MIDA KTPC And HLB Forge Strategic Collaboration At Inaugural Economic & Market Development Conference 2025
KULIM HI-TECH PARK, Kedah, 29 August 2025 – The inaugural Economic & Market Development Conference 2025 concluded on a high note yesterday at the Kulim Golf Club in Kulim Hi-Tech Park (KHTP), establishing a new benchmark for public-private sector collaboration in Malaysia’s economic development landscape.
The conference brought together over 400 industry titans, policymakers, and investors from across Malaysia and the broader Southeast Asian region, signalling robust confidence in the nation’s economic trajectory and innovation ecosystem.
Jointly organised for the first time by the Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA), Kulim Technology Park Corporation (KTPC), and Hong Leong Bank (HLB), the full-day conference featured keynote addresses and networking sessions focusing on current economic trends, market development strategies, and opportunities for investment and innovation. It also served to strengthen networking between the private and public sectors, fostering greater collaboration.
The event also marked a significant milestone as part of Kulim Hi-Tech Park’s 30th Anniversary, reinforcing its position as Malaysia’s premier high-tech industrial hub.
Key highlights of the conference included:
- Expert insights on emerging market opportunities in the current economic direction;
- Discussions on future economic challenges and strategies for inclusive and sustainable development; and
- Enhanced public-private sector collaboration, fostering new business collaborations and investment opportunities.
The conference was officially officiated by YB. Prof. Dr. Haim Hilman Abdullah, Kedah EXCO for Industry & Investment, Science, Technology & Innovation, and Higher Education. In his keynote address, YB. Prof. Dr. Haim Hilman Abdullah highlighted, “I have great hopes that the Kulim Technology Park Corporation (KTPC) and Kulim Hi-Tech Park (KHTP) will continue to be the driving force of high-technology industries, bringing success not only to Kedah, but also to Malaysia as a whole.”
In his opening remarks, Datuk Sikh Shamsul Ibrahim Sikh Abdul Majid, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of MIDA, emphasised the importance of synergy, “Through strong federal-state level collaborations, KHTP has fostered an environment where multinational corporations can establish their operations while providing platforms for our small and medium enterprises to innovate, integrate, and scale up as part of global supply chains. This symbiotic relationship between large corporations and local businesses is exactly what builds resilience and long-term competitiveness.”
Dato’ Mohd Sahil Zabidi, Group CEO of KTPC, said, “This conference marks our very first collaboration with MIDA & Hong Leong Bank, organised specially for the industrial players in the Northern Region. This reflects our shared commitment to strengthening Malaysia’s economic resilience & driving long-term growth.”
“The KHTP is a critical engine of Malaysia’s economic growth, and holds the potential to be a vibrant ecosystem that drives innovation, creates jobs, and attracts global leaders in high-tech industries,” said Dafinah Ahmed Hilmi, CEO of Hong Leong Islamic Bank (HLISB), who gave a speech at the conference. “Our presence in KHTP, anchored by our Meet @ HLB community branch which is opening soon, allows us to be a true partner to the community, where business owners and residents can access financial advisory, wealth management, and corporate banking solutions. Furthermore, we have a unique focus on supporting green projects, providing financing and advisory for businesses entering the renewable energy, sustainability, green infrastructure, or clean electricity industries. With this, we aim to be a catalyst for accelerated wealth growth for the region, supporting an environment where everyone can thrive as we build a prosperous and sustainable economic future.”
With a resounding call for continued cooperation between industry players, financial institutions, and government agencies, the conference concluded by reinforcing Malaysia’s and KHTP’s shared ambition to be a leader in high-value industries and innovation-driven growth.
Appendix: Leadership Quotes
Dato’ Chong Nee Hwa, Executive Director, Fuji Electric (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd. said, “Being one of the pioneer tenants in Kulim Hi-Tech Park (KHTP) 28 years ago, Fuji Electric is proud to say that Kulim Technology Park Corporation (KTPC) has been a very committed park manager in ensuring our needs are fulfilled timely as committed. We had seen significant growth and development in the park over the years. I am very grateful that I am here to witness such great achievements now, and I am confident that with the strong ecosystem support from MIDA, KTPC and other stakeholders, they will continue to champion Kedah and Malaysia as the preferred location for future investors. Well done!”
Mr. Jacky Chen, Chief Finance Officer of XSD International Paper Sdn Bhd, an HLB client who also participated in the conference, commented, “The conference provided us with some eye-opening insights into the economic viability and future of the region, and emphasised the importance of collaboration between entities to drive Malaysia’s economy forward. In the grand scheme of things, the KHTP is a significant milestone in our country’s endeavour to attract foreign investments and position itself as a global leader in manufacturing and the tech industry. From this, we hope to continue working with KHTP and HLB in supporting the country’s overall economic roadmap and growing our industry to greater heights.”
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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) 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.
About KTPC
Kulim Technology Park Corporation Sdn. Bhd. (KTPC) is the developer and manager of Kulim Hi-Tech Park (KHTP), Malaysia’s first high-tech industrial park. Established since 1996, KTPC’s primary activities include developing and promoting KHTP, as well as building, leasing and renting industrial and non-industrial buildings. KHTP is recognized as a leading global science city, attracting numerous high-tech multinational companies. KHTP is strategically positioned with excellent infrastructure, logistics connectivity, and support services, making it an ideal location for both local and international businesses.
About Hong Leong Bank Berhad
Hong Leong Bank Berhad is one of the leading financial services organisations in Malaysia. With a heritage of more than 120 years, it provides comprehensive financial services covering consumer banking, business banking and trade finance, treasury, branch and transaction banking, wealth management, private banking and Islamic financial services. Hong Leong Bank, which has won awards for its innovations in the financial services space, also has one of the largest service and distribution network of branches and business centers in Malaysia.
With a proven track record in value creation and a highly recognised brand, Hong Leong Bank has also been extending its footprint in the region, with branches in Singapore and Hong Kong and wholly owned subsidiaries in Vietnam and Cambodia. In China, the Bank is a substantial shareholder in Bank of Chengdu Co., Ltd., Sichuan.
Hong Leong Bank is a subsidiary of Hong Leong Financial Group Berhad, the financial services arm of the Hong Leong Group. Apart from banking, Hong Leong Financial Group is involved in the provision of insurance and takaful, as well as investment banking, unit trust, fund management and stock broking services.
For further information, please visit www.hlb.com.my
For media enquiries, please contact:
MIDA
Mr. Sukri Abu Bakar
Director, Domestic Investment Division
No.: +603-2267 3685| Email: [email protected]
KTPC
Ms. Siti Norsakeena Mohd Arshad
Head of Corporate Communication
Tel: +604-403 2420 ext 134
Email: [email protected]
Hong Leong Bank
Vivian Tan
Corporate Communication & CSR
DID: +6032081 8888 Extn 61914
Email: [email protected]
Derrick Pang
Corporate Communication
Email: [email protected]
