• Malaysia attracted RM225.0 billion of approved investments in services (RM117.7 billion), manufacturing (RM99.8 billion), and primary sectors (RM7.5 billion). This is a 6.6% increase as compared to RM211.0 billionapproved investments in the same period last year.
• Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) accounted for a substantial 55.9% or RM125.7 billion of the total approved investments, while Domestic Direct Investment (DDI) contributed 44.1% or RM99.3 billion. DDI recorded an impressive surge of 45.2% as compared to the same period last year.
• The services sector emerged as the clear frontrunner, commanding a significant share of RM117.7 billion or 52.3% of the total approved investments.
• Top five (5) sources of FDI was led by The Netherlands (RM35.0 billion), Singapore (RM20.4 billion, The United States (RM18.9 billion) The People’s Republic of China (PRC) (RM11.6 billion) and Japan (RM11.2 billion).
• Five (5) states that have recorded significant investment value to the total approved investments include Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur (RM48.9 billion), Pulau Pinang (RM44.9 billion), Selangor (RM41.6 billion), Kedah (RM22.6 billion) and Johor (RM20.0 billion).
• With an impressive number of 3,949 projects approved, a 35.3% increase as compared to Jan-Sept 2022, these approved projects will generate 89,495 new jobs in the country.

Kuala Lumpur, 6 December 2023 – Malaysia’s investment facilitation efforts have helped attract RM225.0 billion in approved investments across the services, manufacturing, and primary sectors for the period from January to September 2023. This 6.6% increase in value, backed by 3,949 investment projects, is set to unlock 89,495 new job opportunities, showcasing Malaysia’s resilience on the back of prevailing global operational uncertainties across various industries.

Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) constituted 55.9% of the total approved investments at RM125.7 billion. The Netherlands emerged as the leading source of FDI, contributing RM35.0 billion. Notably, Malaysia also attracted substantial investments from Singapore (RM20.4 billion), the United States (RM18.9 billion), the People’s Republic of China (PRC) (RM11.6 billion), and Japan (RM11.2 billion). This diversity in the investors’ base highlights Malaysia’s universal appeal as a strategic hub, particularly for the ASEAN region.

Domestic Direct Investment (DDI), on the other hand, contributed RM99.3 billion, or 44.1% of the total approved investments. This represents an impressive increase of 45.2% year-on-year, a testament to local players’ confidence in the country’s prospects.

Five (5) states which garnered significant investment values are Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur (RM48.9 billion) Pulau Pinang (RM44.9 billion), Selangor (RM41.6 billion), Kedah (RM22.6 billion), and Johor (RM20.0 billion), Collectively, these states accounted for 60.2% of the total approved investments for the reporting period.

YB Senator Tengku Datuk Seri Utama Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz, Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry (MITI), said, “RM225 billion, which represents a 6.6% increase year-on-year, is Malaysia’s best achievement for the corresponding period over the past decade, and a marked increase against the 10-year average of RM222.6 billion for approved private investments. This achievement is a testament to Malaysia’s continued attractiveness as an investment destination, as well as our collaborative whole-of-government and the whole-of-nation efforts in attracting, facilitating and retaining investments, while enhancing the ease of doing businessunder the MADANI Economy framework.”

“Investment inflow from countries such as The Netherlands, Singapore, the United States, China, and Japan reflect the type of high-tech, strategic investments that Malaysia is targeting from global players. But this is no time for complacency. MITI and its agency, MIDA, will continue to position Malaysia as a highly viable and stable destination to strategically capture more inflows from the redesigning of supply chains in the global investment landscape, in line with our industrial transformation as stipulated in the New Industrial Master Plan (NIMP) 2030,” added Tengku Zafrul.

Services Sector Dominance

The prominence of Malaysia’s services sector has grown steadily over time. This sector led the way in terms of approved investments from January to September 2023, accounting for RM117.7 billion or 52.3% of the total approvals. It is expected to create 40,607 new jobs, which also reflects the sector’s attractiveness for investments.

Of the total approved investments in the services sector, RM78.7 billion or 66.8% came from DDI. This also underscores the confidence of domestic players in policy continuity and stability under the MADANI Government. The remaining 33.2% or RM39.0 billion were from foreign sources.

The Information and Communications (ICT) was the largest recipient of investments in the services sector, with RM45.6 billion approved. Other major sub-sectors were Real Estate (RM44.4 billion) Distributive Trade (RM9.2 billion), Utilities (RM6.3 billion), and Financial Services (RM6.0 billion).

In line with the transition to the green agenda as outlined in the National Transition Energy Roadmap (NETR) and the New Industrial Master Plan (NIMP) 2030, investments in green technology have grown significantly, by 24.6% to RM1.5 billion year-on-year. These investments encompass various green technology initiatives, including renewable energy generation, energy conservation, waste management, green buildings, and green services.

Notable Ventures: Paving the Way for a Digital Economy Hub

In the services sector, one of the standout ventures include Envico Enterprises Sdn. Bhd., a strategic regional establishment within Malaysia’s dynamic services sector and a division of The Valiram Group – a local retailer specialist. Positioned as a crucial hub for expansion, Envico embodies Malaysia’s potential on the global stage with a steadfast determination to sustained growth and excellence, echoing the principles of prosperity and sustainability.

Diversification Propels Malaysia’s Manufacturing Sector

The manufacturing sector in Malaysia attracted a total of RM99.8 billion in approved investments, accounting for 44.4% of the total approved investments across all sectors. This marks a significant increase of 53.9% from the RM64.9 billion recorded in the same period in 2022.

These investments are spread across 607 projects, poised to generate an estimated 48,496 job opportunities. FDI takes a significant lead, contributing RM84.8 billion or 85.0%, while DDI accounts for RM15.0 billion or 15.0%.

Expansion and diversification projects dominate the landscape, amounting to RM62.0 billion, in addition to RM37.8 billion stemming from new projects. FDI plays a pivotal role in both categories, representing 89.7% of expansion/diversification projects and 77.3% of new projects, respectively.

A notable 83.5% of expansion/diversification projects are concentrated in the electrical and electronics (E&E) industry, aligning with global trends and the resurgence of the technology cycle. Among these large-scale expansion/diversification projects include four (4) projects cumulatively worth RM40.5 billion for the manufacturing of electronic components such as LED chips, sub-assembly devices and semiconductor devices

The decision of foreign global E&E companies to expand their operations in Malaysia is strategically timed to leverage the anticipated recovery in the global technology cycle. Projections from The World Semiconductor Trade Statistics (WSTS) Forecast of Global Semiconductor Sales indicate a positive growth of 11.8% in 2024, following a contraction of 10.3% in 2023. This foresight positions these companies to capitalise on increased exports, particularly in the E&E products domain.

New projects are also led by foreign sources, which is 77.3%, showing the continued confidence of foreign investors in Malaysia as a preferred investment destination that can complement their international business network. Focus industries include E&E and machinery and equipment (M&E), amounting to RM9.9 billion and RM7.8 billion  respectively.

One of the investment projects that stood out and underscored the sector’s attractiveness and Malaysia’s appeal to global manufacturing giants include Lumileds Malaysia Sdn. Bhd., a hefty investment of RM25.7 billion earmarked for the manufacture of LED chips, devices, sub-assemblies, and LED-based lighting products/systems/modules.

Other top-performing industries within the manufacturing sector include M&E (RM10.8 billion), non-metallic mineral products (RM6.9 billion), fabricated metal products (RM5.5 billion), and transport equipment (RM5.4 billion).

The approved investments in the manufacturing sector is expected to create a total of 48,496 potential job opportunities. Among these, a total of 20,610 (42.5%) high-impact jobs will be for the positions in management, professional/technical, supervisory, and skilled worker categories. The remaining distribution includes 19,298 (39.8%) in machine operators and assembly workers; 2,273 (4.7%) in sales, clerical and other roles; as well as 6,315 (13.0%) in general workers.

Primary Sector Reflects Positive Opportunities

The primary sector sees RM7.5 billion in approved investments, constituting 3.3% of the total approvals. Driven by 58 projects, it anticipates creating 392 new jobs, with a focus on mining (RM7.2 billion), and plantation and commodities (RM0.2 billion).

Doubling Efforts for Quality Investments

Datuk Wira Arham Abdul Rahman, Chief Executive Officer of MIDA emphasised, “As Malaysia’s investment landscape reaches new heights, the services sector stands as a formidable pillar, embodying our nation’s commitment to innovation and sustainable development. The notable surge in approved investments, particularly in Information and Communications Technology (ICT) and green technology, not only highlights the resilience but also amplifies the potential of our local services players. Concurrently, the manufacturing sector’s stellar performance, notably the (E&E) industry, strategically positions Malaysia as a pivotal hub for global manufacturing giants. These accomplishments are a testament to the synergistic collaboration between public and private entities in advancing a robust industrial landscape and enablers, forging a path towards a future characterised by innovation, resilience, and economic prosperity and further strengthening our ecosystem.”

Malaysia’s investment landscape presents bright prospects with a pipeline of proposed investments and lead projects overseen by MIDA. As of November 2023, there are a total of 1,428 projects with proposed investments of RM72.3 billion within MIDA’s pipeline. Of these proposed investments, a total of 1,352 projects are from the selected services sector (RM31.8 billion), while 76 projects are from the manufacturing sector (RM40.5 billion), all of which fall under MIDA’s purview. Additionally, a total amount of RM161.6 billion in high-potential investment leads are actively being negotiated by MIDA.

In the spirit of relentless commitment, MITI/MIDA unveils a suite of initiatives designed to facilitate investment seamlessly. The Task Force on Investment and Trade Coordination (JTPPP) stands as a beacon of coordination, diligently monitoring and accelerating the execution of strategic projects. The recently launched Invest Malaysia Facilitation Centre (IMFC) stands tall as a symbol of progressive facilitation, augmenting advisory services for businesses at both federal and state levels.

To cap off this momentous achievement, the MIDA CEO asserts, “Our success in attracting RM225.0 billion in investments demonstrates Malaysia’s prowess as a global investment destination. The diversified inflow of investments from leading economies and the steadfast commitment by the Government and stakeholders underscore our nation’s resilience.”

***THE END***

About MIDA

MIDA is the Government’s principal investment promotion and development agency under the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry (MITI) to oversee and drive investments into the manufacturing and services sectors in Malaysia. Headquartered in Kuala Lumpur Sentral, MIDA has 12 regional and 21 overseas offices. MIDA continues to be the strategic partner to businesses in seizing the opportunities arising from the technology revolution of this era. For more information, please visit www.mida.gov.my and follow us on X, Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, TikTok and YouTube channel.

For media enquiries please contact:

Ms. Fatmah Ahmad
Director of Corporate Communications Division
Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA)
Email: [email protected] | DL: +603-2267 2428

Malaysia Creates Almost 90,000 Jobs from RM225.0 Billion Approved Investments For 9M2023, Exceeding Full-Year Annual Target

Bandar Enstek, Negeri Sembilan, 4 December 2023 – Novugen Oncology Sdn. Bhd. (Novugen) announced a ground-breaking milestone in Malaysia’s pharmaceutical industry, as the company was granted approval by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (USFDA) for its manufacturing facility specialising in high potent oncology drugs. This approval is part of Novugen’s commitment to promote Malaysia as a manufacturing hub to produce technology-intensive pharmaceutical and oncology products locally.

The sought-after approval by the U.S. federal agency came just a year after the company’s first USFDA approval for Novugen Pharma Sdn. Bhd., focusing on oral solid dosage forms for general medicines. With these approvals, Novugen becomes the first in the country and the only in the Southeast Asia region to be accredited by the USFDA for pharmaceutical and oncology manufacturing facilities to produce affordable and high-quality medicines for the U.S. market, from Malaysia.

Datuk Wira Arham Abdul Rahman, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA) said, “We congratulate Novugen for their achievement in securing USFDA approval for their high potent oncology drug manufacturing facility. This accomplishment is nothing short of phenomenal, as it significantly strengthens the Malaysian pharmaceutical industry by enhancing its capabilities and technological expertise to produce complex pharmaceutical products. It aligns perfectly with Mission 1 of the New Industrial Master Plan (NIMP) 2030 to establish advanced economic complexity in the high technology manufacturing of complex products and services. Beyond this, it not only strengthens Malaysia’s position within the global value chain but also reaffirms our commitment to long-term resilience and sustainability.”

Novugen has shown promising signs for their future as the company commercialised two products in the U.S. with Abbreviated New Drug Application (ANDA) approval from USFDA for Abiraterone 250mg and 500mg tablets and Midodrine 2.5mg, 5mg and 10mg. The successful launch of the two products in the U.S. marks the commencement of Novugen’s journey towards unveiling future phases of a comprehensive range of life-changing medicines, designed to benefit millions of patients while meeting the stringent USFDA requirements.  

Dr. Madan Mulukuri, Senior Vice President, Quality Operations of Novugen said “As Novugen enters the next phases of becoming a multi-product facility with growing complexity, we put significant focus on training our current employees in elaborate containment principles and technologies. We leverage our current collaborations with local universities offering programs for undergraduates to acquire world-class manufacturing expertise and competencies. Ultimately, our mission is to create access for the Malaysian workforce to get acquainted with intricate pharmaceutical operations and be exposed to stringent global regulations to create a sustainable ecosystem of highly skilled talents in the local pharmaceutical industry.”

Novugen’s USFDA approved manufacturing facilities play a major role in advancing the nation’s pharmaceutical industry and healthcare sector by reducing the dependency on imports and ensuring self-sufficiency in manufacturing and supplying high-quality products, especially those with elaborate formulations that lack robust generic alternatives. It also fortifies Malaysia’s capacity to export and enter the world’s largest economy and market – the U.S. – for pharmaceutical and oncology product sectors.

The continued support from MIDA brought forth many successes for Novugen’s successful establishment in Malaysia and in developing a strong business foundation throughout the years. The company is committed to undertaking great efforts to guarantee the safety of public health by ensuring every product undergoes rigorous testing and meeting the necessary standards to strengthen local accessibility of medicines with identical efficacy to those exported to the U.S. Novugen is immensely proud to contribute great impact to Malaysia, a nation that values international trade and strategic investments to boost the economic growth.

**End**

About MIDA

MIDA is the government’s principal investment promotion and development agency under the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry (MITI) to oversee and drive investments into the manufacturing and services sectors in Malaysia. Headquartered in Kuala Lumpur Sentral, MIDA has 12 regional and 21 overseas offices. MIDA continues to be the strategic partner to businesses in seizing the opportunities arising from the technology revolution of this era. For more information, please visit www.mida.gov.my and follow us on X, Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, TikTok and YouTube.

About Novugen

Novugen is a wholly owned subsidiary company of a UAE based group, SciTech International. With over 30 years of experience in the healthcare industry, the company is equipped with vast and successful experience of venturing into strategic healthcare businesses and development of world class healthcare facilities around the globe. Novugen’s passion for science, bold global strategy and wealth of international experience prepared us to respond to challenges of bringing hard-to-source and technology-intensive pharmaceutical products to the market.

Novugen specializes in niche and difficult to formulate generics for all therapeutic areas of pharmaceutical and oncology medicines while meeting stringent global quality standards. With vertical integration from Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (API) to Finished Products R&D and manufacturing based in Malaysia, it gives us greater control over the supply chain.

We are committed to ensuring early access to high-quality products that lack robust generic alternatives due to their complexity. We strive to strengthen the accessibility of affordable and global quality standard products in Malaysia with same efficacy to medicines exported to the U.S. For more information about Novugen, please visit www.novugen.com and follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, and X (Twitter).

