Partnership links capital, policy and regional expertise to strengthen Malaysia’s competitiveness and support local enterprise expansion
Kuala Lumpur, 23 October 2025 – The Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA) and CIMB Bank Berhad (CIMB or the Bank) have formalised a strategic partnership through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to accelerate high value, sustainable investments, deepen industrial ecosystems, and enhance Malaysia’s competitiveness.
The collaboration creates a strategic bridge linking Malaysia’s national investment priorities with CIMB’s regional financial network. Together, the partnership will drive capital mobilisation that supports technology adoption, supply chain resilience, and sustainable enterprise growth.
Through this MoU, MIDA and CIMB will design a series of investment-focused programmes that go beyond traditional promotion — enabling investors and businesses to access tailored financial solutions, cross-border advisory, and sustainable financing frameworks. The collaboration will also promote cross border business expansion, supporting Malaysian companies to build presence in new markets and integrate into regional value chains.
CIMB will leverage its Wholesale Banking and Commercial & Transaction Banking expertise to deliver end-to-end support for both foreign and domestic investors, particularly in high-impact sectors. Through its comprehensive financing ecosystem, CIMB will help local SMEs scale into regional supply chains, participate in high-value industrial activities, and meet ESG and green-transition goals.
The collaboration will also include data insights, publications, and knowledge sharing to strengthen policy developments and enrich investor engagement. Both organisations will coordinate co-branding and outreach across digital and investor platforms to further amplify Malaysia’s position as a trusted, forward-looking investment destination.
Datuk Sikh Shamsul Ibrahim Sikh Abdul Majid, Chief Executive Officer of MIDA, expressed confidence in the partnership, “This collaboration with CIMB marks a decisive move to elevate Malaysia’s ecosystem and accelerate the delivery of high-impact projects. MIDA’s strong track record in securing strategic investments across key sectors serves as a platform for this partnership to translate opportunities into tangible outcomes. By combining our investor relationships and sector expertise with CIMB’s financial connectivity and sustainability focus, we are broadening the channels for quality investments that empower Malaysian businesses and strengthen regional linkages. Together, we are reinforcing Malaysia’s standing as a trusted and forward-looking destination for strategic and sustainable investments.”
Gurdip Singh Sidhu, Chief Executive Officer of CIMB Malaysia and CIMB Bank Berhad, said “As a vital partner for trade and investment across ASEAN, CIMB is focused to position Malaysia as a leading premier destination for both foreign and domestic investments. This collaboration with MIDA underscores our strong alignment with the Government’s focus of driving high quality, sustainable inflows that create
tangible economic value, including innovation, job creation and supply chain development. Leveraging our extensive regional network and financial expertise, we will accelerate cross-border connectivity and catalyse strategic investments that enhance the country’s long-term growth, resilience, and global competitiveness.”
CIMB actively champions high-impact initiatives, particularly those aimed at growing FDI and DDI. Earlier this year, the Bank announced a RM10 billion funding commitment over a three-year period (2025-2027) to accelerate economic integration and unlock cross-border business opportunities within the Johor–Singapore Special Economic Zone (“JS-SEZ”). The programme aims to drive investment flows and facilitate market access for corporate clients and small and medium-sized enterprises. Since the announcement, CIMB has already deployed more than 30% of the commitment – a strong indicator of the programme’s early traction. Complementing this, CIMB has also introduced the ASEAN Financial Passport and set up six dedicated branches in Johor to provide businesses with a seamless cross-border onboarding and banking experience.

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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 CIMB
CIMB is one of ASEAN’s leading banking groups and Malaysia’s second largest financial services provider, by assets. Listed on Bursa Malaysia via CIMB Group Holdings Berhad, it had a market capitalisation of approximately RM73.0 billion as at 30 June 2025. It offers consumer banking, commercial banking, wholesale banking, transaction banking, Islamic banking and asset management products and services.
Headquartered in Kuala Lumpur, the Group is present across ASEAN in Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam and Philippines. Beyond ASEAN, the Group has market presence in China, Hong Kong and UK. CIMB has one of the most extensive retail branch networks in ASEAN with 571 branches and over 33,000 employees as at 30 June 2025. CIMB’s investment banking arm is one of
the largest Asia Pacific-based investment banks, which together with its award-winning treasury & markets and corporate banking units comprise the Group’s leading wholesale banking franchise. CIMB is also the 92.5% shareholder of Bank CIMB Niaga in Indonesia, and 94.8% shareholder of CIMB Thai in Thailand.
For media enquiries, please contact:
MIDA
Mr. Awangku Fiarulnazri Awang Tajudin
Head of Section,
Corporate Strategy and Revenue Management Section
Tel: +603-2267 6682
Email: [email protected]
CIMB
Anis Azharuddin / Kelvin Jude Muthu
Group Corporate Communications
CIMB Group Holdings Berhad
Email: [email protected] / [email protected]
MIDA and CIMB Collaborate to Drive Sustainable Growth and Malaysia’s Next Investment Wave
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