KUALA LUMPUR, March 15 — The involvement of the Ministry of Science, Technology, and Innovation (MOSTI) in leading the Space Tech Nexus at Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition 2023 (LIMA23) is expected to further strengthen the strategic cooperation network of Malaysia’s space sector with local and international industry players.

Minister Chang Lih Kang said for the first time MOSTI, through the Malaysian Space Agency (MYSA), will lead the Space Tech Nexus which will take place from May 23 to 27.

"Space Tech Nexus includes the Langkawi International Space Forum (LISF) 2023, MoU (memorandum of understanding) signings, bilateral talks, commercial exhibitions, technology updates and more," he said at a press conference after chairing the first National Space Committee Meeting (JANGKA) for 2023, here today.

Also present at the meeting were MOSTI secretary-general Datuk Dr Aminuddin Hassim, deputy secretary-general (Development and Technology) Datuk Dr Mohd Nor Azman Hassan and MYSA director-general Azlikamil Napiah.

Meanwhile, Chang said the space sector was expected to contribute up to RM10 billion to the country's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) by 2030, through the implementation of the National Space Policy Action Plan 2030 otherwise known as Malaysia Space Exploration 2030 (MSE2030).

Besides that, MSE2030 is also expected to create more than 5,000 high-skilled job opportunities during that period, he added.

On JANGKA, Chang said it was an important mechanism in coordinating all space-related activities in Malaysia with the main objective of ensuring that the development of the space sector can be carried out in a planned and more effective manner.

"The development of the space sector also gives great returns to the country in terms of generating new knowledge, scientific exploration, wealth, community well-being and national security and sovereignty," he said.

The meeting was attended by representatives from various ministries, departments and relevant agencies involved in the implementation of the National Space Policy 2030. — Bernama