Invest Gatwick Diamond and Invest Selangor have agreed a framework focused on a dynamic new, closer working future. The agreement was part of a historic first-ever Malaysian delegation visit to Crawley Innovation Centre on 17 July to strengthen collaboration on inward investment, trade and business development between the Gatwick Diamond region and the Malaysian state of Selangor.
The event brought together political leaders, investment officials and businesses from both regions. The delegation was led by Selangor Chief Minister YAB Dato’ Seri Amirudin Shari and included YB Ng Sze Han, State Executive Councillor for Investment, Trade and Mobility, as well as representatives from Invest Selangor, Menteri Besar Selangor (Incorporation), Permodalan Negeri Selangor Berhad (PNSB Aero), and other state organisations.
The framework agreement establishes a new basis for collaboration between Invest Gatwick Diamond and Invest Selangor to promote investment opportunities, encourage trade links and support companies seeking to establish or expand operations in the UK and Malaysia. Areas identified for future collaboration include aerospace, advanced manufacturing, digital technology, logistics, innovation, skills development and sustainable aviation.
Brett North, Executive Director of Invest Gatwick Diamond, said: “We enjoyed an amazing day with the delegation from Selangor in Malaysia. More than 50 business leaders and owners in one room created a wonderful, optimistic vision of the future between our two dynamic regions. The first step is this broad agreement creates a direct connection between two regions that are both built around international connectivity, innovation and investment.
“We want businesses in the Gatwick Diamond to have practical routes into one of Southeast Asia’s strongest economies, while making it easier for Malaysian companies to explore opportunities here. The real value will come from businesses building relationships, creating new opportunities and growing together. And we want businesses in both regions to know we are committed to making this happen.“
The agreement formed part of a programme hosted at Crawley Innovation Centre, where representatives from both organisations discussed trade, aerospace, advanced manufacturing, innovation, skills and future investment opportunities. The event also included a regional business roundtable attended by businesses and public sector organisations from across the Gatwick Diamond.
Cllr Bella Sankey, Chair of the Sussex & Brighton Strategic Authority and Leader of Brighton & Hove Council said: “Sussex is a place that businesses from around the world actively choose to call home, and we were able to showcase to the trade delegation from Malaysia exactly why. With three universities and a further education colleges producing the skilled, ambitious apprentices and graduates that growing companies need, nearly 74,000 businesses innovating in areas such as advanced manufacturing, AI and electronics, located within an hour of London with two major Ports and the country’s second busiest airport there is no better place in the UK to invest. The businesses that come to Sussex & Brighton find a dynamic economy of real strength and depth and a quality of life that means their people choose to stay. We hope today is the beginning of a long relationship between Sussex and Malaysia.”
Richard Lennard, Economic and Community Partnerships Manager at London Gatwick and Co-Chair of the Gatwick Region Airport Economic Zone said: “London Gatwick connects businesses, people and markets across the world every day, so strengthening relationships with regions such as Selangor is a natural step. The launch of a new four-times-weekly service between London Gatwick and Kuala Lumpur from 28 August will further strengthen those connections, creating new opportunities for trade, investment and collaboration between the UK and Malaysia. By working more closely, we can help businesses on both sides build partnerships, explore new markets and support investment that benefits our regional economies.”
The Gatwick Airport Economic Zone is an economic region stretching from London to the south coast, centred on London Gatwick Airport, with 5.3 million residents, around 3.2 million working-age people, supports approximately 2.7 million jobs and generates an economy worth more than £160 billion annually. The framework agreement provides a basis for future joint investment promotion, business engagement and support for companies expanding between the UK and Malaysia.