For media enquiries, please contact:

MIDA
Ms. Azlina Hamdan
Director, Life Sciences and Medical Technology Division, MIDA
Email: [email protected] | Tel: +603-22673791

Novugen
Mr. Syazwan Saufi
Associate Manager, Corporate Communications
Email: [email protected] | Tel: +6012-924 5848

Novugen Becomes Malaysia’s First and Southeast Asia’s Only with USFDA Approved Oncology Manufacturing Facility to Produce Drugs Locally for the U.S.

Penang, 1 December 2023 – In a groundbreaking event held recently, INV New Material Technology (M) Sdn. Bhd., a subsidiary of Shenzhen Senior Technology Material Co. Ltd., a prominent Chinese company in the global lithium battery separator industry, has marked a significant milestone with the launch of its inaugural plant in Malaysia. This move solidifies Malaysia’s position as the first-of-its-kind facility in Southeast Asia. Nestled in the Penang Technology Park, the RM3.2 billion first phase of the venture will have the annual capacity to produce 1.3 billion square meters of wet-process separators and coated separators. As such, INV’s new facility is poised to make a substantial contribution to the global new energy industry.

Penang Chief Minister, YAB Chow Kon Yeow expressed, ‘‘The success of INV in Penang is attributed to the collaborative synergy between the government and the private sector. This collaborative approach underscores the significance of a strong relationship between both sectors for the prosperity of our state. The Penang State Government is dedicated to providing essential support, with a keen focus on fostering an environment where collaborations between the public and private sectors can flourish. As we look ahead, the Penang State Government eagerly anticipates increased foreign investments, affirming our commitment to creating an environment conducive to global businesses seeking growth and success within our borders.” YB Senator Tengku Datuk Seri Utama Zafrul Aziz, Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry (MITI), lauded INV’s milestone, stating, “INV’s new Penang plant contributes to the realisation of the strategic vision of the New Industrial Master Plan (NIMP) 2030 and the Chemical Industry Roadmap 2021-2030. The entry of yet another major EV component producer is a big boost to our ambition to make Malaysia a regional EV hub. As INV also leverages on Malaysia’s established specialty plastics ecosystem, MITI and its agency, MIDA look forward to facilitating the convergence of different industrial sectors, to spur cross-sectoral growth and innovation. This investment milestone will not only create up to 4,000¹ jobs for Malaysians, but also go a long way towards fulfilling our vision for a dynamic, cutting-edge and transformative manufacturing future.”

Datuk Wira Arham Abdul Rahman, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of MIDA, commended INV for the groundbreaking ceremony. “The establishment of INV’s manufacturing facility here, marks Malaysia as one of the largest lithium-ion battery separators in South East Asia. This facility stands as a potential model, breathing new life into the current plastic industry. This could lead to a transformative shift in the plastic sector, redirecting focus from commodities and household items towards the production of specialised engineering plastics tailored for high-end applications. MIDA is deeply committed to attracting high-quality investment, fostering a resilient cross-sector manufacturing supply chain ecosystem in Malaysia.”

The Chairman of INV, Mr. Chen XiuFeng stated, “As a leading enterprise in the separator industry, we will further intensify our efforts in developing the ASEAN market, laying a solid foundation for global development, bringing intelligent manufacturing beyond our borders, and injecting new vitality into the economic development of the ASEAN region”.

He also conveyed that Penang, as one of Malaysia’s most crucial gateways to the world, is destined to assume a significant role in the country’s future development. As a leading entity in the new energy sector and a standout player in this industry, the company is committed to sharing advanced technologies beyond national borders and expanding its presence in the global arena.

In an era of technological advancement, Shenzhen Senior is dedicated to advancing new energy and material technologies. INV proudly adds  Malaysia to its success story, citing the country’s well-established infrastructure, skilled workforce, and business-friendly environment.  Penang,  identified as an ideal location for industries at the forefront of technological progress, offers an opportunity for the local workforce to develop high industrial skills contributing to the evolving technological landscape.

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¹This was mentioned in an earlier Press Release: https://theedgemalaysia.com/node/682816

***END***

About MIDA

MIDA is the government’s principal investment promotion and development agency under the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry (MITI) to oversee and drive investments into the manufacturing and services sectors in Malaysia. Headquartered in Kuala Lumpur Sentral, MIDA has 12 regional and 21 overseas offices. MIDA continues to be the strategic partner to businesses in seizing the opportunities arising from the technology revolution of this era. For more information, please visit www.mida.gov.my and follow us on X, Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, TikTok and YouTube.

About INV New Material Technology (M) Sdn. Bhd.

INV New Material Technology (M) Sdn. Bhd. is the first subsidiary of Shenzen Senior Technology Material Co., Ltd. in Malaysia. Specializing in the technological advancement of new energy and materials, Senior has introduced a range of diverse lithium battery separators in 2022, emerging as a global leader in industry sales. The establishment of INV in Penang, Malaysia signifies the inauguration of the first lithium battery separator factory in the ASEAN Region. The facility is scheduled for completion by July 2025, with the fifth-generation super wet-method production line set to be fully operational by September 2025. For media enquiries, please contact:

MIDA
Pn. Siti Halimaton Mohd Rejab
Director, Chemical & Advanced Materials Division, MIDA
Email: [email protected] | Tel: +603- 22676701

INV New Material Technology (M) Sdn. Bhd.
Datuk Ng Peng Hay
Senior Advisor, INV Material Technology (M) Sdn. Bhd.
Email: [email protected] | Tel: +604-5669888

INV Breaks Ground its RM3.2 Billion Phase 1 Lithium Batteries Separator Project in Penang

The new RM700.5 million state-of-the-art regional hub features a manufacturing plant, warehouse, distribution centre, the Vinda Innovation Centre and an office administration block.

16 December 2022, Bandar Bukit Raja: Vinda Southeast Asia (Vinda SEA), a unit of Hong Kong-listed Vinda International Holdings Ltd, officially opens the new Vinda SEA Regional Hub today; situated in Bandar Bukit Raja, Selangor’s industrial township. With an investment of RM700.5 million, the new state-of-the-art mega facility is located on a 30-acre site filled with greenery and comprises a double-storey manufacturing plant with raw material warehouse, an automated finished goods warehouse, a distribution centre, the Vinda Innovation Centre as well as a six-storey administration block.

The regional hub will not only centralise expertise and high-value activities in Malaysia, but also make the group globally competitive through the use of the latest technologies and processes with automation used where possible. The new facility will bring together the enabling technologies at every stage of the supply chain to further enhance effectiveness, increase efficiency and productivity while lowering costs.

At the same time, Vinda SEA will be upskilling its workforce and vendors to meet the requirements of the new technologies, which would also benefit the whole ecosystem of the personal-hygiene industry in the country.

The Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA) commends Vinda Group’s commitment in strengthening their presence with the new SEA Regional Hub.  YBhg. Datuk Wira Arham Abdul Rahman, the Chief Executive Officer, MIDA stated, “Vinda certainly has leveraged their multiple growth enablers of product innovation, human capital upskilling, market expansion and sustainability measures, in addition to the increased support for Malaysia’s vibrant industrial ecosystem.”

“As the market leader for hygiene products in Asia, Vinda remains committed to strategic high-value circular and sustainable paper-based products to provide higher quality products and professional services for their customers. Malaysia’s paper-based products’ capacity is expected to increase exponentially with substantial exports earnings. The country’s existing paper industry players have ventured into advanced production processes and high technology automation, extending their reach even further to provide greater opportunities within the domestic supply chain. The utilisation of 4.0 technologies, features of environmentally-friendly production, as well as efficient monitoring and maintenance adoption will inevitably extend further modern techniques of production within the local industry value chain”, he added. 

Su Ting Nee, President of Vinda Group SEA said, “The investment of more than half a billion Ringgit to set up the Vinda SEA Regional Hub represents Vinda’s commitment to Malaysia and to the state of Selangor. With the new Vinda SEA Regional Hub, we anticipate the production capacity will increase by 20 per cent when another 20-acre site build up is completed and fully in operation. Local talent development is prioritised, and the new facility currently houses over 1,200 staff comprising 99 per cent of local community.”

The regional hub will develop, manufacture, and market three different product categories, namely, baby care, incontinence care, and feminine care.  The company also markets tissue products, while its personal care brands include Drypers, TENA, Libresse, Vinda Deluxe, Dr. P, Tempo, and Tork, which are currently the market leaders. This facility will serve mainly the Southeast Asian market, and support sales to more than 25 countries, with Malaysia being the strongest market.

The new Vinda Innovation Centre is the only one outside of China, equipped with full in-house capabilities with a broad set of experts for R&D, innovation, product and material development. The centre adheres a strict international standards for product development, quality and product safety requirements consistent with practices in Vinda and Essity globally. Essity, a leading global hygiene and health Company is the majority shareholder of Vinda International Holdings Limited.

Together, these components encapsulate a state-of-the art facility with the capability and efficiency of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, which is in line with the Government’s Industry4WRD policy.

In 2017/2018, Vinda SEA was named as one of foreign investors with the highest investment in Selangor and the investment of a new regional hub is testament to the company’s continued commitment in making Malaysia as SEA’s hub for hygiene products.

As of September 2022, a total of 28 projects were implemented with the investment value of RM2.32 billion in Malaysia for sanitary-related disposable products (diapers, baby napkins, sanitary napkins and pads). Vinda Group’s presence in Malaysia represents the portfolio of European and Chinese investment participation, which have been among the top contributors of high value-added investments in Malaysia.

The official opening of the Vinda SEA Regional Hub was attended by YBhg. Dato’ Sri Norazman Ayob, the Deputy Secretary General (Industry) of the Ministry of International Trade and Industry, Li Chao Wang, Chairman of Vinda Group Chairman, Magnus Groth, Chief Executive Officer of Essity, Karen Li, Chief Executive Officer of Vinda , Su Ting Nee, President of Vinda SEA, Ms. Umarani Muniandy, Executive Director of Manufacturing Development (Resource) of the Malaysian Investment Development Authority MIDA and all the company’s Board members from across Europe & Asia.

For more information, visit https://vindagroupsea.com

*****

About MIDA
MIDA is the Government’s principal investment promotion and development agency under the Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI) to oversee and drive investments into the manufacturing and services sectors in Malaysia. Headquartered in Kuala Lumpur Sentral, MIDA has 12 regional and 21 overseas offices. MIDA continues to be the strategic partner to businesses in seizing the opportunities arising from the technology revolution of this era. For more information, please visit www.mida.gov.my and follow us on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, TikTok and YouTube channel.

About VINDA GROUP SEA
Vinda Group SEA is part of VINDA GROUP, one of the largest companies for hygiene products in Asia. The Vinda Group has more than 11,000 employees, and sales are conducted under many strong tissue and personal care brands such as Vinda, Drypers, TENA, Dr. P, Libresse, VIA, Tempo, Tork, Libero and Sealer. Vinda has its headquarters in Hong Kong and is listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, with productions in Mainland China, Taiwan, Malaysia and Australia.

Essity, a leading global hygiene products company from Europe, is the major shareholder of Vinda and since 1st April 2016 has its presence in most of the Asian hygiene market exclusively through Vinda.

Vinda group has 10 key brands across 4 business segments from Tissue, Baby Care, Feminine Care, and Incontinence Care.

As a strategic regional market and key business division, the Group is present in South East Asia with leading positions including having well-loved brands in many countries. Vinda Group SEA supports the regional businesses in Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam and the Philippines. The brands that are available on the region include Drypers, TENA, Libresse, Vinda Deluxe, Dr. P, Tempo, and Tork. The Group’s regional headquarters and commercial/manufacturing hub for South East Asia are located in Malaysia, Selangor, Shah Alam. These include:

• Two manufacturing facilities awarded with internationally recognized ISO14001 (Environment), ISO45001 (Health & Safety) and ISO 9001.
• An Innovation Centre Asia with state-of-the-art technology

For more information, visit https://vindagroupsea.com

For media enquiries please contact:

MIDA:
Ms. Manjit Kaur
Director, Food Technology and Resource Based Industries Division
Email: [email protected] | DL: +603-22673509

VINDA GROUP:
Ms. Su Ting Nee
President of Vinda South East Asia
Email: [email protected] | DL: +6012-2043173

Vinda Sea Opens New Regional Hub In Malaysia

Malaysia Attracted RM193.7 Billion (USD41.7 Billion) Of Approved Investments In January – September 2022

• Malaysia attracted RM193.7 billion (USD41.7 billion) of approved investments in services (RM113.3 billion or USD24.4 billion), manufacturing (RM64.9 billion or USD14 billion), and primary sectors (RM15.5 billion or USD3.3 billion), an increase of 2.5 per cent as compared to the same period in 2021.
• Foreign Direct Investments (FDI) remained the major contributor to the total approved investments at 67.5 per cent or RM130.7 billion (USD 28.1 billion), an increase of 15 per cent as compared to the same period last year, while Domestic Direct Investment (DDI) contributed 32.5 per cent or RM63 billion (USD13.6 billion).
• The People’s Republic of China (PRC) dominated foreign investments totalling RM49.2 billion (USD10.6 billion).
• Five (5) states that have recorded significant investment value to the total approved investments include Johor (RM63.9 billion) (USD13.8 billion), Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur (RM26.1 billion) (USD5.6 billion), Selangor (RM25.7 billion) (USD5.5 billion), Sarawak (RM17.6 billion) (USD3.8 billion) and Kedah (RM12.1 billion) (USD2.6 billion).
• The approved investments for this period will generate 98,414 new jobs in the country.
• Malaysia’s services sector secured projects worth RM113.3 billion (USD24.4 billion) for the period January – September 2022, compared to the RM70.4 billion (USD16.8 billion) it gained for the same period in 2021, a major increase of 60.9 per cent.

Kuala Lumpur, 14 December 2022 – Malaysia remains a top investment destination among global investors and a hotspot for business expansion. Investors continue to show confidence to invest in Malaysia as the new premier leadership is focused on strengthening the country’s economic growth and retain Malaysia’s reputation as a stable investment destination.

Malaysia has attracted a total of RM193.7 billion (USD41.7 billion) worth of approved investments in the services, manufacturing and primary sectors involving 2,786 projects from January to September 2022 and is expected to create 98,414 job opportunities in the country. This is a 2.5 per cent increase as compared to the RM188.9 billion (USD45.1 billion) investments approved in the same period last year.

YB Senator Tengku Datuk Seri Utama Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz, Minister of International Trade and Industry (MITI), stated, “Malaysia’s success in attracting almost RM194 billion of approved investments in the first nine months of the year is a testament of its established standing as a gateway to ASEAN and an investment destination of choice in Asia. Our robust supply chain network, competitive cost structure, simplified business processes, cutting-edge innovation and technology capabilities, and good talent base are key ingredients in attracting investments and driving sustainable growth in this country. Moving forward, MITI and its agencies will ensure that new investment opportunities will also build the appropriate capacity and talent base in targeted industries to develop the nation’s economy in a sustainable manner”

FDI remained the major contributor, at 67.5 per cent or RM130.7 billion (USD28.1 billion), while DDI contributed 32.5 per cent to RM63 billion (USD13.6 billion). It is to be noted that this is a 15 per cent increase as compared to the FDI approved in the same period in 2021.

Of the total investments approved, the People’s Republic of China (PRC) dominated foreign investments totalling RM49.2 billion (USD10.6 billion). This is followed by The United States of America (RM16.9 billion) (USD3.6 billion), The Netherlands (RM16.5 billion) (USD3.6 billion), Germany (RM9.2 billion) (USD2 billion) and Singapore (RM8.7 billion) (USD1.9 billion).

Five (5) states that have recorded significant approved investments include Johor (RM63.9 billion) (USD13.8 billion), Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur (RM26.1 billion) (USD5.6 billion), Selangor (RM25.7 billion) (USD5.5 billion), Sarawak (RM17.6 billion) (USD3.8 billion) and Kedah (RM12.1 billion) (USD2.6 billion).

