and industry partners to facilitate business connections and support potential investment opportunities between Malaysia and the United Kingdom.