Launch of locally-built light aircraft in Perth

5/10/93

The launch of a new locally-built light aircraft in Perth exemplified the growing level of co-operation between Western Australian and Malaysian business, Deputy Premier Hendy Cowan said today.

Mr Cowan, the Minister for Commerce and Trade, said the single engined, two-seater Eagle X-TS Very Light Aircraft had been designed and built at Eagle Aircraft's Henderson factory, south of Fremantle, with the benefit of Malaysian investment.

"The Eagle project is precisely the sort of sophisticated, high-technology product which WA industry is capable of putting on world markets," he said.

Mr Cowan, who returned from Malaysia on the weekend, said today's launch highlighted the two-way nature of growing trade between that country and WA.

"In Malaysia, I accompanied representatives of 21 Australian companies involved in information technology and environmental management who were exploring or developing export opportunities there," he said.

"The Eagle Aircraft project, on the other hand, involves Malaysian investment in Western Australia which has enabled a leading edge aerospace industry to flourish, with jobs for 80 people.

"It represents a new dimension in our trade relationship.

"Western Australian exports to Malaysia amounted to $162 million in 1991-92, compared with imports of $91.8 million. The biggest export items were traditional commodities such as food, live animals and wool, while our imports were largely made up of clothing and apparel and other manufactured goods.

"It is important that our trade relationship becomes more diversified."

Mr Cowan said the Eagle aircraft had been discussed during his talks with Malaysia's Minister for Science, Technology and the Environment, Datuk Law Hieng Ding, in Kuala Lumpur last week.

"There is very high interest at government level in Malaysia about this project, with plans to ultimately produce the aircraft there as well," he said.

Eagle Aircraft is jointly owned by two Government-related Malaysian companies - Petronas and Composite Technology Research Malaysia (CTRM}.

Mr Cowan said he hoped the unveiling of the Eagle X-TS would be the first step in a long line of successful Eagle Aircraft products produced in Western Australia.

Media contact: Peter Jackson 222 9595