In this period, the services sector assumed a significant role towards driving the country’s economic recovery, accounting for 58.5 per cent of total approved investments with RM113.3 billion (USD24.4 billion). The stellar service sector performance exceeded expectations for January to September 2022, an increase of 60.9 per cent from the achievement attained in the same period in 2021. The manufacturing sector follows this at RM64.9 billion (USD14 billion) or 33.5 per cent and the primary sector at RM15.5 billion (USD3.3 billion) or 8 per cent.

YBhg. Datuk Wira Arham Abdul Rahman, Chief Executive Officer of MIDA, said, “Malaysia enjoys a strong reputation internationally and investors have confidence in us. The nation has a solid foundation to provide opportunities for investors. With its favourable business climate, the country is poised to become the next major economic hub. Malaysia offers companies what they need to succeed in the international marketplace by capitalising on its strategic location of the Straits of Malacca, comprehensive industrial ecosystem, dotted with abundant natural resources, and having a young, talented and vibrant population.”

“The Government is working aggressively to attract more high-quality, high-impact, capital-intensive projects in the manufacturing and services sectors. These projects are expected to contribute to the country’s economic growth. The Government focuses on digital economy, energy and high value manufacturing activities such as transport technology which include electric vehicle and its ecosystem that will have a significant economic potential and sustainable long-term growth.”, added Datuk Wira Arham.

Services Sector Takes the Lead

Malaysia is thriving as one of the most technologically equipped economies within Asia. By way of digitalisation, the country has become a hotbed of investment for domestic and international players alike. Digital transformation is imperative for businesses of all sizes and industries. Many businesses are now going digital and equipping themselves for fast expansion. New services have been invented through the invention of the Internet of Things (IoT), artificial intelligence (AI) and cloud computing.

For this period, the services sector accounted for the largest share of the total approved investments, amounting to RM113.3 billion (USD24.4 billion) from 2,167 projects which contributed to the growth of the country’s economy. This is a significant increase as compared to the RM70.4 billion (USD16.8 billion) investments approved for the services sector in the same period last year. A total of 39,772 new jobs are expected to be created in the services sector.

Based on the total approved investments for January to September 2022, foreign investments made up the most significant portion, recording RM69 billion (USD14.9 billion) or 60.9 per cent of the total approved investments for the services sector, while the remaining 39.1 per cent or RM44.3 billion (USD9.5 billion) were from domestic sources.

The information and communications sub-sector dominated the services sector, with approved investments valued at RM69.2 billion (USD14.9 billion) or 61.1 per cent. From the total approved investments of this sub-sector, five (5) Information and Communication Technology (ICT) services which includes data centre and cloud computing services were approved with investments totalling RM60.7 billion (USD13.1 billion) or 87.7 per cent.

Among other performing sub-sectors which contributed to the significant amount of investments approved were real estate (RM16.9 billion) (USD3.6 billion), financial services (RM9 billion) (USD1.9 billion), utilities (RM7.5 billion) (USD1.6 billion) and distributive trade (RM3.7 billion) (USD0.8 billion).

Six (6) sub-sectors showed positive development in terms of percentage increment of approved investments namely information and communications, with an increase of 1,101.1 per cent. Other services follow this with an increase of 244.4 per cent, education services (175 per cent), utilities (15.5 per cent), distributive trade (9.7 per cent) and financial services (3.2 per cent).

Among notable projects approved in the services sector include, data centre projects by Bridge Data Centres Malaysia III Sdn. Bhd., ByteDance System Sdn. Bhd., and YTL Power International Berhad. Such digital infrastructure projects would ignite Malaysia’s growth towards the digital-first economy. Apart from digital investments, other key projects in the services sector include Mamee Double Decker Distribution (M) Sdn. Bhd. (Mamee) which set up their Regional Headquarter Hub to manage supply chain activities across the company’s manufacturing facilities in the region and consolidate distribution of products to countries globally.

Investments by homegrown companies such as Mamee, demonstrates how DDI plays a pertinent role in helping to build the ecosystem of supporting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and empowering Malaysia’s position of developing capabilities to integrate into a vertically integrated global supply chain.

Manufacturing Sector Remains Competitive

Malaysia continues to attract high-quality investments in the manufacturing sector from January to September 2022, reflecting the country’s competitiveness as a preferred location for investment in the region. The manufacturing sector accounted for RM64.9 billion (USD14 billion) (33.5 per cent) from the total approved investments in various economic sectors, as compared to RM103.9 billion (USD24.8 billion) for the same period in 2021. The approval of a few lumpy projects was cited as the reason for the high total approved investments in the manufacturing sector for same period in 2021.

Of the total approved investments in January to September 2022 for the manufacturing sector, FDI amounted to RM50.2 billion (USD10.8 billion) (77.3 per cent), while domestic investments contributed to the remaining RM14.7 billion (USD3.2 billion) (22.7 per cent).

From the RM64.9 billion (USD14 billion) approved investments in the manufacturing sector, investments for expansion/diversification projects showed positive development with an increase of 51 per cent, totalling RM40.2 billion (USD8.7 billion) in January to September 2022, as compared to the same period in 2021. The remaining RM24.7 billion (USD5.3 billion) were recorded from new projects.

In terms of top-performing industries for this period, electrical and electronics (E&E) leads the manufacturing sector (RM22.6 billion) (USD4.9 billion), followed by transport equipment (RM7.5 billion) (USD1.6 billion), petroleum products (including petrochemicals) (RM5.5 billion) (USD1.2 billion), non-metallic mineral products (RM5.4 billion)(USD1.2 billion), machinery and equipment (RM4 billion) (USD0.9 billion), scientific and measuring equipment (RM3.6 billion) (USD0.8 billion), food manufacturing (RM3.2 billion) (USD0.7 billion) and rubber products (RM3.2 billion) (USD0.7 billion). These industries made up RM54.9 billion (USD11.8 billion) (84.6 per cent) of total approved investments in this sector.

A total of 58,141 potential job opportunities are expected to be created in the manufacturing sector, where it will require 2,631 (4.5 per cent) managerial positions, 6,277 (10.8 per cent) professional/technical and supervisory roles, reflecting the higher value chain transition of the manufacturing sector. The approved manufacturing projects will also require 12,040 (20.7 per cent) skilled employment.

Notable projects approved in the manufacturing sector for this period include:

• Samsung SDI Energy Malaysia Sdn. Bhd. marked a new milestone when it opened a Phase Two EV battery cell manufacturing facility in Malaysia. The Korean semiconductor giant has invested a cumulative RM7 billion investment with Phase One: RM1 billion and Phase Two: RM6 billion as it chooses Malaysia as its first production location in Southeast Asia.

• TF-AMD Microelectronics Sdn. Bhd. announced plans to expand its manufacturing facility in Penang with the construction of a second site at Batu Kawan Industrial Park, Penang. With nearly RM2 billion of capital investment, the new manufacturing facility is expected to create more than 3,000 new jobs in advanced semiconductor engineering, design, and process technologies for high-performance computing solutions. The strategic expansion builds on the significant investments TF-AMD has made in Malaysia over the past 50 years that will support the company’s continued growth.

• Ferrotec Holdings Corporation, a global supplier of materials, components, and precision system solutions, has announced its establishment of the new manufacturing facility at Kulim Hi-Tech Park, Kedah. The plant which will be undertaking electromechanical assembly and advanced material fabrication for semiconductor equipment is designed to meet customer needs while also expanding the Group’s business globally.

• Smart Glove Holdings Berhad, one of Malaysia’s leading innovative glove manufacturers has expanded their manufacturing capacity with an investment of RM2 billion. Their wide range of medical gloves sourced from nitrile, natural rubber, polychloroprene and other synthetic rubber ensures that the native industry of glove manufacturing in Malaysia remains competitive in the global market.

Primary Sector

The primary sector recorded a total of RM15.5 billion (USD3.3 billion) approved investments (8 per cent) of the total approved investments in the various economic sectors from January to September 2022, as compared to RM14.7 billion (USD3.5 billion) approved investments for the same period in 2021. FDI dominated the primary sector with investments valued at RM11.5 billion (USD2.5 billion) (74.2 per cent), while the remaining RM4 billion (USD0.9 billion) (25.8 per cent) is contributed from domestic sources.

The agricultural sub-sector amounted to RM142.9 million (USD30.8 million) in total approved investments, which is a 760.9 per cent increment from the previous RM16.6 million (USD4 million) investments for the same period in 2021. Meanwhile, the plantation and commodities sub-sector recorded RM109.1 million (USD23.5 million) of approved investments, an increase of 28.7 per cent from the previous RM84.8 million (USD20.2 million) investments for the same period in 2021.

As of November 2022, there are 285 projects with proposed investments of RM19.9 billion (USD4.4 billion) within MIDA’s pipeline; 247 projects are from the services sector (RM13.7 billion) (USD3 billion), while 38 projects are from the manufacturing sector (RM6.2 billion) (USD1.4 billion), all of which fall under MIDA’s purview.

Malaysia’s economy has grown rapidly. Due to ongoing reforms and recent digitalisation efforts, the country is experiencing its strongest recovery since the two-year pandemic that shut down the global economy. In collaboration with MITI, MIDA is actively working to attract investments in targeted industries from all over the globe to upgrade Malaysia’s industrial ecosystem and trade landscape. These initiatives include giving necessary business facilitation and value network to foreign, local, and start-up companies to ensure they can optimise operations in this dynamic market. The Government is eager to help businesses succeed and make Malaysia the ideal place for them to reach their full potential.

The Government remains resilient to discover new growth areas and empower businesses and local communities while upholding the principles of integrity, good governance, and the rule of law, in addition to promoting inclusivity and sustainable development through principles of SDGs and the New Investment Policy (NIP), under the umbrella of the National Investment Aspirations (NIA).

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About MIDA

MIDA is the Government’s principal investment promotion and development agency under the Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI) to oversee and drive investments into the manufacturing and services sectors in Malaysia. Headquartered in Kuala Lumpur Sentral, MIDA has 12 regional and 21 overseas offices. MIDA continues to be the strategic partner to businesses in seizing the opportunities arising from the technology revolution of this era. For more information, please visit www.mida.gov.my and follow us on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, TikTok and YouTube channel.

For media enquiries please contact:

Ms. Fatmah Ahmad
Director, Corporate Communications Division
Email: [email protected] | DL: +603-2267 2428

Investors Show Growing Confidence In Malaysia

Penang, 12 December 2022 – SUSTIO Sdn. Bhd., a Malaysia-based subsidiary of the semiconductor packaging substrate and HDI Printed Circuit Board (PCB) global leading manufacturer, SIMMTECH, is set to expand its production line in Penang. The second phase of investment, valued at USD50 million, is expected to be completed by the first quarter of 2023. The expansion project will double the HDI PCB production capacity while creating an additional of 400 full-time jobs for Malaysians. Simultaneously, SUSTIO will also be working with local companies to enhance its localisation programme which will further thrive the country’s semiconductor ecosystem.

The Chief Minister of Penang, the Right Honourable Mr. Chow Kon Yeow said, “It is heartening to witness a growing number of investors deepening their roots in Penang. Having announced its presence in mid-2021 and today, an expansion plan, the continued confidence of SUSTIO reaffirms the competent platform in Penang for industry players to thrive. SUSTIO’s expansion not only brings positive spillovers in building local capacities in the PCB and substrate industry, but also plays a pivotal role in stimulating the competitiveness of the semiconductor material cluster in Penang, all of which will strengthen the state’s position in the semiconductor sector.”

Commenting on SIMMTECH’s momentous milestone, YB Senator Tengku Datuk Seri Utama Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz, Minister of International Trade and Industry (MITI) said, “SIMMTECH’s fast-tracked expansion of their subsidiary’s operation in Malaysia proves that the country continues to be a preferred destination for high-value investments, due to our industry’s strategic position in the global E&E value chain, as well as the availability of skilled Malaysian talent in this sector. This expansion project also supports the country’s New Investment Policy (NIP), whose aims include nurturing innovative, high impact and high-tech investments that help create more higher-paying jobs, which is key to the country’s long-term socio-economic upliftment and sustainable growth.”

Datuk Wira Arham Abdul Rahman, Chief Executive Officer of the Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA), said, “This expansion project is a testament to SUSTIO’s strong confidence in Malaysia, as a preferred investment hub, manifesting the rising trajectory of our economic recovery and the bright prospects for even more robust growth. Leveraging on the country’s comprehensive electrical and electronics (E&E) ecosystem, the capability of our local talent, as well as our matured semiconductor supply chain will definitely support SUSTIO’s long-term growth and provide vital building blocks for the company to expand in the region. We anticipate that SUSTIO’s project will have a ripple effect on job creation as well as the development of our local supply chain capabilities to meet the rapidly changing requirements of our E&E industry segments while encouraging innovation in emerging fields. Thus, MIDA remains committed to growing our E&E and semiconductor industries, working hand-in-hand with our strategic investors such as SUSTIO.”

Mr. Jeffery Chun, Managing Director of SIMMTECH SE ASIA, expressed, “This decision on SUSTIO expansion shows SIMMTECH management team’s strong and determined pledge to invest in Malaysia. The successful opening of the first Malaysia factory in Batu Kawan, which is the rising global semiconductor hub, gave SUSTIO a clear mandate to continue its expansion.”

As outlined in SIMMTECH’s initial business plan, the company’s second phase of expansion is to be carried out over a period of five years. However, acknowledging Malaysia’s business and manufacturing ecosystem’s competitive edge and reputation as the ideal destination for global and regional business expansions, SIMMTECH has decided to advance its future investment plan to 2023.

Earlier this year, SIMMTECH invested USD150 million to complete the SUSTIO’s 18-acre manufacturing site, currently hiring over 1,200 full-time local talents. The company has already started mass production after successfully achieving the major customers’ new site qualification programme.

MIDA and the state of Penang have been supportive of SUSTIO’s investment, providing the best possible facilitation services on administrative guidance and support to strengthen the strategic collaboration with the company. The governments welcomed SUSTIO’s expansion and its continued trust in leveraging Penang’s established foothold as the Silicon Valley of the East

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About MIDA

MIDA is the Government’s principal investment promotion and development agency under the Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI) to oversee and drive investments into the manufacturing and services sectors in Malaysia. Starting operations in 1967 with a relatively small set up of 37 staff, MIDA has grown to become a strong and dynamic organisation of over 700 employees. Headquartered in Kuala Lumpur Sentral, MIDA today has 12 regional and 21 overseas offices. MIDA continues to be the strategic partner to businesses in seizing the opportunities arising from the technology revolution of this era. For more information, please visit www.mida.gov.my and follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook, LinkedIn, TikTok and YouTube channel. 

About InvestPenang

InvestPenang is the Penang State Government’s principal agency for promotion of investment. Its objectives are to develop and sustain Penang’s economy by enhancing and continuously supporting business activities in the State through foreign and local investments, including spawning viable new growth centers. To realize its objectives, InvestPenang also runs initiatives like the SMART Penang Center (providing assistance to SMEs), Penang CAT Center (for talent attraction and retention) and i4.0 seed fund (a catalyst for the startup ecosystem). For more information, please visit https://investpenang.gov.my/ and follow InvestPenang’s social media channels: Facebook; LinkedIn.

About SIMMTECH 

SIMMTECH is a business group from Korea, focusing on developing and manufacturing semiconductor packaging substrates and high value printed circuit boards. SIMMTECH was found in Korea 1987, currently listed 2 companies in KOSDAQ. SIMMTECH’s sales revenue recorded more than MYR 4 billion last year with around 5,000 employees around the world. SIMMTECH is the largest semiconductor packaging substrate and module/SSD PCB supplier in the memory chip industry and is the only manufacturer that supplies its products to all top 5 memory companies in the industry with its global manufacturing footprints in Korea, Japan, China and Malaysia.

