malaysiang
KUALA LUMPUR: Ukraine views Malaysia as a key entry point for expanding collaborations in the ASEAN region’s unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) and drone sectors, said Ukraine’s deputy economy minister, Taras Kachka. Noting Malaysia’s strong digital economy, Kachka also said that the country is the most advanced in ASEAN regarding infrastructure, semiconductor spare parts supply, and skilled manpower.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Kachka remarked that discussions on potential collaborations are ongoing between companies from both nations. He highlighted that the advancement of UAVs in Ukraine is naturally connected to defense and security, but their usage was also strong for civil purposes such as agriculture. He emphasized the high usage of UAVs in Ukraine, which utilizes extensive engineering resources, thereby enabling the knowledge developed in Ukraine to be used in Malaysia. Kachka noted the importance of supporting cooperation in this area to establish strong supply chains for spare parts and further en
gineer development to modernize products.
Meanwhile, the Charge d’Affaires ad interim of the Embassy of Ukraine in Malaysia, Denys Mykhailiuk, highlighted that Malaysian companies have shown strong interest in UAV technology, particularly for border surveillance in dense jungle areas, which are challenging to patrol with manpower alone. Mykhailiuk clarified that the focus is on surveillance drones rather than military ones, indicating ongoing talks between companies.
Kachka, on a working visit to Malaysia from October 31 to November 2, 2024, co-chaired the inaugural Malaysia-Ukraine Joint Trade Committee (JTC) meeting with Deputy Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Liew Chin Tong. The meeting aimed to discuss key sectors, including agriculture, aerospace, sustainable palm oil, medical devices, and tourism, thereby establishing a strong foundation for expanding economic partnerships amidst geopolitical challenges.
Separately, Mykhailiuk revealed that Ukraine plans to open two additional Halal hubs withi
n the country, supported by Malaysia. Currently, Ukraine has a Halal hub certified by the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (JAKIM). Discussions have taken place with Malaysia, reaching an understanding that Halal certification in Ukraine would be recognized by Malaysian authorities. This is vital for Ukraine’s export markets in North Africa and Gulf Cooperation Council countries, which demand Halal certification, providing direct marketing opportunities for Malaysia.
