logo
Malaysia to buy 30 more Boeing jets worth US$9.5 billion

Malaysia to buy 30 more Boeing jets worth US$9.5 billion

The Sun20 hours ago
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia has reaffirmed its commitment to purchase an additional 30 Boeing aircraft worth US$9.5 billion, marking the second phase of a major procurement deal with the United States.
Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz confirmed the move as part of reciprocal trade negotiations between the two nations.
'The government is addressing the trade deficit with the US through strategic procurements, including these aircraft purchases,' he said during a press conference following the US tariff adjustment announcement.
The US recently reduced tariffs on Malaysian exports from 25 per cent to 19 per cent.
Malaysia Aviation Group (MAG) had earlier committed to buying 30 Boeing jets valued at US$9.5 billion in the first phase. The latest order brings the total investment to US$19 billion.
The initial purchase included 18 Boeing 737-8s and 12 Boeing 737-10s, powered by CFM LEAP-1B engines, with an option for 30 additional aircraft.
This deal aligns with Malaysia's strategy to modernise its aviation fleet and strengthen its position in the global aviation market.
Similar agreements have been struck with Japan, the UAE, Indonesia, Cambodia, and Bangladesh as part of broader negotiations to lower US tariffs. - Bernama
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Boeing posts smaller loss as jet deliveries rise
Boeing posts smaller loss as jet deliveries rise

Free Malaysia Today

time30 minutes ago

  • Free Malaysia Today

Boeing posts smaller loss as jet deliveries rise

Wall Street closely tracks aircraft deliveries, because planemakers collect much of their payment when they hand over jets to customers. (Reuters pic) ARLINGTON COUNTY : Boeing reported a smaller second-quarter loss on Tuesday as the US planemaker ramped up jet production and deliveries, recovering from a quality and regulatory crisis and a major strike that halted most production last year. After years of grappling with quality issues and production delays on its flagship 737 MAX, Boeing has cautiously ramped up monthly output this year. In May, the company produced 38 737s. Production has been stable since then, according to the company. 'As we continue to execute our Safety & Quality Plan, there's more stability in our operations,' CEO Kelly Ortberg said in a letter to Boeing employees on Tuesday. The US Federal Aviation Administration had capped the production of Boeing's best selling 737 MAX jets following a mid-air panel blowout in a nearly new jet in January 2024. 'We plan to seek FAA approval to increase to rate 42 when our key performance indicators (KPIs) show that we're ready,' Ortberg added. It has delivered 206 737 MAX jets through the first half of the year. Wall Street closely tracks aircraft deliveries, because planemakers collect much of their payment when they hand over jets to customers. Boeing also increased 787 production at its plant in Charleston, South Carolina, from five aircraft a month to seven a month. Through the first half of the year, the planemaker has booked 668 orders, or 625 net orders after cancellations and conversions. An improvement in deliveries marks a pivotal step in Boeing's effort to rebound from years of production disruptions and crises that piled on debt, highlighting the urgency of accelerating output to restore financial stability. The planemaker posted a net loss of US$612 million, or 92 cents per share, for the quarter through June, compared with US$1.44 billion, or US$2.33 per share, a year earlier. However, the planemaker continues to face pressure from supply chain disruptions that have delayed production and limited its ability to meet surging aerospace demand. It posted a loss of nearly US$12 billion in 2024 due to challenges across its major business units including charges on its defense programs. It also remains exposed to US President Donald Trump's sweeping tariffs, which could increase parts costs and further strain an already fragile supply chain.

Bangladesh secures 20% US tariff for garments, bringing relief to exporters
Bangladesh secures 20% US tariff for garments, bringing relief to exporters