For media enquiries, please contact:

MIDA
Ms. Noor Suziyanti Saad
Director of Electrical and Electronics Division
Email: [email protected]
Tel.: +603 2267 3575

InvestPenang
Ms. Yeoh Bit Kun / Ms. Ooi Phei Wen
Email: [email protected] / [email protected]

SIMMTECH
Ms. Michelle Chun
SIMMTECH SE ASIA
Email: [email protected]

Simmtech to Fast Track USD50 Million Expansion of Subsidiary’s Production Line In Penang to 2023

• MoU to drive Malaysian SME Industry 4.0 readiness
• MoU aims to enhance adoption of cloud-based collaboration for SMEs
• Partnership to help Malaysian enterprises gain access to global marketplaces

Kuala Lumpur, 6 December 2022 – The Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA) and Collaborative Research in Engineering and Science and Technology Centre (CREST) inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Dassault Systèmes Singapore Pte. Ltd today. The partnership aims to create a steering committee to discuss the scope, requirements, roles and plans in supporting Malaysia’s small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in their transformation journey to Industry 4.0 as well as enhancing cloud-based collaboration through adopting world-class Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) solutions.

Datuk Wira Arham Abdul Rahman, CEO of MIDA, expressed, “This timely initiative aims to elevate our local SMEs, and equip them with the latest technology to enhance their business efficiency through adopting world-class Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) solutions. We take great pride in MIDA’s involvement in this initiative to empower Malaysian firms and SMEs to fortify their technical capabilities and embrace modern technology, thus enabling them to progress and flourish. This day marks the momentous occasion of the Government’s drive to propel industry players, especially domestic players and SMEs, to embrace the new technology and realise its potential by taking on the technological solutions of ERP.”

The ERP solutions will leverage on Dassault Systèmes’ virtual twin technologies via its 3DEXPERIENCE platform, specifically in its computer-aided design software and Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) solutions, which are used in various industries including manufacturing, engineering and life sciences.

Mr. Jaffri Ibrahim, CEO of CREST, said, “The MoU aims to provide a platform that allows Malaysian businesses to thrive in a competitive business environment, post-pandemic. We constantly seek opportunities to collaborate with the Malaysian Government, industry leaders and academia to advance scientific knowledge in the country. In turn, we aim to strengthen homegrown innovation and research while we help local businesses navigate their challenges and opportunities in the new normal.”

“At Dassault Systèmes, we have worked with many successful businesses across the globe to build connected ecosystems that allow them to tap on data to create actionable insights and be competitive and efficient in the digital economy. With enhanced connectivity, Malaysian SMEs can benefit from data-driven decision making, build closer relationships with customers and partners, and continuously improve their operations and processes as they compete in the global business arena,” said Josephine Ong, Managing Director, Asia Pacific South, Dassault Systèmes.

As the manufacturing sector is undergoing a significant transformation with a push to adopt and adapt value-added processes and digitalisation, this partnership will tap on the collective expertise of the parties to help local businesses via a three-pronged approach, namely enabling Industry 4.0 readiness, providing access to the global marketplace and adopting true cloud-based collaboration. The intent is to develop a programme to enhance the efficiency and operations of SMEs in Malaysia with the state-of-the-art Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) solutions, aimed at integrating business processes and applications.

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About MIDA

MIDA is the Government’s principal investment promotion and development agency under the Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI) to oversee and drive investments into the manufacturing and services sectors in Malaysia. Starting operations in 1967 with a relatively small set up of 37 staff, MIDA has grown to become a strong and dynamic organisation of over 700 employees. Headquartered in Kuala Lumpur Sentral, MIDA today has 12 regional and 21 overseas offices. MIDA continues to be the strategic partner to businesses in seizing the opportunities arising from the technology revolution of this era. For more information, please visit www.mida.gov.my  and follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook, LinkedIn, TikTok and YouTube channel. 

About CREST

CREST (Collaborative Research in Engineering, Science and Technology) is a catalyst and change agent that drives the growth of Malaysia’s Electrical & Electronics (E&E) industry through market-driven research and talent development. While CREST is industry led, its member representation is the triple helix of Government, Industry and Academia. CREST focuses on creating a vibrant Research, Development and Commercialisation (R&D&C) ecosystem by promoting collaboration between the Industry and Academia, with support from variousGovernment organizations. Since its incorporation in 2012, CREST has to date 110 registered members and has supported over 165 R&D projects between industry and academia. For more information, please visit www.crest.my

About Dassault Systèmes Singapore Pte. Ltd

Dassault Systèmes, the 3DEXPERIENCE Company, is a catalyst for human progress. We provide business and people with collaborative 3D virtual environments to imagine sustainable innovations. By creating virtual twin experiences of the real world with our 3DEXPERIENCE platform and applications, our customers push the boundaries of innovation, learning and production to achieve a more sustainable world for patients, citizens, and consumers.  Dassault Systèmes brings value to more than 300,000 customers of all sizes, in all industries, in more than 140 countries.  For more information, visit www.3ds.com

For media enquiries, please contact:

MIDA
Mr. Syed Kamal Muzaffa Syed Hassan Sagaff
Director, Advanced Technology and Research & Development Division
Email: [email protected]
Tel.: +603 2267 3636

CREST
Ms. Geraldine Wong
Tel.: +6011 1166 5086

MIDA and CREST Ink MoU With Dassault Systèmes To Build Malaysia’s SME Industry 4.0 Readiness

Kuala Lumpur, 6 December 2022 – The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei Darussalam and the Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA) co-organised the Private Sector Dialogue on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Investor Map, themed “Sustainability Does Matter: Investing for a Better Future” today. The event aimed to engage with industry players in identifying new investment opportunities with potential contribution to SDGs, while generating attractive market returns.

The dialogue, which was officiated by Ms. Usha Rao-Monari, UN Under Secretary-General and UNDP Associate Administrator, has successfully received the crowd from the corporate sector. In her remarks, she stressed on the business case of redirecting funds to climate-sensitive investments. “By venturing into new production and services that contribute to climate solutions, businesses can gain good market returns and be a leader in their respective industries. Now is the time for private businesses and investors to place their bets on climate-sensitive investments – not just to hedge their climate risks but to make real business value from green products and services, and climate mitigation and adaptation solutions.” said Rao-Monari.

This call to action was echoed by Tan Sri Dato’ Seri Dr. Sulaiman Mahbob, the Chairman of MIDA, who expressed, “From the Government’s point of view, the SDG Investor Map will assist in unveiling untapped opportunities that have the potential to spur rapid development. This will provide the Government with a clear direction to focus on new areas that could benefit from policy implementation and provision of resources, such as human capital and capacity-building initiatives.” 

Tan Sri Zakri Abdul Hamid, a former Science Advisor to the Prime Minister and the founding chair of the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES), who delivered the Keynote Speech at the Dialogue’s plenary session also emphasised the urgency of bold climate actions from the private sector to transform themselves from “business as usual”, while shedding light on business opportunities arising from the net zero goal target that Malaysia has set for itself. “In the face of such gloom and doom, there is not only hope but opportunity.” he said. He highlighted that every USD1 invested in the green economy yields USD4 in benefits, which can be interpreted as another future growth potential for Malaysia. 

As reported by the Global Commission on Adaptation in 2019, it is estimated that a USD1.8 trillion investment in a climate-change adaptation measures are expected to bring a return of USD7.1 trillion in avoided costs and other benefits.

The second half of the event featured three parallel cluster discussions between the private sector stakeholders on renewable energy, green financing, and tech-based climate solutions respectively. The inputs gathered will be fed into the draft inaugural Malaysian SDG Investor Map, a market intelligence tool that guides investors by identifying investment opportunities areas and business models that advance the SDGs. The Map provides insights and tools needed by the private sector to increase their investments towards the SDGs, which inadvertently and significantly contributes to help to fill the financing gap faced by governments to meet the country’s SDGs targets including its climate ambitions. MIDA and UNDP are planning to launch the Malaysian SDG Investor Map in 2023 for a sustainable future in Malaysia for reference by both domestic and international investors.

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About MIDA

MIDA is the Government’s principal investment promotion and development agency under the Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI) to oversee and drive investments into Malaysia’s manufacturing and services sectors. Headquartered in Kuala Lumpur Sentral, MIDA has 12 regional and 21 overseas offices. MIDA continues to be the strategic partner to businesses in seizing the opportunities arising from the technology revolution of this era. For more information, please visit www.mida.gov.my and follow us on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, TikTok and YouTube channels.

About UNDP

As the United Nations lead agency on international development, UNDP works in 170 countries and territories to help countries develop policies, leadership skills, partnering abilities, institutional capabilities, and resilience to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. UNDP’s work is concentrated in three focus areas; sustainable development, democratic governance and peace building, and climate and disaster resilience. In line with Malaysia’s position as an upper middle-income country, the Country Office is focused on upstream policies in supporting the design and implementation of Malaysia’s national development priorities as well as sectoral development policies and strategies.

For media enquiries, please contacts:

MIDA
Ms. Surayu Binti Susah
Director, Strategic Planning & Policy Advocacy (Manufacturing) Division
Email: [email protected]
Tel.: +603-2267 6773

UNDP
Ms. Heesu Jeon
SDG Impact Finance Specialist
Email: [email protected]
Tel.: +603 8689 6049

MIDA and UNDP Malaysia Preparing the Malaysia SDG Investor Map to Launch In 2023

Penang, 6 December, 2022 — Mattel Malaysia Sdn. Bhd. (MMSB) commemorated its 40^th anniversary in Malaysia today with the announcement of a plant expansion, expected to be completed in January 2023. Located in Penang, Malaysia, MMSB is the world’s largest Hot Wheels manufacturing plant, with a current average output capacity of approximately 9.0M cars per week. According to Mattel, it expects this targeted, strategic investment to increase manufacturing capacity, improve productivity, and leverage technological capabilities, while reducing cost and enhancing operational efficiencies. The plant expansion will support Hot Wheels growth, and MMSB expects a 20% increase in production capacity by 2025.  

Established in 1981 in Perai, Penang, MMSB was Mattel Inc.’s (NASDAQ: MAT) first manufacturing plant in Malaysia. Malaysia plays an important role in Mattel’s supply chain for the company’s manufacturing, tooling, and commercial operations. According to Mattel, MMSB currently employs almost 3,900 workers and has consistently invested in and upskilled its workers, while hiring talent with technical backgrounds. The plant expansion is estimated to increase the total workforce by approximately 10% to nearly 4,300 employees at MMSB. This expansion will also benefit Mattel Development and Tooling Sdn. Bhd. (MDT). MDT, established in 1985, is Mattel’s second manufacturing plant in Malaysia and a state-of-the-art facility for product development, digital model making, mould design, and manufacturing.  

Chief Minister of Penang, YAB Tuan Chow Kon Yeow, stated, “We are proud that Mattel continues to invest in Penang as a key destination within its global supply chain. This is a strong indication of the state’s efforts and commitment to developing a welcoming environment for industry players and positioning the state at the forefront of industrialisation.” He added: “Throughout the years, Mattel has also succeeded in developing a thriving ecosystem for the toy industry in the Perai Free Trade Zone, across industries. It is heartening to see the positive spillover effects that Mattel has brought to the homegrown companies.”

Datuk Wira Arham Abdul Rahman, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA), stated: “I want to extend my heartiest congratulations to Mattel Malaysia on their latest corporate milestone. Malaysia has a vibrant ecosystem that supports companies in their innovation journey. We look forward to Mattel Malaysia’s continued growth and contributions to the nation’s economy.”

He added, “Malaysia aims to distinguish itself as the country of choice for manufacturing location in Southeast Asia based on a variety of intangible factors, including our established pro-investment policies, reliable supply chain and industrial ecosystem, and conducive business environment. Our highly skilled workforce also provides a pipeline of talent to support the front, middle and backend operations.”

Ching Chiau Lee, General Manager, MMSB, stated, “Today, we celebrate and reaffirm our long-term presence in Malaysia. Over the last 40 years, we have succeeded in developing a thriving ecosystem for the local industry in the Perai Free Industrial Zone across industries such as packaging, paint, material supplies, and machine design.”

Ms. Ching continued, “MMSB plays an important role in our global supply chain operations, providing a strategic footprint in the region and supporting our transformation strategy for growth as an IP-driven, high-performing toy company. We are excited for our future as we continue to exemplify progress in the technology-driven Malaysian manufacturing sector.” 

In conjunction with Mattel’s continued investment and commitment to its Malaysian operations, Steve Totzke, President and Chief Commercial Officer of Mattel, announced that Hot Wheels will be collaborating with PROTON, Malaysia’s iconic national automotive brand, to produce a 1:64 scale model of a Proton SAGA, the first model manufactured by PROTON. 

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About MIDA

MIDA is the government’s principal investment promotion and development agency under the Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI) to oversee and drive investments into the manufacturing and services sectors in Malaysia. Headquartered in Kuala Lumpur Sentral, MIDA has 12 regional and 21 overseas offices. MIDA continues to be the strategic partner to businesses in seizing the opportunities arising from the technology revolution of this era. For more information, please visit www.mida.gov.my and follow us on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, TikTok and YouTube.

For more information, please contact: 

MIDA
Ms. Rozita Binti Ibrahim
Director, Building Technology and Lifestyle, MIDA
Email: [email protected] | DL: + 603- 2267 3479

Mattel Malaysia Celebrates Its 40th Anniversary and Announces Plant Expansion to Be Completed In January 2023

Powering Semiconductor Growth During These Challenging Times

Kuala Lumpur, 6 December 2022 – The Malaysia Semiconductor Industry Association (MSIA) with support from the Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA), Electrical and Electronics Productivity Nexus, the Malaysia Productivity Corporation (MPC) and SEMI hosted a forum today on ‘Malaysia National Electrical and Electronics (E&E) Forum 2022’. The forum, going by the theme of “Powering Semiconductor Growth During These Challenging Times”, was held physically at MIDA Sentral and broadcasted online and successfully gained over 300 participants, represented by manufacturers, service providers and potential investors.

Officially inaugurated by Mr. Sivasuriyamoorthy Sundara Raja, Deputy Chief Executive Officer (Deputy CEO) of Investment Promotion and Facilitation, MIDA, the forum was also attended by Dato’ Seri Wong Siew Hai, President of MSIA and Mr. Bertrand Stoltz, Executive Vice-President Asia Public Affairs and Managing Director Singapore STMicroelectronics Asia-Pacific Pte. Ltd.

During his opening remark, Mr. Sivasuriyamoorthy Sundara Raja, Deputy CEO of Investment Promotion and Facilitation, MIDA expressed, “MIDA is committed to building resilient and sustainable electronics supply chain in Malaysia and the ASEAN region. We pursue high-quality and technology-driven investments to boost socio-economic development. Apart from local industry players, we are expanding the benefits of our manufacturing ecosystem to global businesses and brands. With the prospect of a mutually advantageous partnership with MSIA, MIDA is assured that its endeavours to advance Malaysia’s E&E industry will be a resounding success.”

Dato’ Seri Wong Siew Hai, President of MSIA is confident that the E&E sector will be one of the key beneficiaries of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP). In his welcoming remarks, he emphasised that Malaysia also must seize the opportunities arising from CPTPP which come into effect on 29 November 2022.

Mr. Bertrand Stoltz, Executive Vice-President Asia Public Affairs and Managing Director Singapore of STMicroelectronics Asia-Pacific Pte Ltd was the Keynote Speaker and showcased how ST is leading the industry in sustainability with creating technology for a sustainable world in a sustainable way.

