Working Visit of the Prime Minister, YAB Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim to London, from 15 to 19 January 2025

Malaysia continues to solidify its status as a premier investment destination in ASEAN, leveraging its strong bilateral ties and historic relationship with the United Kingdom. The recent working visit by the Prime Minister, YAB Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim to London from 15 to 19 January 2025, at the invitation of the UK Prime Minister the Right Honourable Sir Keir Starmer, marked a pivotal step in advancing trade, attracting high-value investments, and driving innovation.

As part of the visit, the Ministry of Investment, Trade, and Industry (MITI), led by YB Senator Tengku Datuk Seri Utama Zafrul Abdul Aziz, spearheaded a comprehensive business engagement initiative aimed at strengthening economic collaboration.

A key highlight of the visit was the High-Level Roundtable Meeting in London, jointly organised by MIDA and the Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE), with support from the British Malaysian Chamber of Commerce (BMCC) and Standard Chartered. The meeting convened 51 industry leaders from 31 prominent UK companies including Shell, AstraZeneca, Rolls Royce, Jaguar Land Rover, and Standard Chartered, alongside a delegation of 13 Malaysian companies.

Chaired by the Prime Minister of Malaysia and moderated by the MITI Minister, the discussions centred on Malaysia’s role as ASEAN Chair in 2025, the benefits of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), and opportunities in high-growth sectors such as renewable energy and semiconductors. Minister Catherine West MP reaffirmed the UK’s commitment to strengthening bilateral ties, particularly through the CPTPP and the Joint Economic and Trade Committee (JETCO).

One-on-one business meetings with key UK companies, including Standard Chartered, Raw Energy, and Yondr Group, provided an engaging platform to explore strategic collaborations:

• Standard Chartered expressed interest in the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone, recognising its potential to enhance regional trade and investment.
• Raw Energy reaffirmed its commitment to Malaysia’s decarbonisation efforts under the National Energy Transition Roadmap (NETR), exploring advanced biofuel technologies and Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF).
• Yondr Group highlighted Malaysia’s potential as a data centre hub, focusing on cutting-edge AI/ML-driven data centres, Direct-to-Chip Liquid Cooling (DCL) technology, sustainable building designs, and electro-mechanical advancements.

The inaugural ministerial-led JETCO meeting, co-chaired by the UK Trade Minister, Douglas Alexander MP and MITI Minister, marked a historic milestone in Malaysia-UK economic collaboration. The ministers endorsed an ambitious joint working plan to strengthen bilateral cooperation in priority areas such as legal services, education, standards and compliance assessments, agriculture, and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The discussions reinforced both nations’ commitment to sustainable growth, innovation, and enhanced trade and investment opportunities.

The meeting also explored the potential cooperation in other areas such as customs, Islamic finance, cooperatives, and social enterprises.

The visit celebrated the launch of three (3) landmark Malaysian projects in the UK, underscoring the capabilities of Malaysia’s conglomerates to compete and secure market share in key industries while promoting cross-border investment. By accessing new markets, maintaining market share in traditional ones, and creating vital linkages to support high-technology and knowledge-based industries, cross-border investments position Malaysia for innovation and sustainable growth. These projects include:

• YTL’s Brabazon Project and Gamuda’s 75 London Wall Project – Showcasing Malaysia’s expertise in revitalising historical developments, this project incorporates a mix of residential, commercial, and public spaces.
• Tenaga Nasional Berhad’s Kampana Solar Project – A renewable energy initiative generating 35MW of clean electricity, powering approximately 14,000 households and underscoring Malaysia’s commitment to green technology.

The MITI Minister along with the CEOs of MIDA and MATRADE, engaged in an exclusive dialogue session hosted by Standard Chartered, BMCC, and the UK-ASEAN Business Council (UKABC). Senior leaders from 18 prominent companies discussed Malaysia’s economic agenda, highlighting key policies such as the New Industrial Master Plan (NIMP) 2030, the National Semiconductor Strategy (NSS), and Malaysia’s ASEAN Chairmanship in 2025. Discussions focused on talent mobility, digitalisation, energy transition, and green technology, reinforcing Malaysia’s position as a preferred global investment hub.

Collectively, the achievements of the working visit represent a potential investment value of RM11 billion and an export potential of RM500 million over the next five years. The successful outcomes of the working visit solidify Malaysia’s role as a strategic global investment hub, strengthening its economic ties with the UK while positioning itself as a leader in sustainable development and high-value industries. These collaborations set the stage for long-term economic prosperity and mutual growth between Malaysia and the United Kingdom.