Free Malaysia Today

time35 minutes ago

  • Free Malaysia Today

Bangladesh secures 20% US tariff for garments, bringing relief to exporters

Bangladesh is home to a US$40 billion apparel export sector. (EPA Images pic) DHAKA : Bangladesh has negotiated a 20% tariff on exports to the US, down from the 37% initially proposed by US President Donald Trump, bringing relief to exporters in the world's second-largest garment supplier. The new rate is in line with those offered to other major apparel-exporting countries such as Sri Lanka, Vietnam, Pakistan and Indonesia. India, which failed to reach a comprehensive agreement with Washington, will face a steeper 25% tariff. Trump put steep tariffs on exports from dozens of trading partners, including Canada, Brazil, India and Taiwan, ahead of today's trade deal deadline. 'The outcome secured by Bangladesh – home to a US$40 billion apparel export sector – reflects careful negotiation,' said Khalilur Rahman, national security adviser and lead negotiator. 'Protecting our apparel industry was a top priority, but we also focused our purchase commitments on US agricultural products. 'This supports our food security goals and fosters goodwill with US farming states,' Rahman said. Muhammad Yunus, the head of the country's interim government, called it a 'decisive diplomatic victory'. The readymade garments sector is the backbone of Bangladesh's economy, accounting for more than 80% of total export earnings, employing about 4 million workers, and contributing about 10% to gross domestic product. The prospect of higher US tariffs has rattled Bangladesh's ready-made garments industry, which fears losing competitiveness in one of its largest markets. 'While the 20% tariff will cause some short-term pain, Bangladesh remains better positioned than many of its competitors,' said Mohiuddin Rubel, additional managing director at Denim Expert Ltd, which makes jeans and other items for brands including H&M. Exporters in neighbouring India said the relatively higher tariffs levied would hurt the country's textile exports, as its competitors like Bangladesh, Vietnam and Cambodia got lower tariffs. 'We are hoping that the tariffs will be rationalised. We will have to recalibrate our strategies depending on the final tariff imposed,' said Chintan Thakker, chairman of industry body ASSOCHAM in the state of Gujarat, a major apparel exporter. 'Devil will be in the details' Pakistan, which exported about US$4.1 billion worth of apparel to the US in the 2024 fiscal year, secured a tariff rate of 19%, but industry figures were cautious about the immediate impact. 'Considering India's lower production costs and the likelihood of it negotiating reduced tariffs in the near term, Pakistan is unlikely to either gain or lose a meaningful share in the apparel segment,' Musadaq Zulqarnain, founder and chair of Interloop Limited – a leading Pakistani exporter. 'If the current reciprocal tariff structure holds, significant investment is likely to flow into DR-CAFTA countries and Egypt,' he said, referring to a trade agreement between the US and a group of Caribbean and Central American countries. Elsewhere in South Asia, Sri Lanka also secured a 20% tariff rate from the US, which accounted for 40% of its apparel exports of US$4.8 billion last year. 'The devil will be in the details as there are questions over issues such as transshipment, but overall it's mostly good,' Yohan Lawrence, secretary general of the Joint Apparel Associations Forum, a Sri Lankan industry body, told Reuters.

Tailor strategy to demographic, geographic realities, Johari tells Umno
Tailor strategy to demographic, geographic realities, Johari tells Umno

New Straits Times

time36 minutes ago

  • New Straits Times

Tailor strategy to demographic, geographic realities, Johari tells Umno

PASIR GUDANG: Umno must adopt a dynamic, geographically focused strategy to regain public support, particularly from the youth, said party vice-president Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani. He said the party's current approach needs to move beyond uniform outreach and be tailored to the demographic and geographic realities of each constituency, especially in urban areas such as Kuala Lumpur and Johor Baru. "You can't apply the same strategy across the board anymore. Urban areas require a different kind of engagement than rural ones," Johari said at a press conference today after officiating the Pasir Gudang Umno division delegates' conference. Also present was fellow Umno vice-president and Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin, who heads the Pasir Gudang division. Johari, who is also the Plantation and Commodities Minister and Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Minister, said 40 per cent of Malaysian voters are now youth. He added that most young voters are educated, analytical, and integrity-driven in how they assess political candidates. "They evaluate candidates differently than those who once voted for the founding fathers or for big infrastructure," he said. "Campaigns now must match the mindset of the constituency, not just rely on legacy methods." Johari said the party has increased cooperation with non-governmental organisations (NGOs) as part of a broader strategy to connect with younger voters, a demographic previously under-engaged. "Now you see Umno programmes involving more NGOs. This didn't happen before," he said. "Many of our activities today are youth-focused, but it's not just about organising events. It has to fit the context of each area." He said urban centres demand digital-savvy, grassroots-driven outreach, whereas rural constituencies may still favour personal touch and service delivery. Johari also said there is a need to understand rival parties' strengths when formulating Umno's tactical approach. "Success lies not just in how dynamic Umno becomes, but also in how well we assess the strengths of those contesting against us," he said. He called for fresh political thinking as the party prepares for the next general election, warning that outdated models could cost Umno the support it needs to regain ground. "We must think differently if we want to win back the hearts of voters, especially the young," he added.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store