French President Macron announces ‘historic' Airbus-Malaysia Airlines deal
PARIS : French President Emmanuel Macron said on Friday there had been a historic deal between Airbus and Malaysia, as Macron hosted Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim in Paris.
Macron said such deals highlighted the importance of trade between France and Asia, as Europe faces up to likely tariffs from US President Donald Trump.
'I am thinking of the projects signed in the key minerals sector, in the rare earths sector with the company Carester, which has just opened up a factory in the region of Lacq, the transport sector with this historic co-operation between Malaysia Airlines and Airbus, and in the energy transition sector,' said Macron.
Industry sources told Reuters this week that Airbus was close to winning an order from Malaysia Aviation Group for more A330neo long-haul jets.
'Airbus has been our focus. Malaysian Airlines 20 and AirAsia another 50,' added Anwar.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Star
36 minutes ago
- The Star
Anwar and Modi discuss IIT campus in M'sia, investment in future-focused sectors
RIO DE JANEIRO: Malaysia and India have proposed to set up an Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) campus in Malaysia, says Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. The institute is regarded as one of the top higher learning institutions in India. Anwar said Malaysia was committed to strengthening people-to-people ties through collaboration in culture, tourism and education. He said India is exploring investment opportunities in Malaysia's future-focused sectors – the digital economy, artificial intelligence, renewable energy, and aerospace. ALSO READ: AI must serve development, not dominate, PM Anwar tells BRICS summit Anwar, who had a bilateral meeting with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the sidelines of the ongoing 17th BRICS Summit, said: 'We explored the great potential to expand strategic cooperation between Malaysia and India across various areas, including trade, investment, digital technology and defence.' Both parties, he said, emphasised the importance of ensuring regional peace and stability. Both also voiced support for just and peaceful resolutions to international issues such as Palestine and Jammu‑Kashmir. Malaysia, Anwar said, welcomed efforts to reinforce the Asean-India relationship ahead of the Asean-India Summit this October. ALSO READ: Govt committed to strengthening aerospace ecosystem, says PM Anwar Anwar also had a bilateral meeting with Republic of South Africa President Cyril Ramaphosa. They spoke about reassessing various forms of cooperation across different fields and devising steps to expand strategic investments in sectors such as agriculture, automotive, tourism and the halal industry. Anwar also expressed appreciation for South Africa's support for the Palestinian people's struggle, including its tireless efforts at the International Court of Justice (ICJ). Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel for breaking news alerts and key updates!
The Star
an hour ago
- The Star
AI must serve development, not dominate, PM Anwar tells BRICS summit
RIO DE JANEIRO: Malaysia is championing the establishment of an Asean AI Safety Network, a regional initiative to strengthen governance and capacity in this domain, says Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. The Prime Minister, who is also Asean chair, said Malaysia welcomed the BRICS' efforts in AI Governance, adding: "We support a vision of artificial intelligence that serves development, not domination – one that embeds ethics, reduces inequality, and respects human dignity." Anwar was speaking at the BRICS Leaders' Summit at the Museum of Modern Art (MAM) here on Sunday (July 6). Also in attendance were Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Tengku Zafrul Aziz and Transport Minister Anthony Loke. Earlier, the Prime Minister was received by Brazilian President Lula Silva upon arrival. Anwar said the meeting was held as the international order was under severe strain. The institutions meant to uphold cooperation were, he said, "faltering under the weight of new realities." "Trade is increasingly shaped by politics. Technology is framed by security. And the rules that once governed global engagement are being selectively applied or ignored," he said. Malaysia's position is straightforward - multilateralism is vital for global stability, shared prosperity, and sovereign dignity, he said. The Prime Minister said that for multilateralism to endure, it must do more than express common values. "It must deliver tangible outcomes. It must respond to the realities of a world where markets are fragmenting faster than rules can adapt." He said Asean was not passive and that economic fragmentation was intensifying - tariffs, decoupling, and shifting alliances were reshaping trade flows once thought stable. Malaysia, Anwar said, was advancing a strategy that favoured diversification over dependency, resilience over fragility, and regional agency over external prescription. "We therefore welcome BRICS' commitment to an inclusive, rules-based trading system. Malaysia's 2025 Asean Chairmanship theme – "Inclusivity and Sustainability" – aligns closely with those priorities." Anwar said the party which shaped the digital future was the question now. Technology, he noted, is now splitting along geopolitical lines. "Export controls, national security restrictions and diverging standards are creating parallel systems." Anwar also spoke about the need to stop genocide in Gaza and atrocities in Iran.
Malay Mail
an hour ago
- Malay Mail
Petronas Gas restores supply to Shah Alam, Connaught Bridge after bypass pipeline completed
KUALA LUMPUR, July 7 — Petronas Gas Bhd (PGB) has fully restored natural gas supply to Batu Tiga, Shah Alam, and Connaught Bridge following the successful commissioning of its newly constructed bypass pipeline on July 1, 2025. The gas infrastructure and utilities company said the operation was carried out after fulfilling all engineering, operational, and regulatory safety requirements, including the issuance of a permit to operate (PTO) by the Occupational Safety and Health Department (DOSH). 'With natural gas powering between 40 per cent to 50 per cent of Malaysia's electricity, PGB remains focused on ensuring the public feels secure living near this critical infrastructure — a responsibility the company embraces as part of its commitment to safe, reliable energy for all,' it said in a statement today. PGB said as part of its safety-first philosophy, the company has implemented enhanced engineering reinforcements at the bypass section in Putra Heights, including advanced sensors to detect soil and pipe movement, exceeding standard requirements. To ensure long-term stability and structural integrity, sheet piling and engineered support structures were also installed to safeguard the pipeline, ensuring safe, secure, and uninterrupted performance. The company also said a new permanent pipeline is currently being designed with enhanced safety features and will be installed on deep-piled slab foundations, offering greater structural resistance to soil movement and unpredictable ground shifts, given the specific risks in the area due to surrounding development. It noted that the layout will also include new shut-off valves to allow shorter isolation distances in the unlikely event of an emergency. In addition to restoring supply, the company has disbursed more than RM2 million in ex-gratia and humanitarian aid through local authorities, including RM1.38 million in direct assistance to affected families and a RM25 million contribution via the Housing and Local Government Ministry for home reconstruction. PGB also carried out precautionary assessments along other sections of the 2,680-kilometre Peninsular Gas Utilisation (PGU) pipeline to ensure system-wide integrity. These efforts involved the use of inspection tools such as Geopig and Magnetic Flux Leakage (MFL) technology, complemented by targeted visual inspections at selected segments. The company confirmed that to date, no other locations exhibit risk characteristics similar to those identified in Putra Heights. — Bernama
