MIDA and MUFG Bank Partner to Drive Malaysia’s Innovation Economy
Strategic Partnership Targets Investments in Semiconductor, EV, and Green Technology Sectors
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 8 August 2025 –The Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA) and global banking subsidiary MUFG Bank (Malaysia) Berhad yesterday announced a ground-breaking partnership to accelerate high-value investments in Malaysia. The MoU agreement focuses on attracting global investment in semiconductors, specialty chemicals, aerospace, pharmaceuticals, medical devices, electric vehicles, digital sectors, and green technology. This partnership marks a significant milestone in Malaysia’s journey towards becoming a leading innovation hub in Southeast Asia.
The collaboration comes at a crucial time for Malaysia’s economic transformation in light of the recent 13th Malaysia Plan announced last week.
The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of MIDA, Datuk Sikh Shamsul Ibrahim Sikh Abdul Majid, emphasised the partnership’s role in strengthening Malaysia-Japan economic ties. “We are pleased to formalise our partnership with MUFG Bank (Malaysia) through this MOU, which aims to further strengthen and deepen Malaysia-Japan economic collaboration. This strategic alliance will actively promote investment opportunities in high- value and competitive sectors by facilitating bilateral investments. By leveraging our extensive business networks and ecosystems, we seek to foster joint ventures and strategic partnerships between Malaysian and Japanese companies.”
“We will also work together to position Malaysia as a welcoming destination for Japanese investors, including through events and outreach activities that support mutual engagement. This MOU is a milestone in enhancing the economic ties between Malaysia and Japan, reinforcing our commitment to sustainable industrial growth and bilateral prosperity,” he further added.
Motohide Okuda, CEO and Country Head of MUFG Malaysia, said, “MUFG is honoured to mark this significant milestone with MIDA. This MoU reflects a shared vision to support Malaysia’s economic growth by leveraging on our global network to promote high quality inbound investments from our global and Japanese corporates and further contribute to the sustainable development and long-term success of Malaysia.”
“We are especially grateful to Datuk Sikh Shamsul, CEO of MIDA, for his continuous support and proactive engagement through other MUFG platforms such as MUFG N0W (Net Zero World) which was held in Sarawak on 20 March 2025 and MUFG’s Semiconductor Seminar, in Penang, on 29 July 2025. His insights have been instrumental in helping businesses understand Malaysia’s evolving investment landscape and exemplify how public-private collaboration can drive inclusive growth and build a resilient, future-
ready economy aligned to national priorities.”
The MoU signing was witnessed by MUFG Chairman, Kanetsugu Mike.
Left to right: Datuk Sikh Shamsul Ibrahim Sikh Abdul Majid, CEO of MIDA, Kanetsugu Mike,
Chairman of MUFG and Motohide Okuda, CEO and Country Head of Malaysia.
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About MIDA
The Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA) is the government’s principal investment promotion and development agency under the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry (MITI). MIDA oversees and drives investments into Malaysia’s manufacturing and services sectors. Headquartered in Kuala Lumpur Sentral, MIDA operates through 12 regional and 21 overseas offices, serving as a strategic partner to businesses in leveraging opportunities from the ongoing technological revolution. For more information, please visit www.mida.gov.my and follow us on X, Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, TikTok, and YouTube.
About MUFG
Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, Inc. (MUFG) is one of the world’s leading financial groups.
Headquartered in Tokyo and with over 360 years of history, MUFG has a global network with
approximately 2,000 locations in more than 40 markets. The Group has about 140,000 employees
and offers services including commercial banking, trust banking, securities, credit cards, consumer
finance, asset management, and leasing.
The Group aims to “be the world’s most trusted financial group” through close collaboration among
our operating companies and flexibly respond to all of the financial needs of our customers, serving
society, and fostering shared and sustainable growth for a better world. MUFG’s shares trade on
the Tokyo, Nagoya, and New York stock exchanges.
MUFG Bank, Ltd. is Japan’s premier bank, with a global network spanning more than 40 markets.
Outside of Japan, the bank offers an extensive scope of commercial and investment banking
products and services to businesses, governments and individuals worldwide.
In Asia Pacific, MUFG has presence across Australia, Bangladesh, Cambodia, China, Hong Kong,
Indonesia, India, South Korea, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, New Zealand, Pakistan, Philippines,
Singapore, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand and Vietnam.
It has also formed strategic partnerships with some of the most prominent banks in South-east
Asia, further augmenting its unrivalled network across the region – VietinBank in Vietnam, Krungsri
in Thailand, Security Bank in the Philippines and Bank Danamon in Indonesia.
For more information about our Asia Pacific network, click here
About MUFG Bank (Malaysia) Berhad
MUFG Bank (Malaysia) Berhad (MUFG) is a subsidiary of Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group.
MUFG’s presence in Malaysia dates back to 1957 and has since established long-term client
relationships comprising local, global, and Japanese corporates. The bank has branches in Kuala
Lumpur and Labuan.
In 2008, MUFG established an Islamic banking arm, the first Japanese bank to do so in Malaysia,
and has contributed to industry milestones such as the launch of the world’s first Yen-denominated
Sukuk. Through its twin hub located out of the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), and in
tandem with consolidated group subsidiary PT Bank Danamon Indonesia’s Islamic banking entity,
MUFG currently provides a comprehensive suite of Shariah-compliant banking products and
advisory services in Asia Pacific and globally.
MUFG is also a firm supporter of Malaysia’s renewable energy hub aspirations and pivot towards
critical industry sectors, having hosted public engagement sessions such as the flagship MUFG
N0W (Net Zero World) regional thought leadership event and a MUFG semiconductor conference
in Sarawak and Penang respectively. MUFG Malaysia was twice awarded Best Sustainable Bank
(International) by FinanceAsia in 2023 and 2024.
For media enquiries, please contact:
MIDA
Ms. Lim Ming Yee
Director, Foreign Investment Division
No.: +603-2267 3762 | Email: [email protected]
About MUFG Bank (Malaysia) Berhad
Ms. Valerie Vu
Corporate Communications
MUFG Bank (Malaysia) Berhad
Email: [email protected]
