KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 31 (Bernama) -- The partnership between Weststar GAP Ltd and globally recognised oil and gas leader Santos Australia is a testament to the strong potential for enhanced trade and business ties between Malaysia, Timor-Leste and Australia, said Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz.
The minister said this partnership reflects how both governments are committed to supporting business growth while creating opportunities for innovation, skill development, and regional prosperity.
“This partnership stands as a shining example of what can be achieved when two nations work together towards shared goals.
“This venture also highlights specific Malaysian companies’ increasing role in the global marketplace, a testament to the Malaysian government’s pro-industry, pro-business and pro-investment stance,” he said in his speech during the signing ceremony between Weststar-GAP Aviation LDA and Santos Australia in Timor-Leste today.
Also present at the signing ceremony were Timor-Leste Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources Francisco da Costa Monteiro, Minister of Transport Miguel Marques Gonçalves Manetelu, Weststar-GAP group managing director Tan Sri Syed Azman Syed Ibrahim, and Timor GAP president and chief executive officer Rui Soares.
Through this partnership, Tengku Zafrul also said Weststar GAP will provide essential helicopter transportation services to support Santos’ operations in the Bayu-Undan region of Timor-Leste.
Additionally, the creation of Weststar GAP Ltd, in collaboration with Timor GAP EP, underscores the potential of cross-border ventures to unlock new opportunities for innovation, technology transfer, and capacity building, he said.
“This venture also highlights specific Malaysian companies’ increasing role in the global marketplace, a testament to the Malaysian government’s pro-industry, pro-business and pro-investment stance,” he added.
On another note, Tengku Zafrul said that as Malaysia continues to increase its engagement with Timor-Leste, the country stands ready to provide the necessary support through diplomatic, economic, and trade channels.
“Through the incorporation of Timor-Leste in ASEAN, Malaysia hopes that regional economic growth can be strengthened in a seven inclusive and sustainable manner and that ASEAN will continue to prosper and eventually become the world’s fourth-largest economy by 2030,” he added.
-- BERNAMA
