KUALA LUMPUR: Sirim Bhd, through Sirim QAS International together with Hunan Huasheng International Trade Consultancy, has expanded its certification services to China. 

Sirim president and group chief executive officer Datuk Dr. Ahmad Sabirin Arshad said the expansion was one of many efforts by it to expand internationally.

"With this joint venture, we are making inroads internationally as Sirim has a long history in Malaysia and we are now offering our services abroad.

He added that the Hunan Sirim Huasheng Certification and Inspection Co Ltd was a joint-venture between Sirim QAS with Hunan Huasheng.

"With the joint-venture company set up in China, Sirim QAS International will gain a foothold in the country in providing automotive certification services.

"We see the automotive industry in China is booming by being the world's largest automobile manufacturer accounting for 21 million passenger cars produced in 2021.

"With its large automotive industry, we hope to not only provide certification for vehicles with internal combustion engines but also those of electric vehicles," he said.

Ahmad Sabirin added that the joint venture would be the first baby step of Sirim's inorganic development.

He is hopeful of generating millions of ringgit in revenue in the years to come through the certification services.

He said more similar ventures would be announced in the future, in line with Sirim's effort to go global.

"We have a couple of more programmes which I haven't announced and God willing, next year we will explore more countries and enter new markets," Ahmad Sabirin added.

The joint venture, which is based in Hunan province, is set to begin its operations in January 2023.

It will provide inspection, training activities and certification services especially on the International Automotive Task Force 16949 standard, inspection and training activities.

"This system is developed by the International Automotive Task Force and Sirim QAS International is the sole certification body in Southeast Asia recognised by them."

The launch of Hunan Sirim was officiated by deputy secretary general (investment) of the Ministry of International Trade and Industry Datuk Bahria Mohd Tamil here today.

Also present were Sirim chairman Tan Sri Dr. Ir. Ahmad Tajuddin Ali, and Sirim QAS chief executive officer Nur Fadhilah Muhammad.