The Forum was divided into two panel discussions.  The first panel discussion was on ‘CHIPS and Science Act and US Restrictions’ with panelists including Mr. Jimmy Goodrich, Vice President of Global Policy, Semiconductor Industry Association; Mr. Randy Abrams, Managing Director, Head of Taiwan Research and Asia Semiconductors, Credit Suisse and Mr. Jan Thomas Nicholas, Executive Director, Consulting – Semiconductors, Deloitte Consulting (SEA) Sdn. Bhd.

The second panel discussion revolved on the topic of ‘Sustainability in the E&E Industry’ with panelists including Mr. Vishwanath Ramaswamy, Vice President, General Manager of Western Digital Batu Kawan Manufacturing Operations; Mr.     

Ibrahim Ariffin, Climate Change and Sustainability Services, Ernst & Young Consulting Sdn. Bhd.; Dr. Mousumi Bhat, Vice President of Sustainability Programs, SEMI and Mr. Chan Kim Beng, Senior Advisor, Delivery Centre of Excellence, Global Sales Learning & Development, Dell Technologies. Both the sessions were moderated by Ms. Wong Shou Ning, Business Radio Presenter.

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About MIDA

MIDA is the Government’s principal investment promotion and development agency under the Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI) to oversee and drive investments into the manufacturing and services sectors in Malaysia. Headquartered in Kuala Lumpur Sentral, MIDA has 12 regional and 21 overseas offices. MIDA continues to be the strategic partner to businesses in seizing the opportunities arising from the technology revolution of this era. For more information, please visit www.mida.gov.my and follow us on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, TikTok and YouTube channel.

About MSIA

Malaysia Semiconductor Industry Association (MSIA) is an industry association which cover individuals and companies incorporated in Malaysia who are involved directly or related to Semiconductor Industry (Electronics and Systems), Semiconductor Industry supply chain, institutions providing significant related services to semiconductor industry such as engineering, finance, legal and those societies, associations, chambers and government – linked agencies. For more information, please visit http://www.msia.org.my.

For media enquiries, please contact:

MIDA
Ms. Noor Suziyanti Saad
Director, Electrical and Electronics Division
DL: +603-2267 3575 | Email: [email protected]

MSIA
Ms. Nur Aliah Manshor
Email: [email protected]

Malaysia National E&E Forum 2022

KUALA LUMPUR, 30 DECEMBER 2021 – Simmtech, a South Korean- based global leading manufacturer for Printed Circuit Board (PCB) and packaging substrate for semiconductors, is currently constructing its first large scale factory in Southeast Asia at Batu Kawan Industrial Park, Penang, Malaysia.

Despite the challenges due to the onset of Covid-19, the facility’s construction is right on track and scheduled for completion in the first quarter of 2022. The factory will be manufacturing the region’s first packaging substrates for dynamic random-access memory (DRAM) / NAND memory chips and High-Density Interconnect (HDI) PCB for memory module / Solid State Drive (SSD) devices and operations expected to commence in the second quarter next year.

“Given the supply constraint globally, it is absolutely critical that our Penang project goes full swing to manage the supply chain. With the synergistic support from the Federal government agencies especially Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA) and the State government agencies, our greenfield project is chartering in lightning speed to ramp up capacity to our major customers in this region” said Mr. Jeffery Chun, the Managing Director at Simmtech Southeast Asia.

Dato’ Arham Abdul Rahman, Chief Executive Officer of MIDA shared that “The Electrical and Electronics (E&E) manufacturing industry is rapidly evolving. More and more companies are demanding knowledge-intensive, hi-tech and innovative activities. MIDA is targeting more front-end and back-end semiconductor players as well as their supply chains to consider Malaysia as an alternative site for their production. MIDA welcomes Simmtech and their prospects in nurturing Malaysians to equip themselves with the technological skills for the current industry’s needs and beyond. We are confident that Simmtech will only stand to gain here in Malaysia.”

The project will be invested via its Malaysian subsidiary, Sustio Sdn. Bhd. with the total investment of RM508 million benefitting local businesses with opportunities to be integrated in the global value chain. The new factory in Penang are anticipated to create more than 1,000 high-skilled jobs in engineering, manufacturing and quality management, by the first half of 2022. Furthermore, through the new substrate and PCB factory, Malaysia’s robust ecosystem as a hub for advanced manufacturing will be strengthened, while serving as an important link in driving the global semiconductor value chain. Amidst a depleted supply of chips globally, the steady surge in demand for high-performance computing and memory products catalysed the customers to design co-development programmes with Simmtech to get the products from the newly certified facility, and successfully multiply mass production in the shortest turnover time.

Mr. Chun added, “With this co-development programme with our key customers, we are confident that our project will not only be completed in time and primed for the market, but also be ready for production at full capacity as soon as we commence operations next year.” As one of the world’s largest players in the semiconductor industry, the Penang factory serving as a manufacturing plant for the region’s first packaging substrates will position Simmtech as a differentiator from our competitors, thereby jumpstarting the dynamics of global chips shortage.

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About MIDA

MIDA is the government’s principal investment promotion and development agency under the Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI) to oversee and drive investments into the manufacturing and services sectors in Malaysia. Headquartered in Kuala Lumpur Sentral, MIDA has 12 regional and 20 overseas offices. MIDA continues to be the strategic partner to businesses in seizing the opportunities arising from the technology revolution of this era. For more information, please visit www.mida.gov.my and follow us on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn and YouTube channel.

About Simmtech

Since its establishment in 1987, Simmtech has been focusing on developing and manufacturing high-layer PCB for semiconductors. Equipped with its world best manufacturing competitiveness accumulated throughout the years, Simmtech produces the most advanced PCB to the semiconductor global leaders. The major products by Simmtech include module PCB for semiconductors’ memory expansion and substrates for packaging semiconductor chip.

Simmtech is leading the technology evolution as a core supplier for package substrate to Tier-1 semiconductor customers. Notably, the company’s memory module PCB, BOC boards for DRAM package and Embedded Trace Substrate were awarded “World Class Products” by the Korean Government with the largest market share in the world. Simmtech went public in 2000 at Korea stock exchange market and is expected to reach 1.2 billion USD sales revenue this year.

For more information, please contact:

MIDA
Ms. Azlina Hamdan
Director, E&E Division, MIDA
+603-2267 3791| [email protected]

Simmtech Southeast Asia
Ms. Michelle Chun
Office Manager
+65 8940 3088 |
[email protected]

Sustio, Simmtech’s First Large Scale Factory in Southeast Asia’s Construction Goes Full Steam Ahead in Penang

Kuala Lumpur, 23 December 2021 – Malaysia has attracted a total of RM177.8 billion approved investments in the manufacturing, services and primary sectors, involving 3,037 projects in January to September 2021. This represents an outstanding 51.5 per cent increase compared to the same period last year and is expected to generate 79,899 jobs in the country.

YB. Dato’ Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali, Senior Minister and Minister of International Trade and Industry shared that “The country’s stellar performance is indeed a testament to investors’ strong confidence in Malaysia as a preferred investment hub, particularly our conducive business ecosystem in providing high-skilled talents and having strong readiness in advanced technology. This, in turn, further bolsters our role as a prominent site in global companies’ manufacturing networks, enhancing Malaysia’s position as a pioneering, renowned investment destination in the region.”

The manufacturing sector accounted for the largest share of the total investments for the period, amounting to RM103.9 billion (58.4%), followed by the services sector with RM57.8 billion (32.5%) and the primary sector with RM16.1 billion (9.1%).

Foreign direct investments (FDI) accounted for nearly 60 per cent of approved investments, valued at RM106.1 billion. Singapore, China, Austria, Japan and the Netherlands were the top five (5) foreign investment sources contributing to nearly 85.3 per cent or RM90.6 billion of the total approved FDI in the country.

While FDI lead the approved investments in the manufacturing sector investments from local companies dominated in the services and primary sectors. Domestic direct investments (DDI) totaled RM71.7 billion or 40.3 per cent of the total approved investments.

Five states – Kedah, Sarawak, W.P. Kuala Lumpur, Selangor and Pahang contributed RM134.8 billion (75.8%) to the total approved investments in various sectors.

Manufacturing Sector

A total of 522 manufacturing projects worth RM103.9 billion were approved in the period of January to September 2021, compared to RM64.8 billion in the same period last year, which translates to more than 60 per cent increase.

FDI drove the strong performance of the manufacturing sector during the period soaring by 133.5 per cent compared to the same period in 2020, accounting for 88.3 per cent or RM91.7 billion of the approved investments within the sector. The remaining RM12.2 billion (11.7%) approved investments in the sector were from domestic sources.

In terms of top-performing industries in January to September 2021, the electrical and electronics (E&E) (RM64.3 billion), fabricated metal products (RM14.0 billion), rubber products (RM5.4 billion), basic metal products (RM5.2 billion), food manufacturing (RM4.6 billion), chemicals and chemical products (RM4.1 billion), scientific and measuring equipment (RM2.1 billion) and transport equipment (RM980.8 million) made up 96.8 per cent of total approved investments for the manufacturing sector.

The Senior Minister highlighted Malaysia is focusing on pursuing more high quality, capital-intensive projects and those that support the sustainable development agenda of the nation. “Supporting our nation’s Shared Prosperity Vision (SPV) 2030 and our Twelfth Malaysia Plan (RMK12), we have been securing new investments that align well Malaysia’s National Investment Aspirations (NIA) and Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) principles. This is reflected by the increasing number of capital-intensive projects approved by MIDA in January to September 2021,” he added.

The capital investment per employee (CIPE) ratio of the projects approved during the period increased to RM1,736,420 from RM1,276,071 compared to the same period last year.

From these approved investments, the workforce required include 2,923 managerial positions and 10,207 technical professionals such as engineers in the field of E&E, mechanical, chemical and other disciplines, reflecting the higher value chain transition of the manufacturing sector. The approved manufacturing projects will also require 7,907 skilled craftsmen such as plant maintenance supervisors, tools and die makers, machinists, IT personnel, quality controllers, electricians and welders.

Notable projects approved during the period include AT&S, an Austrian company and global leader of high-end printed circuit boards (PCB) and integrated circuit (IC) substrates that has chosen Malaysia for its first production plant in the region. The company’s RM8.5 billion investment in Kulim, Kedah looks to tap into the country for its manufacturing operation and R&D activities. This will further boost Malaysia’s domestic E&E ecosystem, creating high-tech jobs for Malaysians and opportunities for local vendors.

Nexperia Malaysia, a wholly owned subsidiary of Nexperia BV (Netherlands) which is among the leading players in the high-volume production of essential semiconductors and components that are utilised in a variety of electronic designs, will also be expanding its operations in Negeri Sembilan by investing in building, equipment and automation. This will provide potential job opportunity of 700 skilled workers over time to man and maintain automated production lines, underscoring Malaysia’s local talent capability and mature E&E supply chain that supports companies’ long-term growth.

Japan-based Taiyo Yuden also announced an investment of RM680 million for the expansion of its multilayer ceramic capacitors production in Kuching, Sarawak. This is to meet the growing demands of their clients in ASEAN.

Services Sector

The first nine months of 2021 saw the approval of 2,473 services projects with approved investments of RM57.8 billion. These projects are expected to create 19,731 jobs once implemented.

Domestic investments dominated those approved within the sector, making up RM46.9 billion or 81.1 per cent, while the  remainder RM10.9 billion are from foreign sources.

The real estate sub-sector remained the largest contributor with RM20.1 billion; whereby global establishments, financial services, hotel and tourism as well as transport services have also recorded increases during the period.

Notably, the approved investments for global establishments saw a significant jump in approved investment from the corresponding period last year with RM9.2 billion. A total of 83 projects proposing to make Malaysia their regional or global operations hubs were approved during the period of January to September 2021. These activities, which are expected to create new jobs for 3,760 knowledge-based or highly technical skilled workers, will also position Malaysia on course for greater integration into the global supply chain.

Primary Sector

The primary sector contributed RM16.1 billion or 9.1 per cent to the total approved investments in January to September 2021, a 827 per cent jump from the corresponding period last year.

The mining subsector dominated with approved investments of RM16.0 billion, followed by plantation and commodities with RM84.8 million and agriculture at RM11.5 million. These investments are expected to create 304 jobs in the country.

Investments from domestic sources made up the bulk of the approvals with a total amount of RM12.6 billion or 78.3 per cent, while foreign investments contributed RM3.5 billion or 21.7 per cent.

The Government is fully committed to ensure sustainable recovery and equitable economic growth for our Keluarga Malaysia. MIDA, under the guidance of MITI, continuously strives to ensure the nation and the rakyat are the ultimate beneficiaries of the investments brought into the country. Looking towards 2022, the Government has lined-up strategic and focused trade and investment missions targeted to capture investments in high technology, innovation and research-driven industries that will complement the Malaysian industrial ecosystem.

This will build upon the 523 projects with proposed investments of RM37.2 billion in the manufacturing and services sectors that are within MIDA’s pipeline as of 10 December 2021.   

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About MIDA

MIDA is the government’s principal investment promotion and development agency under the Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI) to oversee and drive investments into the manufacturing and services sectors in Malaysia. Headquartered in Kuala Lumpur Sentral, MIDA has 12 regional and 20 overseas offices. MIDA continues to be the strategic partner to businesses in seizing the opportunities arising from the technology revolution of this era. For more information, please visit www.mida.gov.my and follow us on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn and YouTube.

For media enquiries, please contact:

Fatmah Ahmad (Ms)

Email: [email protected] | DL: +603-2267 2428

Malaysia Records Outstanding RM177.8 Billion Approved Investments in Jan-Sept 2021

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 22 December 2021 – DSR Taiko Berhad (DSR), Malaysia’s first integrated durian specialist is embarking on its international expansion by bringing the homegrown Musang King durian specialities to the global stage, starting with 15 countries in early 2022. Going under the D.MasKing brand, DSR will distribute its in-house developed durian specialities to these countries including People’s Republic of China, United Arab Emirates (UAE), Indonesia, Singapore and South Africa, through its Daily Fresh outlets. This long-term strategic plan was highlighted during the launching of D.Masking’s second flagship store in Lot 10, Bukit Bintang.

DSR is a fully integrated orchard-to-market durian player with extensive knowledge in the upstream orchard management. The Company’s dynamic capabilities are the testament of its strategic alliance with Daily Fresh’s know-how in product development, state-of-the-art facilities as well as its wide distribution networks which enables them to grow their business to the next level.

Dato’ Arham Abdul Rahman, Chief Executive Officer of the Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA), expressed, “One of MIDA’s ethos is to be an effective conduit for product development efforts by Malaysian companies, starting from seeding their research and development (R&D) right up to spurring commercialisation and marketing reach in the domestic and international markets. MIDA via the Domestic Investment Coordination Platform (DICP) has successfully assisted many SMEs and local businesses including DSR to pursue their business plans by providing the missing link between businesses, funding, technology and research capability. We are proud to play a role in facilitating an all-win scenario that would be the pride of the nation.”

During the launching, DSR has also exchanged a Project Agreement with SIRIM Tech Venture, a subsidiary of SIRIM Berhad, to develop SIRIM industry standards on Musang King, one of the most popular breeds of durian via Musang King Integrated Tracking System (MKITS) for the product traceability enhancement. Further to that, the development of the system would involve various entities such as PERKESO and University Research Centres, and upon completion will be used as the ‘gold’ standard for the industry. The collaboration is expected to spur job creation as well as develop new skillsets in agriculture best practices. DSR anticipates to leverage on the incentives available to provide on-the-job trainings for employees to encourage new knowledge creation.

