Russia's interest in building a rocket launch facility in Sarawak

KUCHING, Oct 27: Russia sees Sarawak as a potential location for development of rocket launch centers including cooperation in facility construction, local expertise development and joint satellite production.

Ambassador of the Russian Federation to Malaysia, Naiyl M. Latypov said the geographical position of Sarawak was among the factors that attracted Russia to explore cooperation in the aerospace sector with the Sarawak Government, Sarawak Space Agency and local higher education institutions.

According to him, the proposal not only involves the use of Russian rocket launch technology but also requires infrastructure development as well as skilled local labour.

"It's not just bringing a rocket here and launching it. We need complete facilities and local companies can play a role in developing those facilities, thus creating employment opportunities for the locals", he said.

He said this at a press conference after his visit to honour the Sarawak Premier, Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg, at Satria Pertiwi Complex, here today.

Latypov explained that local talent development was an important component of the partnership including the opportunity to send Malaysian students to further their studies in aerospace in Russia as well as establishing links between i-CATS University and Moscow Aviation Institute (MAI).

He said that Russia is also ready to explore cooperation with Sarawak university in satellite development based on previous experience of developing two satellites together with Malaysian higher education institutions launched using Russian rockets.

"We have developed satellites together with higher education institutions in Penang, and I believe a similar collaboration can also be implemented in Sarawak", he said.

In addition to the aerospace sector, the two sides also discussed potential cooperation in the energy sector especially hydroelectric, solar and biosystems, including exchange of expertise and technology between Sarawak and Russian territories.

Latypov said that Russia is interested in learning about Sarawak's experience in renewable energy development, while Sarawak has the opportunity to leverage Russian experience in building large and small-scale hydroelectric plants.

In the agricultural sector, he said, Russia expressed interest in Sarawak's expertise in veterinary, food and animal medicine production as well as rice cultivation technology.

"This cooperation could also involve farmers, research centers and industrial players on both sides", he said.

According to him, the potential cooperation also includes the shipbuilding industry, given that Russia is interested in leveraging the experience and capabilities of this industry in Sarawak.

In order to ensure that the discussions translate into action, Latypov said, both sides agreed on the need for a follow-up meeting between experts in energy, agriculture, aerospace and shipbuilding.

He also invited the Prime Minister of Sarawak or a delegation of the Government of Sarawak to attend several economic and industrial forums in Russia including the Russian-Islamic World Forum: Kazan and the Innoprom industry exhibition, as well as the International Municipal Forum scheduled to take place at the end of November.

According to him, such a follow-up approach is essential for identifying collaborative opportunities that can be implemented in practice, including through the involvement of research institutions, universities and the private sector.