Signing of agreement with Malaysian telemetry company

19/10/93

Deputy Premier and Minister for Trade Hendy Cowan today announced the signing of a memorandum of understanding for a joint venture between the Malaysian company Scan Data and Western Australian firm Almos Systems.

The joint venture involves Almos Systems transferring its telemetry (or remote control systems) technology to Scan Data for manufacture in Malaysia and distribution throughout the South East Asian region by a joint venture company.

"What is being developed is a 'win-win' commercial arrangement where Malaysia's strength as an electronics manufacturer is being complemented by Western Australian expertise in software, electronics design and training," Mr Cowan said.

"The joint venture company will also include some research being undertaken in Malaysia involving training of Malaysian technicians by Almos staff.

"For the initial stage, this investment will be funded by some $600,000 in venture capital provided by the Malaysian Technology Development Corporation."

The memorandum of understanding was concluded during a trade mission by information technology and environmental companies to Malaysia, led by the Deputy Premier, at the end of September.

Western Australia and Malaysia work together in the information-technology area under an umbrella agreement of co-operation.

Mr Cowan said: "It is significant that the Government-to-Government relationship which exists between Malaysia and Western Australia has been a significant factor in opening up commercial opportunities and supporting the development of trade in information technology.

"It is particularly pleasing that Almos has been able to negotiate a commercial arrangement in Malaysia, given that the WA Government has previously supported the company with a $100,000 research and development grant.

"Almos Systems and Scan Data are to be congratulated for progressing commercial links and I commend other commercial participants for their achievements during the mission."

Commercial arrangements made during the mission include the development of an investment database by Fountainhead Systems for the Malaysian Federation of Manufacturers; joint marketing by Working Systems and XY Base in Malaysia and the continuation of contracts between the Guthries Group and Western Australian companies including Byronics.

Other developments include negotiations on remote sensing collaboration between the Malaysian Centre for Remote Sensing and Western Australia's $6 million Leeuwin Centre for Earth Sensing Technologies; discussions with the Malaysian Institute of Microelectronic Systems (MIMOS) on open systems technology collaboration and announcement of a contract between Integrated Systems Australia and Petronas, Malaysia.

Media contact: Peter Jackson 222 9595