Dato’ Dr Ahmad Sabirin Arshad, President and Group Chief Executive of SIRIM Berhad, commented, “Establishing a quality standard for agriculture facilitates three important steps for future industry development, by setting a base line, enabling product quality enhancements in a meaningful and quantifiable manner, and replicating the system to scale up the operations.”

“We are pleased to pioneer this standard for Musang King in partnership with DSR to raise the industry benchmarks for Musang King plantations in Malaysia. I believe this would also advocate sustainable agriculture practices, by inculcating a discipline in plantation owners to utilise responsible farming methods towards achieving steady growth in the coming years,” added Dato’ Dr Ahmad Sabirin.  

Dato’ Ng Lian Poh, Chief Executive Officer of DSR Taiko Berhad remarked, “Thus far, the durian industry has mostly exported durian fruits. DSR is now taking it a step further to enhance fresh durians’ added value by developing unique specialty products. We are grateful to collaborate with key government agencies to bring Malaysia’s distinctive taste to the world. With the support of MIDA, we are aggressively undertaking R&D and opening up new overseas markets via Daily Fresh’s existing outlets to entice global palates. This would help us tap into the potential of the immense downstream durian products market.”

“In addition, our partnership with SIRIM Tech Venture will enable us to develop a holistic orchards-to-consumer (O2C) business solutions to develop inaugural industry standards for Musang King durians, as well as Musang King Integrated Tracking Systems (MKITS) to enhance product traceability. This is in line with our motto where ‘Origin Matters’ and is a perfect public and private partnership to raise the standards of the durian plantation industry to authenticate the Malaysian-made king of fruits.”

Dato’ Ng concluded, “This journey that we are embarking on will be a long one — akin to the duration a durian tree takes to grow – but we are looking forward to making this particular king of fruits species the pride of Malaysia across the world. We are confident that this growth in the agriculture industry will continue to boost the nation’s economy.”

DSR’s new store would offer specialty durian products such as durian pizza, durian truffle popcorn, Musang King gelato, as well as Musang King gelato filled confectionery in croissants, puffs, waffles and tarts. To further enhance its global appeal, the Company will also participate in the World Expo 2020 which is tentatively scheduled to be held in Dubai in February 2022 to showcase its downstream durian products internationally. DSR also aims to increase the coverage to more than 300 Daily Fresh outlets nationwide in 2022.

Present at the launch were YBhg. Dato’ Arham Abdul Rahman, CEO of MIDA, YBhg. Dato’ Dr Ahmad Sabirin, Group President and Chief Executive of SIRIM Berhad, Mr. Ajmain Bin Kasim, CEO of SIRIM Technology Sdn Bhd, Mr Ng Soh Kian, Executive Chairman of DSR, Dato’ Ng Lian Poh, CEO of DSR, and Mr. Chay Hong Choong, Managing Director of Daily Fresh Foods Group.

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About MIDA

MIDA is the government’s principal promotion agency under the Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI) to oversee and drive investments into the manufacturing and services sectors in Malaysia. Starting operations in 1967 with a relatively small set up of 37 staff, MIDA has grown to become an active and dynamic organisation of over 700 employees. Headquartered in Kuala Lumpur Sentral, MIDA today has 12 regional and 20 overseas offices. MIDA continues to be the strategic partner to businesses in seizing the opportunities arising from the technology revolution of this era. For more information, please visit www.mida.gov.my and follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.

About SIRIM Berhad

A wholly-owned company of the Malaysian Government under the Ministry of International Trade and Industry, SIRIM Berhad is a leading organisation for technology and quality solutions specialising in: Industrial Research, Technology Development and Commercialisation; Certification, Testing and Inspection; Measurement and Calibration; Training; Standards Research and Development; Technology-based Entrepreneurship; and Design Advisory.

About DSR Taiko Berhad (www.dsrfruits.com)

DSR stands for ‘Durian Sudah Runtuh’, denoting a ripe durian and a Malay euphemism for windfall earnings.

DSR is Asia’s first fully integrated orchard-to-market durian player. Established since 2017, DSR’s durian plantation in Raub, Pahang encompasses over 3,800 durian trees, of which majority are authentic Raub Musang King durians.

DSR Daily Fresh Sdn Bhd combines DSR’s durian orchard management expertise with Daily Fresh’s know-how in product development, state-of-the-art facilities, and wide distribution networks internationally. The partnership develops and produces fresh Musang King durian-based products, to be distributed to all Daily Fresh kiosks in Malaysia and overseas, as well as DSR’s own flagship store D.MasKing.

DSR Daily Fresh will make it more accessible for consumers to enjoy durian products all year round and ensure a constant income stream for durian orchard owners.

DSR’s partnership with key government agencies such as MIDA and SIRIM Tech Venture opens a new horizon to promote and create value for Musang King durian products across the globe. With advanced technology being incorporated in agriculture practices, this will further support the sustenance of Musang King plantations in Malaysia. 

For more information, please contact:

MIDA
Mr. Sukri Abu Bakar
Director of Domestic Investment Division
Tel.: +603- 2267 3685
Email: [email protected]

SIRIM
Ms. Amalia Hasannudin
Public relations/strategic communication
Tel.: 017 3096519
Email: [email protected]

DSR TAIKO BERHAD
Aquilas Advisory (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd.

Ms. Julia Pong
Tel.: +603- 27111391 / +6012-3909 258
Email: [email protected]

Ms. Stephanie Wee
Tel.: +603- 27111391 / +6017-3772 816
Email: [email protected]

DSR to Bring Homegrown Durian Specialities to Global Stage

Kuala Lumpur, 9 December 2021 — Nexperia Malaysia Sdn. Bhd., a wholly owned subsidiary of Nexperia BV (Netherlands) will be expanding its presence in Malaysia with the groundbreaking ceremony of its latest facility in Seremban, Negeri Sembilan today.

“By 2026, Nexperia Malaysia is looking to invest an additional RM1.6 billion for building, equipment and automation in Malaysia. This will also provide an opportunity for us to hire 700 more skilled workers over time to man and maintain automated production lines. We are committed to growing our operations here to meet our clients’ demands for our products,” announced Mr. Harith Abdullah, Vice President of Nexperia Malaysia.  

The Netherland-headquartered global semiconductor manufacturer is among the leading players in the high-volume production of essential semiconductors and components that are utilised in a variety of electronic designs. Its extensive product-portfolio includes diodes, transistors, and electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection devices as well as analog and logic integrated circuits.

The company’s new 4-storey building will feature 11,000 sqm of clean room space. With 20,000 sqm’s worth of build-up space, the facility will house a fully automated raw material warehouse and is anticipated to be operational by mid-2022.

YAB Dato’ Seri Haji Aminuddin Harun, Chief Minister of Negeri Sembilan said in his speech, “Nexperia Malaysia’s decision to continue expanding its operations in Negeri Sembilan is a testament to the nation’s comprehensive electrical and electronics (E&E) ecosystem, underscoring our local talent’s capability and developing a supply chain that supports long-term growth. This is a significant step forward for Malaysia’s semiconductor ecosystem. We are proud to be associated with Nexperia Malaysia in driving the Malaysians to be part of the global semiconductor supply chain. Additionally, this investment will ultimately generate employment.”

Dato’ Arham Abdul Rahman, Chief Executive Officer of the Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA) applauded Nexperia’s move to ramp up its chip production in Malaysia, “Nexperia benefits from establishing their footprint in Malaysia, further strengthening their operations in Negeri Sembilan by producing more complex products. With the global chip shortage, we are confident Malaysia will continue to be a desirable E&E location for global companies. We look forward to seeing Nexperia rise up to be among the catalytic investors contributing towards the development of the state’s E&E cluster, creating more opportunities for Malaysians which aligns with the main pillars of our National Investment Aspiration (NIA).”

Notably, Nexperia’s new automated warehouse will triple the company’s storage capacity in comparison to its current warehouse system. The production floor will also be fully automated with Industry 4.0 standards to support its growth on essential power products for the automotive industry.

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About MIDA

MIDA is the government’s principal investment promotion and development agency under the Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI) to oversee and drive investments into the manufacturing and services sectors in Malaysia. Headquartered in Kuala Lumpur Sentral, MIDA has 12 regional and 20 overseas offices. MIDA continues to be the strategic partner to businesses in seizing the opportunities arising from the technology revolution of this era. For more information, please visit www.mida.gov.my and follow us on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn and YouTube channel.

About Nexperia Malaysia

Nexperia is a leading expert in the high-volume production of essential semiconductors, components that are required by every electronic design in the world. The company’s extensive portfolio includes diodes, bipolar transistors, ESD protection devices, MOSFETs, GaN FETs and analog & logic ICs. Focused on efficiency, Nexperia produces consistently reliable semiconductor components at high volume: more than 90 billion annually. The company’s extensive portfolio meets the stringent standards set by the automotive industry. The industry-leading small packages, produced in the company’s manufacturing facilities, combine power and thermal efficiency with best-in-class quality levels. Built on over half a century of expertise, Nexperia has over 12,000 employees across Asia, Europe and the U.S. supporting customers globally.

For more information or media queries, please contact:

Ms. Azlina Hamdan
Director of Electrical & Electronics Division, MIDA
azlina @mida.gov.my | +603-2267 3791

Mr. Raymond Chan
Financial Controller, Nexperia Malaysia
[email protected] | +6012 320 7154

Mr. Muhammad Hilman
Human Resource Director, Nexperia Malaysia
[email protected] I +6016 394 0581

Nexperia Malaysia to Ramp Up Chip Production with New Production Facility in Negeri Sembilan

Malaysia, Johor, 2 December 2021 – Bridge Data Centres, one of the region’s key data centre service providers headquartered in Singapore has announced the construction of its fourth hyperscale data centre (MY06), the largest of its kind in Johor, Malaysia. This will involve an investment value of RM2.5 billion over the next 5 years. A subsidiary of Chindata Group, Bridge has set Phase 1 of the project to be in place by end of 2022 with Phase 2 expected to be in completion shortly thereafter. The Bridge Data Center (BDC) development strategy aims to connect all Chindata Group data centres using dark fiber connectivity, linking with the Malaysian Cable Landing Station to increase the reach of global connection.

“We are proud to be able to continue our expansion journey in Malaysia. This hyperscale campus with three buildings, marks our commitment to scalable and reliable solutions and comes with massive hiring and investment opportunities within the industry,” said Lim Dz Shing, President of Bridge Data Centres.

Approximately located on 40 acres of land area, the hyperscale campus will operate at a combined capacity of 100 MW IT load located strategically within Kidex Sedenak, the jewel component of the larger 7,290 acres of the Sedenak Technology Valley.

YBhg. Dato’ Arham Abdul Rahman, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA) said, “The data center space is economically significant to Malaysia’s transformation towards an advanced digital nation, paving the way for modern businesses. The Digital First Programme, with the goal of increasing the use of cloud computing in the public sector announced as part of Budget 2022, signifies the need of data centers as the key to digital transformation.”

“MIDA is excited to see BDC’s commitment to fortify its presence in Malaysia. It is a strong testimony and confidence in the country’s position to become a regional data centre hub. MIDA and MDEC, through the Digital Investment Office, which role is to attract and facilitate all digital investments in Malaysia, in line with MyDigital Blueprint and National Investment Aspirations (NIA) will continue our effort in transforming new and existing economic clusters as digital enablers, create high income jobs and encourage digital upskilling of the local workforce and businesses.” added Dato’ Arham.

Ts. Mahadhir Aziz, CEO of Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC) remarked, “The establishment of this hyperscale campus is not only a testament to Malaysia’s strength as the digital hub of ASEAN, but also to the country’s perpetual efforts in driving a progressive and inclusive digital economy. The new campus will benefit the people through the creation of new jobs and towards accelerating emerging technology adoption, while showcasing Malaysia’s capabilities and capacities in the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR). We would like to thank Bridge Data Centres for their continued confidence and support of Malaysia’s digital economy.”

In accordance with the Malaysian Government’s nationwide aspiration to achieve 50 percent of the cloud adoption through cloud data centres for 5G adoption by 2024, BDC is committed to invest in the growing data centre economy that is expected to grow significantly in this region.

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About MIDA

MIDA is the Government’s principal investment promotion and development agency under the Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI) to oversee and drive investments into the manufacturing and services sectors in Malaysia. Headquartered in Kuala Lumpur Sentral, MIDA has 12 regional and 20 overseas offices. MIDA continues to be the strategic partner to businesses in seizing the opportunities arising from the technology revolution of this era. For more information, please visit www.mida.gov.my and follow us on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn and YouTube channel.

About MDEC

Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC) is the agency under the Ministry of Communications and Multimedia Malaysia leading the nation’s digital transformation for 25 years. MDEC’s agenda is Malaysia 5.0, enabling a nation deeply integrated with technology, providing equitable digital opportunities to the people and businesses. In order to achieve this, we will focus on four key DIGITAL thrusts, New skills, Adoption, Disruptors and Investments. This forms the basis of our NADI Digital brand campaign that will drive our core programmes for the rakyat, business and investors. MDEC’s aim is for Malaysia to become a globally competitive digital nation, anchored on inclusivity, sustainability and shared prosperity, firmly establishing Malaysia as the Heart of Digital ASEAN. To find out more about MDEC’s Digital Economy initiatives, please visit us at www.mdec.my or follow us on: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MyMDEC/ Twitter: @mymdec

About Bridge Data Centres

A subsidiary of NASDAQ-listed Chindata Group, Bridge Data Centres is one of the largest Data Centre companies in the region, providing hyperscale and wholesale data center solutions. Headquartered in Singapore, Bridge Data Centres will be operating 156+ MW of IT capacity across India and Malaysia. Offering a full range of innovative and transformative solutions for businesses looking to grow their reach and revenue in emerging markets and are committed to attaining carbon neutrality by 2030 as announced by Chindata Group. For more details, please visit bridgedatacentres.com.

For more information or media queries, please contact:

MIDA

Business Services and Regional Operations, MIDA
Ms. Rosedalina Ramlan
Email : [email protected] | DL: +603-2267 3515

MDEC

Digital Investment Division, MDEC
Mr. Razif Abdul Aziz
Email : [email protected] | DL: +603-8315 3111

Bridge Data Centres

W. Media on behalf of Bridge Data Centres
Mr. Justin Heyes
Email: [email protected] | DL: +60 11 6418 2724

Bridge Data Centres Announces Construction Of Its Fourth Hyperscale Data Centre Campus In Johor, Malaysia

Malaysia attracted a total of RM153.2 billion worth of investments in the manufacturing, services and primary sectors for the first nine months of 2015, International Trade and Industry Minister Dato’ Sri Mustapa Mohamed said.

This was lower than the RM180 billion approved in the same period last year. The drop was mainly due to a big decline in the approvals for investments in the real estate sector from RM57.9 billion in the period January-September 2014 to RM 21.0 billion in the same period this year. This is consistent with the softening in the property market.

Approvals in the other sectors however, especially manufacturing, remained robust. “This indicates that investor confidence in Malaysia remains high despite the decline in global FDI inflows and the challenging global economic environment,” he said.

The investments approved were in 3,727 projects and are expected to generate 139,720 job opportunities for Malaysians. Domestic investments of RM124.9 billion accounted for 82% of investments, with foreign investments making up the rest.

The services sector accounted for the largest share of the total investments, contributing 54.0% or RM82.7 billion, followed by the manufacturing sector with investments of RM67.7 billion or 44.2%, and the primary sector with approved investments of RM2.8 billion or 1.8%.

MANUFACTURING SECTOR

Malaysia continues to be a competitive location for manufacturing projects. A total of 522 projects worth RM67.7 billion were approved in January-September 2015 compared with RM63.3 billion in 622 projects in the corresponding period of 2014, representing an increase of 7% in capital investments.

