KUALA LUMPUR: British automotive manufacturers are keen to participate in Malaysia’s third national car project, said the United Kingdom’s Department for International Trade Commissioner for Asia Pacific, Natalie Black.
“One of the reasons we’re here is to find out more about Malaysia’s third national car project. I would say British carmakers are keen to participate in this new project,” she said in an interview, here, recently.
The UK government is looking to boost its trade relations as the country finalises its exit from the European Union (EU) by March next year.
Among the initiatives to promote British trade is the setting up of a focused network of nine Her Majesty’s Trade Commissioners. Black was appointed in June this year to boost its trade in the Asia Pacific.
The other eight appointed to engage with other regional blocks are Emma Wade-Smith for Africa, Simon Penney (Middle East), Richard Burn (China), Jo Crellin (Latin America), Crispin Simon (South Asia), Judith Slater (Eastern Europe and Central Asia), Antony Phillipson (North America) and Andrew Mitchell (Europe).
Black said the new enhanced role is mainly to build on the progress made through trade working groups in Australia, New Zealand and Japan.
The 10 Southeast Asian countries account for £36.5 billion (RM197.95 billion) of trade with the UK last year. Figures showed this was a 10.6 per cent rise from 2016.
Black, who is based in Singapore, was here to lead an Artificial Intelligence (AI) trade delegation to meet Communications and Multimedia Minister Gobind Singh Deo and senior representatives of Malaysia Digital Economy Corp, Kuala Lumpur Business Club and the British Malaysian Chamber of Commerce.
Nine British technology companies that are seeking collaborations with Telekom Malaysia Bhd are ApplianSys, Cambridge Consultants, Digital Shadows, Jazz Networks, Medopad, Metasphere, Opinsta, Replify and Trustonic.
“The UK has an impressive track record in the development and deployment of artificial intelligence and our nine participating companies exemplify British expertise.
“Businesses worldwide, including here, are demanding cutting-edge technology solutions for the modern world. We are ready to deliver, be it in healthcare or engineering,” she said.
Black cited a recent research by venture capital analytics company Dealroom.co for the UK government’s Digital Economy Council.
The UK is home to 15 unicorn companies that have reached US$1 billion (RM4.18 billion) in valuation but have yet to be acquired nor went for initial public offering.
The report estimated 60 unicorns have been created in the UK since 2008 and the pace has accelerated in recent years.