Dato’ Sri Mustapa noted that investors have responded positively to the Government’s initiatives towards promoting investments in capital-intensive, high-value added and high technology projects. This is reflected in the increase of the capital investment per employee (CIPE) ratio from RM970,938 in the first nine months of 2014 to RM1,349,298 during the same period of this year.

Regional Corridors attracted 43.5% of approved investments in the manufacturing sector for January-September 2015. By value of investments in projects with approved Manufacturing Licence, the Sarawak Corridor of Renewable Energy (SCORE) registered the highest level with investments of RM10.6 billion, followed by Northern Corridor Economic Region (NCER) at RM6.6 billion, Iskandar Malaysia at RM3.3 billion, Eastern Corridor Economic Region (ECER) at RM1.8 billion, and Sabah Development Corridor (SDC) at RM0.3 billion.

Investments in SCORE were largely due to an Oil & Gas project, which attracted RM10.4 billion in Bintulu, Sarawak. Investments in NCER were dominated by the RM4.2 billion investments in the electrical and electronics industry. Iskandar Malaysia continued to draw projects within food manufacturing (RM1.4 billion), chemical & chemical products (RM497.8 million), fabricated metal products (RM423.4 million) and machinery & equipment (RM206.9 million). Notably, Iskandar Malaysia’s Oil & Gas activities are concentrated in the Tanjung Langsat and Tanjung Bin areas.

The full potential of South Johor is complemented by the Pengerang area. The Pengerang Integrated Complex (PIC) project, the biggest contributor to Johor’s approved investments for the first nine months of this year, is moving on a steady course. This project is expected to meet future energy requirements and strengthen PETRONAS’ position as a key player in the Asian chemicals market as it focuses on differentiated and specialty chemicals.

ECER received 20 manufacturing projects during this period, which are expected to generate 1,280 employment opportunities, while SDC attracted a total of 8 manufacturing projects with investments of RM338.2 million during the first nine months of 2015.

SERVICES SECTOR

Approved investments in the services sector contracted slightly in the first nine months of this year compared with the corresponding period of 2014. This was mainly due to the softening of the property market that led to the lower investments in the real estate sector, which recorded RM21.0 billion for the first 9 months of this year compared with RM57.9 billion in January-September 2014.

However, investments in majority of the key services subsectors registered increases. Among them include the MSC status approvals with an increase of 63% to RM3.8 billion in January-September this year. This was followed by utilities subsector which escalated 62% to RM10.1 billion and the health services subsector that saw an increase of 50% to RM3.3 billion. The education services registered a 26% increase to RM1.5 billion while hotel & tourism saw a rise of 7% to RM4.8 billion.

The potential employment for the approved services projects for January-September 2015 has also increased by 13.2% (88,433) compared with the potential employment opportunities for the same period last year (78,153).

For the period January-September 2015, MIDA approved 173 projects on Global Establishments proposing to make Malaysia their Global Operations Hubs, Principal Hubs, Operational Headquarters, International Procurement Centres, Regional Offices, Representative Offices and Treasury Management Centres for businesses. Investments in these projects were valued at RM7.1 billion, with significant spin-off effects on the economy. These activities are expected to create job opportunities for more than 3,700 knowledge-based or highly technical-skilled workers, as well as putting Malaysia on course for greater integration into the Global Supply Chains/Global Value Chains. Out of the total, MIDA has approved 3 Principal Hub projects with investments worth RM703.7 million since its introduction on 1 May 2015.

PRIMARY SECTOR

Investments in the primary sector decreased from RM12.2 billion to RM2.8 billion in the first nine months of 2015, attributed by lower investments in the upstream oil and gas activities and the challenge of lower global crude oil prices. Industry players in the oil and gas sector are rationalising and streamlining their operations to make their projects economically viable at the current oil price range.

Dato’ Sri Mustapa, while noting that the total investments for the first nine months of 2015 were lower than the RM180 billion during the same period last year, pointed out that Malaysia’s achievement was still commendable given the global economic environment.

“Malaysia continues to be a preferred investment destination despite falling global FDI flows. And the high rate of domestic investments demonstrates the confidence of Malaysian investors in the Government’s Economic Transformation Programme. The outlook for the full year of 2015 would still be encouraging, with approval levels in the manufacturing sector being on track. I am optimistic that the services sector, with the exception of the real estate industry, will also deliver a similar performance,” he said.

Malaysia Records RM153.2 Billion Investments In The First Nine Months Of 2015

Malaysia attracted a total of RM153.2 billion worth of investments in the manufacturing, services and primary sectors for the first nine months of 2015, International Trade and Industry Minister Dato’ Sri Mustapa Mohamed said.

This was lower than the RM180 billion approved in the same period last year. The drop was mainly due to a big decline in the approvals for investments in the real estate sector from RM57.9 billion in the period January-September 2014 to RM 21.0 billion in the same period this year. This is consistent with the softening in the property market.

Approvals in the other sectors however, especially manufacturing, remained robust. “This indicates that investor confidence in Malaysia remains high despite the decline in global FDI inflows and the challenging global economic environment,” he said.

The investments approved were in 3,727 projects and are expected to generate 139,720 job opportunities for Malaysians. Domestic investments of RM124.9 billion accounted for 82% of investments, with foreign investments making up the rest.

The services sector accounted for the largest share of the total investments, contributing 54.0% or RM82.7 billion, followed by the manufacturing sector with investments of RM67.7 billion or 44.2%, and the primary sector with approved investments of RM2.8 billion or 1.8%.

MANUFACTURING SECTOR

Malaysia continues to be a competitive location for manufacturing projects. A total of 522 projects worth RM67.7 billion were approved in January-September 2015 compared with RM63.3 billion in 622 projects in the corresponding period of 2014, representing an increase of 7% in capital investments.

Dato’ Sri Mustapa noted that investors have responded positively to the Government’s initiatives towards promoting investments in capital-intensive, high-value added and high technology projects. This is reflected in the increase of the capital investment per employee (CIPE) ratio from RM970,938 in the first nine months of 2014 to RM1,349,298 during the same period of this year.

Regional Corridors attracted 43.5% of approved investments in the manufacturing sector for January-September 2015. By value of investments in projects with approved Manufacturing Licence, the Sarawak Corridor of Renewable Energy (SCORE) registered the highest level with investments of RM10.6 billion, followed by Northern Corridor Economic Region (NCER) at RM6.6 billion, Iskandar Malaysia at RM3.3 billion, Eastern Corridor Economic Region (ECER) at RM1.8 billion, and Sabah Development Corridor (SDC) at RM0.3 billion.

Investments in SCORE were largely due to an Oil & Gas project, which attracted RM10.4 billion in Bintulu, Sarawak. Investments in NCER were dominated by the RM4.2 billion investments in the electrical and electronics industry. Iskandar Malaysia continued to draw projects within food manufacturing (RM1.4 billion), chemical & chemical products (RM497.8 million), fabricated metal products (RM423.4 million) and machinery & equipment (RM206.9 million). Notably, Iskandar Malaysia’s Oil & Gas activities are concentrated in the Tanjung Langsat and Tanjung Bin areas.

The full potential of South Johor is complemented by the Pengerang area. The Pengerang Integrated Complex (PIC) project, the biggest contributor to Johor’s approved investments for the first nine months of this year, is moving on a steady course. This project is expected to meet future energy requirements and strengthen PETRONAS’ position as a key player in the Asian chemicals market as it focuses on differentiated and specialty chemicals.

ECER received 20 manufacturing projects during this period, which are expected to generate 1,280 employment opportunities, while SDC attracted a total of 8 manufacturing projects with investments of RM338.2 million during the first nine months of 2015.

SERVICES SECTOR

Approved investments in the services sector contracted slightly in the first nine months of this year compared with the corresponding period of 2014. This was mainly due to the softening of the property market that led to the lower investments in the real estate sector, which recorded RM21.0 billion for the first 9 months of this year compared with RM57.9 billion in January-September 2014.

However, investments in majority of the key services subsectors registered increases. Among them include the MSC status approvals with an increase of 63% to RM3.8 billion in January-September this year. This was followed by utilities subsector which escalated 62% to RM10.1 billion and the health services subsector that saw an increase of 50% to RM3.3 billion. The education services registered a 26% increase to RM1.5 billion while hotel & tourism saw a rise of 7% to RM4.8 billion.

The potential employment for the approved services projects for January-September 2015 has also increased by 13.2% (88,433) compared with the potential employment opportunities for the same period last year (78,153).

For the period January-September 2015, MIDA approved 173 projects on Global Establishments proposing to make Malaysia their Global Operations Hubs, Principal Hubs, Operational Headquarters, International Procurement Centres, Regional Offices, Representative Offices and Treasury Management Centres for businesses. Investments in these projects were valued at RM7.1 billion, with significant spin-off effects on the economy. These activities are expected to create job opportunities for more than 3,700 knowledge-based or highly technical-skilled workers, as well as putting Malaysia on course for greater integration into the Global Supply Chains/Global Value Chains. Out of the total, MIDA has approved 3 Principal Hub projects with investments worth RM703.7 million since its introduction on 1 May 2015.

PRIMARY SECTOR

Investments in the primary sector decreased from RM12.2 billion to RM2.8 billion in the first nine months of 2015, attributed by lower investments in the upstream oil and gas activities and the challenge of lower global crude oil prices. Industry players in the oil and gas sector are rationalising and streamlining their operations to make their projects economically viable at the current oil price range.

Dato’ Sri Mustapa, while noting that the total investments for the first nine months of 2015 were lower than the RM180 billion during the same period last year, pointed out that Malaysia’s achievement was still commendable given the global economic environment.

“Malaysia continues to be a preferred investment destination despite falling global FDI flows. And the high rate of domestic investments demonstrates the confidence of Malaysian investors in the Government’s Economic Transformation Programme. The outlook for the full year of 2015 would still be encouraging, with approval levels in the manufacturing sector being on track. I am optimistic that the services sector, with the exception of the real estate industry, will also deliver a similar performance,” he said.

Visit Facts & Figures

Posted on : 18 December 2015

Malaysia Records RM153.2 Billion Investments In The First Nine Months Of 2015

Shah Alam, Selangor, 18 December 2020 – Panasonic Appliances Air-conditioning Malaysia Sdn. Bhd. (PAPAMY) and Universiti Malaya (UM) have agreed to establish cooperation by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for Academic- Industrial Collaboration. The MOU signing ceremony was witnessed by Mr. Ahmad Khairuddin Abdul Rahim, Deputy Chief Executive Officer II of the Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA).

The signing of the MoU establishes a strong framework for strategic collaboration of Masters and PhD research projects, industrial training and job placements as well as research between UM’s professors, researchers and PAPAMY. The immediate scope of focus for this collaboration will be in the area of Industry 4.0 enhancement, particularly in the field of manufacturing and engineering excellence.

Mr. Ahmad Khairuddin commended on this partnership, saying “Panasonic’s presence in Malaysia is the prime example of how business and technology evolve as the Company has been continuously making necessary adjustments to reskill its talent and shift towards automation and robotics. While many companies are unwilling to spend for training during this turbulent time, PAPAMY has chosen to initiate an industry-academia collaboration with a reputable local university, UM that looks to elevate our workforce with relevant digital skills, resilience and agility to face the challenges posed by the uncertain economic climate.”

The Panasonic Group of Companies in Malaysia was first establishment in 1965. The Company has been continuously investing and contributing to the development of the Malaysian economy. Today, the Group continues to emphasise on human development based on the founder’s philosophy “People before Product”.

The Group’s subsidiary, PAPAMY was established in Malaysia in 1972. It continues to pursue targeted investments in its two facilities in Shah Alam, particularly in transforming its facilities into the Smart Factory concept, shifting away from more labour intensive manufacturing practices. Its facilities also include a regional R&D Centre to move up its business to undertake higher value-added and environmentally sustainable activities.

This MoU affirms the strong commitment of Panasonic towards transforming and empowering higher education through developing highly skilled knowledge and talents in line with Malaysia’s aspirations towards Industry4.0.

The Panasonic Group will continue to seek opportunities for further collaborations with top educational institutions and government agencies to establish high-level talent development programmes among Malaysians, complementing its aim of “Global technology, Local talent”.

As Malaysia is moving into the Industry 4.0 era that demands an increasing need for a combination of technical know-how, critical thinking, problem-solving capabilities as well as soft skills, our workforce needs to be advanced in fields of Industry 4.0 technology drivers such as Internet of Things (IOT) to meet the industries’ needs. MIDA hopes that this MOU which taps upon the wealth of expertise at PAPAMY and UM will be instrumental in building a talent pool that is industry-ready and dynamic for the future.

***

For further enquiries, please contact:

Ms. Azlina Hamdan

Director, Electrical and Electronics Division, MIDA

Phone: 03-2267 3791 | Email: [email protected]

Datuk Moktar Bin Mohd Salleh

Human Resource Director, PAPAMY

Phone: 03-58914124

About MIDA

MIDA is the government’s principal investment promotion and development agency under the Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI) to oversee and drive investments into the manufacturing and services sectors in Malaysia. Headquartered in Kuala Lumpur Sentral, MIDA has 12 regional and 20 overseas offices. MIDA continues to be the strategic partner to businesses in seizing the opportunities arising from the technology revolution of this era. For more information, please visit www.mida.gov.my and follow us on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn and YouTube channel.

About PAPAMY

PAPAMY is the largest air-conditioning manufacturer in APAC region for Panasonic Group supplying to more than 120 countries around the world.

MIDA Bridges Academic-Industrial Collaboration between Panasonic Appliances Air-Conditioning Malaysia (PAPAMY) and Universiti Malaya

Cyberview Sdn. Bhd. (Cyberview) today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA) to leverage each other’s capabilities and strength in capitalising domestic direct investment (DDI) and foreign direct investment (FDI) opportunities in Malaysia as their choice location for high and deep technology projects.

Dato’ Azman Mahmud, Chief Executive Officer of MIDA, says that the collaboration in attracting quality investment augurs well for the country’s economy as the market looks to get back in shape post the COVID-19 pandemic. “MIDA seeks to not only promote the development of our industrial ecosystems but also to ensure that the enablers are in place. This includes having the right infrastructure and facilities in place to cater to the requirements of businesses, particularly as we weather this pandemic. This MOU with Cyberview is undoubtedly a step towards this goal. As announced in Budget 2021, Malaysia is seeking to drive more investments in the fields of R&D, Global Trading Centre and Principal Hub. MIDA is optimistic that through this MOU, we will be able to facilitate our investors better as Cyberjaya could potentially be the ideal location for these investments given its well-equipped infrastructure and connectivity, comprehensive smart city masterplan and close radius to public and private universities supplying knowledge workers. We trust that it will translate more quality investments coming into Malaysia, particularly within the technology sphere.”

Najib Ibrahim, Managing Director of Cyberview, said, “We will be working closely with MIDA to entice and bring home sustainable investments in high value services activities including Principal Hub and Global Distribution Centers, innovative and technology-based services. We also aim to increase job opportunities, particularly in tech-related fields as well as encourage capital transfers into Cyberjaya, and ultimately Malaysia. We are confident that this MOU will enhance our city’s innovative ecosystem by spurring R&D&C activities, with efforts focused on technology clusters such as smart mobility, smart healthcare and digital creative, however we are not entirely limited to these three areas. These areas are part of our new masterplan for Cyberjaya that aims to create a unique identity for the smart city as a preferred tech investment location.”

“Forward-looking companies with innovation high on their agenda have been able to focus on gaining their competitive edge amidst the volatility and uncertainties of today’s business environment. Companies are now starting to recognise digitalisation and innovation as strategic elements to ensure business resiliency, continuity, and growth. Organisations that are looking for a quick start to their digitisation journey can explore global tech hubs like Cyberjaya that offers an innovation ecosystem supported by affordable infrastructure, a wealth of human capital, incentives as well as government and regulatory support,” Najib Ibrahim added.

The Government has mandated Cyberview to catalyse Cyberjaya’s journey towards becoming a global tech hub. In its new role as the tech hub developer, Cyberview will focus on key initiatives to advance the development of Cyberjaya, including efforts to cultivate a robust and well-developed ecosystem for the city’s existing and potential companies.

For media enquiries, please contact: 

Sikh Shamsul Ibrahim Sikh Abdul Majid 

Director, Foreign Investment Promotion Division 

Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA) 

Phone : +603 2267 6633 Email : [email protected]

Nadia Azmi 

Asst. Manager, Public Relations Strategic Communications & Marketing Business, 

City and Communications Division Cyberview Sdn Bhd 

HP : (016) 260 3520 Email : [email protected]

Note to Editors 

About MIDA MIDA is the government’s principal investment promotion and development agency under the Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI) to oversee and drive investments into the manufacturing and services sectors in Malaysia. Headquartered in Kuala Lumpur Sentral, MIDA has 12 regional and 20 overseas offices. MIDA continues to be the strategic partner to businesses in seizing the opportunities arising from the technology revolution of this era. For more information, please visit www.mida.gov.my and follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook, LinkedIn and YouTube channel.

About Cyberview Sdn Bhd Cyberview has been at the forefront of Malaysia’s development as a technological hub since its inception in 1996. Starting out as the landowner of Cyberjaya, it has grown from strength to strength, until maturing into its current role as the tech hub developer of Cyberjaya. For more information, please visit http://www.cyberview.com.my.

Investors and businesses that are interested in setting up operations in Cyberjaya can contact CISC for end-to-end assistance and facilitation. Services offered include facilitation of market and ecosystem-related matters, talent sourcing, expatriate processes involved and facilitation on land and buildings available in Cyberjaya. The centre also serves as a City Services & Cybercity Manager, facilitating enquiries regarding the township and community of the smart city. To get in touch with the CISC, do call or WhatsApp +603-8750 5170 or email [email protected]

Cyberview and MIDA Signed MoU for Collaboration to Attract Investments in High Value and Technology-based Services

Kuala Lumpur, 3 December 2020 – The Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA), Korean SMEs and Startups Agency (KOSME), together with the Korea Desk, a dedicated unit jointly set up by MIDA and KOSME successfully held a ‘Korea-Malaysia Technology Matching Session’ from 30 November 2020 to 2 December 2020. This virtual business matching session is the second session of its kind following its first edition in August this year.

To ensure a productive session, KOSME shortlisted Korean companies seeking Malaysian counterparts for technology transfer undertakings, partnerships, joint ventures and OEM producers. A total of 12 Korean companies from various industries and niches participate in this three-day event. These include electrical and electronics (E&E), green technology and medical industry players.

Simultaneously, Malaysian companies identified by MIDA for the session were seeking to acquire advanced Korean technology to improve their operational productivity and facilities; as well as potential OEM or joint-venture opportunities to expand their domestic and global clientele. More than 50 companies in relevant industries actively participated in the matching session.

Malaysia and Korea have a long-standing business partnership. As at June 2020, a total of 387 manufacturing projects with Korean participation, amounting to RM26.6 billion (USD8.0 billion) have been implemented in the country. These investments were primarily concentrated in industries such as chemical and chemical products, E&E, petroleum products (including petrochemicals), basic metal products and non-metallic mineral products; creating more than 53,032 jobs for the economy.

Additionally, in the first nine months of 2020, seven (7) manufacturing projects with Korean participation were approved, with investments worth RM1.4 billion (USD331.6 million). These projects are to create employment opportunities for 686 people.

To sustain this investment momentum, the Korea Desk is mandated to provide hands-on facilitation support to Korean investors in Malaysia and promote further business partnerships between the two countries. KOSME is a Korean governmental agency that supports Korean SMEs by providing financing schemes, comprehensive training programs, consultation services and globalisation programmes.

In recent decades, Malaysia, through MIDA, has been welcoming high technology, high value-added, knowledge-and capital-intensive foreign direct investments. The agency has been leveraging an ecosystem approach in targeting investors to complete the gaps in the value chain of industry in Malaysia. MIDA is optimistic that investors will find the country’s well-established local supporting industry network and business infrastructure ideal to set up their operations to do business in the region and beyond.

Furthermore, MIDA has been strategically targeting projects for technological advanced products and services by staying abreast with megatrend developments, including Industry 4.0. Given the rapid evolution of industries in line with technological developments within cyber-physical systems, it is crucial for Malaysia to embrace this trend to remain competitive in the global business landscape. Collaborations between Korean and Malaysian companies in high-value sectors such as ICT, data analytics, design and development will be instrumental in propelling Malaysian companies up within the global value chain; enabling the rise of more local champions.

Companies are urged to seize the opportunity to leverage on the various initiatives and facilities offered by the Government to move towards Industry 4.0. These include Domestic Investment Strategic Fund (DISF), Automation Capital Allowance (ACA) for companies undertaking automation, Industry4WRD Intervention Fund, as well as Smart Automation Grant (SAG). More information can be obtained on the MIDA website at www.mida.gov.my.

*****

About MIDA

MIDA is the government’s principal investment promotion and development agency under the Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI) to oversee and drive investments into the manufacturing and services sectors in Malaysia. Headquartered in Kuala Lumpur Sentral, MIDA has 12 regional and 20 overseas offices. MIDA continues to be the strategic partner to businesses in seizing the opportunities arising from the technology revolution of this era. For more information, please visit www.mida.gov.my and follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook, LinkedIn and Youtube channel.

About KOSME

The Korea SMEs and Startups Agency (KOSME) is a non-profit, government-funded organisation established to implement government policies and programmes for the sound growth and development of Korean SMEs. KOSME, through its 31 regional offices; annually provides various financing schemes of USD3.5 billion for SMEs to expand operations, develop new products and convert their business structures. It also offers comprehensive human resource development courses in five (5) training centres, and runs 19 youth startup academies to foster young entrepreneurs in Korea. For the globalisation of SMEs, KOSME conducts overseas marketing and global cooperation programs through its 24 overseas presence.

For more information, please contact:

Mr. Nazuki Abdullah 

Director, Domestic Investment and Supply Chain Coordination Division, MIDA 

Tel.: 03- 2267 3744| Email: [email protected]

Mr. Chon Yong Ho 

Korean Director of Korea Desk, MIDA 

Tel.: 03-2263 2500 | Email: [email protected] 

MIDA, KOSME & Korea Desk Join Hands to Promote More Business Partnerships between Malaysia and Korea

Kuala Lumpur, 2 December 2020 – The Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI) today launched the Smart Automation Grant (SAG) aimed at encouraging the adoption of automation for industry players, particularly local manufacturers and service providers.

YB Dato’ Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali, Senior Minister and Minister of International Trade and Industry said, “The Government, through the Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA) is committed in driving Malaysia’s industry and businesses towards automation and digitalisation. It goes beyond having the right solution providers and talents in place; it is also about ensuring that the need for accessible financial aid is met.

The Smart Automation Grant is timely to boost strategic domestic investments that will assist and incentivise the small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and mid-tier Companies (MTCs) to future-proof their operations, production and trade channels,” he added.

This SAG initiative is part of the RM100 million allocation within the National Economic Recovery Plan or PENJANA, which was announced in June 2020. This grant will be awarded on a matching basis or 50 per cent of total eligible expenditures, up to a maximum grant cap of RM1 million per company.

SMEs and MTCs that have been undertaking manufacturing or services activities in the past 12 months are eligible to be considered for SAG. To qualify for the incentive, the automation machine, equipment or software purchased must be used directly in the company’s value chain to improve their productivity and efficiency. Improvements will be assessed on a range of criteria such as reduction of unskilled workers, man-hours, defect rate as well as the increase in production volume. Interested stakeholders are able to submit their application for SAG to MIDA from 1 November 2020 to 31 December 2021.

“The Government is optimistic that this grant will see to a more robust uptake of automation and digitalisation efforts in the country to meet the technologically evolving global supply chain today. SAG will not only improve Malaysia’s industrial competitiveness and capabilities but also reduce our reliance on low-skilled foreign workers while creating new job opportunities in high value-added sectors,” said YB Dato’ Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali.

Furthermore, MIDA, in collaboration with selected panel banks, will be organising an Acceleration Programme for Smart Automation Grant to create awareness and provide financial guidance to companies on automation and digitalisation through a series of simulation training and evaluation sessions.

**** 

About MIDA

MIDA is the government’s principal investment promotion and development agency under the Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI) to oversee and drive investments into the manufacturing and services sectors in Malaysia. Headquartered in Kuala Lumpur Sentral, MIDA has 12 regional and 20 overseas offices. MIDA continues to be the strategic partner to businesses in seizing the opportunities arising from the technology revolution of this era. For more information, please visit www.mida.gov.my and follow us on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn and YouTube channel.

For more information, please contact:

Ms. Masni Muhammad 

Director, Strategic Planning and Policy Advocacy (Manufacturing) Division, MIDA 

Email: [email protected] | DL: +603 2267 6786

Smart Automation Grant (SAG) to Enable Future-Proofing of Local Businesses

Kuala Lumpur, 1 December 2020 – Malaysia recorded a total of RM109.8 billion worth of investments in the manufacturing, services and primary sectors for the first nine months of 2020. These investments involved 2,935 projects and will create 64,701 jobs opportunities in Malaysia.

Of the total investments approved, domestic direct investments (DDI) accounted for 61.2 per cent, or RM67.2 billion, while foreign direct investments (FDI) made up the rest of RM42.6 billion.

China (RM17.0 billion), Singapore (RM8.0 billion), the USA (RM2.8 billion), Switzerland (RM2.8 billion), and the Netherlands (RM2.4 billion) were the top five (5) sources of approved FDI for the manufacturing, services and primary sectors during the period.

For approved projects by state, the five major states namely Selangor, Sarawak, Sabah, W.P. Kuala Lumpur dan Pulau Pinang contributed RM76.8 billion (69.9%) to the total approved investments for January to September 2020.

The manufacturing sector attracted the largest portion of approved investments for this period, contributing more than half (59.5 per cent) or RM65.3 billion, followed by the services sector with investments of 39.0 per cent or RM42.8 billion, and the primary sector with approved investments of 1.5 per cent or RM1.7 billion.

Manufacturing Sector

In the first nine months of 2020, a total of 740 projects worth RM65.3 billion were approved compared with RM56.0 billion in 669 projects in the corresponding period of 2019, representing an increase of 16.6 per cent in capital investments. These projects will create 51,172 jobs opportunities in the economy.

The total investments approved in the manufacturing sector were mainly in the petroleum products including petrochemicals (RM15.0 billion), basic metal products (RM14.5 billion), electrical and electronics (RM7.7 billion), machinery and equipment (RM5.8 billion), chemicals and chemical products (RM4.5 billion), food manufacturing (RM3.0 billion), transport equipment (RM3.0 billion) and scientific and measuring equipment (RM2.1 billion). These industries make up 85 per cent of total approved investments for the sector.

Compared to the corresponding period last year, domestic direct investment (DDI) in the manufacturing sector saw a leap of 45.5 per cent to RM25.9 billion while the value of approved foreign direct investments (FDI) increased by 3.2 per cent to RM39.4 billion.

The states that recorded the highest total approved investments in the manufacturing sector for the period are Sarawak, Sabah, Pulau Pinang, Selangor and Johor. These states have collectively contributed RM51.3 billion (78.6%).

Meanwhile, the leading sources of FDI for the period of January to September 2020 were China, Singapore, Switzerland, the USA, the Netherlands, Thailand, Japan and Republic of Korea. These eight (8) countries jointly accounted for 91.4 per cent or RM36.0 billion of the total FDI approved in the manufacturing sector.

Service Sector

From January to September 2020, the services sectors recorded 2,180 approved projects with investments of RM42.8 billion. These approved services projects in the first nine months of 2020 are expected to create 13,390 jobs to the economy.

DDI led the total approved investments in the services sector, contributing RM40.6 billion (94.9%) where else FDI represented the remaining RM2.2 bilion.

Majority of the main services sub-sectors showed a significant decline in approved investments except for support services, MSC status projects and other services such as BioNexus status and software developments.

The top five (5) contributors of approved investments in the services sector were real estate (RM23.7 billion), utilities (RM7.2 billion), support services (RM4.0 billion), telecommunications (RM2.6 billion) and financial services (RM2.1 billion).

The support services industry under the purview of MIDA covered sub-sectors such as integrated logistics, research and development, green technology, integrated circuit design, oil and gas services and licensed warehouse.

In the first nine months of 2020, approved investments in the support services industry saw an increase of 17.9 per cent compared to the corresponding period in 2019. This is contributed by projects in green building, waste management, integrated logistics services and energy saving that recorded increases of more than 100 per cent.

Primary Sector

In January – September 2020, the primary sector attracted investments worth RM1.7 billion. This sector comprises three main sub-sectors namely mining; agriculture; and plantation and commodities will create 139 jobs in the economy.

FDI dominated the total approved investments in the sector, recording RM1.0 billion (58.8%) while DDI accounted for RM653.2 million or 41.2 per cent.

Conclusion

YB Dato’ Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali, Senior Minister and Minister of International Trade and Industry (MITI), commented, “While the COVID-19 pandemic is still a battle we are fighting to overcome with the rest of the world, the Government has never wavered in prioritising the needs of our people. We are striving to ensure the livelihood of our citizens and the sustainability of businesses, not only through this pandemic but for years ahead. Thus, the Budget 2021 cements the groundwork to accelerate investments in Malaysia to spur further economic recovery and create a multiplier effect on the economy.”

i) Among the initiatives within Budget 2021 directed to the business community include:

ii) A competitive RM1 billion special incentive package for high value-added technology projects including R&D investments in aerospace and electronic clusters;

iii) Income tax rate of 0 per cent up to 10 per cent for the first 10 years and 10 per cent for the subsequent period of 10 years to manufacturers of pharmaceutical products including vaccines;

iv) A 10 per cent income tax rate for a period of 5 years and renewable for another 5 years for Global Trading Centres (GTC);

v) An extension of the Principal Hub, Industrialised Building System (IBS) components manufacturing, and shipbuilding and ship repairing industry (SBSR) incentives’ application period; and

vi) Expansion of the scope of special tax rates to selected manufacturing companies which relocate their businesses into Malaysia or undertake new investments, to include selected high-technology services sectors.

“The Government, through MIDA, looks forward to leveraging these competitive incentives to scout and entice more investors, both local and foreign alike, to capitalise on the opportunities in Malaysia fully. We are confident that investors will derive value by taping on Malaysia’s well-established local supporting industry network and talented workforce to undertake high-tech products manufacturing and high value-added services. This is to cater to their clients in the region, in the present and the future,” added YB Dato’ Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali.

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About MIDA

MIDA is the government’s principal investment promotion and development agency under the Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI) to oversee and drive investments into the manufacturing and services sectors in Malaysia. Headquartered in Kuala Lumpur Sentral, MIDA has 12 regional and 20 overseas offices. MIDA continues to be the strategic partner to businesses in seizing the opportunities arising from the technology revolution of this era. For more information, please visit www.mida.gov.my and follow us on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn and YouTube channel.

For more information, please contact: 

Ms. Manjit Kaur 

Director, Corporate Communications Division, MIDA 

Email: [email protected] | DL: +603 2267 3509

Malaysia Records Total Approved Investments of RM109.8 Billion in the Economy, Creating 64,701 Job Opportunities for January – September 2020