KUALA LUMPUR, 3 APRIL 2023 – Minister of International Trade and Industry (MITI) YB Senator Tengku Datuk Seri Utama Zafrul Aziz is currently leading a Trade and Investment Mission (TIM) to People’s Republic of China (“China”), which has, thus far, resulted in securing RM170 billion potential investments for Malaysia. The mission included a round table meeting with captains of industry, a Business Forum which was attended by more than 1,000 Chinese and Malaysian business delegates, and one-to-one meetings with potential investors.

Tengku Zafrul said, “I would like to congratulate MIDA and all related agencies in helping to secure these potential investments. The increased interest of Chinese companies in Malaysia bodes well for our nation and has elevated Malaysia-China bilateral relations onto the next level, bolstered by renewed confidence in the Malaysian Unity Government. On MITI’s part, we will prove Malaysia to be pro-industry, pro-trade and pro-investment, by continuously enhancing the investor’s journey and ease of doing business in this country. Now, the hard work begins for MITI, MIDA and other agencies to follow up on and realise these investments within the shortest possible timeline.”

Chief Executive Officer of the Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA) Datuk Wira Arham Abdul Rahman expressed great satisfaction with the outcome of the Trade and Investment Mission to China thus far, highlighting, “Through this Trade and Investment Mission, at the final count, more than 20 companies have expressed their keen interest in investing in the thriving economy of Malaysian spanning areas such as  petrochemical products, solar and glass products, international data centers, as well as electric vehicles (EV) related parts and components. Among companies highly interested to invest in Malaysia are Zhejiang Zhink Group, LONGi, GDS, Shanghai DC Science, and ZTE Corporation, all of whom have acknowledged the immense potential of our nation. This accomplishment showcases the government’s commitment to attracting top-tier investments from the world’s leading digital technology adopters and home to one-third of the world’s unicorns.”

With Malaysia’s favourable business climate, Mr. Xiao Zhonghuai, Vice President of Zhejiang Zhink Group, acknowledged Malaysia’s immense potential and expressed his company’s intention to consider the country as the destination for investment. “In the context of global advocacy of sustainable development, the demand for food-grade PET (Polyethylene Terephthalate) new materials has maintained a good growth trend worldwide due to its good safety, plasticity, recyclability, greenness and wide range of applications. As the world’s leading manufacturer of food-grade PET new materials, Zhink Group has exported its products to more than 100 countries and regions worldwide. In order to better meet the needs of overseas customers and improve service efficiency and quality, Zhink Group will focus on considering Malaysia as the destination country for overseas investment.” he stated.

LONGi’s Founder and President, Mr. Li Zhenguo, shared the company’s expansion plans in Malaysia over the years, stating, “Today, I am proud to announce that LONGi continues to increase our production capacity for ingot, wafer, cell, and module in Malaysia, which is expected to create over 7,000 employment opportunities. Since starting our operations in Malaysia back in 2016, in Kuching, Sarawak, we have been committed to not only driving technological innovation but also empowering local communities. All our new projects are adopting the most advanced automated process and technology. Our current workforce of 4,000 employees is 99.9% Malaysian, and we are eager to continue building our business in Malaysia.”

GDS’s Founder, Chairman, and CEO, Mr. William Huang, expressed confidence in Malaysia’s robust business environment, announcing, “GDS has committed RM1.4 billion for the first data center project in Johor, Malaysia since 2021, showcasing the company’s strong dedication to the country’s progress and development. As a renowned global developer and operator of high-performance data center, GDS has also outlined plans for additional investments, which are estimated to be up to RM4.5 billion total investment over the next decade. With this ambitious timeline, we aim to bring our supply chains and clients from China to Malaysia, demonstrating our confidence in the country’s potential as a major player in the global economy.”

Mr. Wang Bin, CEO of Shanghai DC-Science Co., Ltd, a private enterprise and one of the leading data center service providers in China, highlighted the company’s interest in setting up a state-of-the-art data center in Malaysia, a move that could potentially bring in investments amounting to RM2.7 billion. With a steadfast commitment to excellence and a bold vision for the future, Mr. Wang Bin has committed to finalise his company’s investment decision by 2023.

Mr. Steven Ge, Vice President of ZTE Corporation, reinforced the company’s commitment to Malaysia by announcing a potential investment of RM200 million in the country. Two innovation centres, in collaboration with Celcom, Digi and Telekom Malaysia (TM), are currently under construction and set to drive Malaysia’s 5G development and revolutionise the vertical industry application sector. The innovation centers will focus on research in 5G applications, network coverage and quality, cybersecurity, green energy and emission reduction. The goal is to assist Malaysia build a 5G industry ecosystem, cultivate local talents and achieve the goal as “Asian Digital Tiger”. This project is anticipated to create more than 100 job opportunities and train over 10,000 Malaysians in the coming years, portraying a significant investment in the nation’s human capital. The ESG 2.0 Tree-Planting Campaign, in conjunction with TM, will be launched by ZTE to offset carbon footprint and bolster environmental sustainability.

ZTE’s unwavering dedication to Malaysia’s digital development has undoubtedly left an indelible mark on the country’s technological landscape. The future looks promising, as the partnership between ZTE and Malaysia continues to thrive and pave the way towards a brighter, more connected tomorrow.

In the year 2022, Malaysia recorded RM264.6 billion (USD59.9 billion) in approved investments across the manufacturing, services, and primary sectors. Out of this, RM55.4 billion (USD12.5 billion) came from the People’s Republic of China involving a total of 91 projects. These ventures have the potential to create 11,545 new job opportunities for the Malaysian workforce, further strengthening the nation’s economic fabric. The magnitude of these approved investments testifies to Malaysia’s unrelenting efforts to promote a conducive business environment, cultivate an investment-friendly climate, and offer investors an array of promising opportunities to expand their footprint in the Asia-Pacific region.

***ENDS***

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 more information, please contact:

MIDA

Mr. Faizal Jalaludin
Director, Foreign Investment Division
E: [email protected]
T: +603-22676650

Successful Trade and Investment Mission in Conjunction with Prime Minister’s Official Visit to The People’s Republic of China Secures RM170 Billion of Potential FDI For Malaysia

NUSAJAYA, 29 APRIL 2022 – GDS Holdings Ltd, a leading developer and operator of high-performance data centres in China, is pleased to announce the start of construction of its hyperscale data centre campus in Nusajaya, Johor.

The development of this project is supported by the Digital Investments Office (DIO), a collaborative platform between Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC) and Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA).

In line with the DIO’s role to ease investors’ journey in Malaysia by combining MIDA’s global presence and MDEC’s subject matter expertise in the digital economy ecosystem, the DIO has been working closely with GDS Holdings to facilitate its Request for Information (RFI) during the planning phase of the project, as well as providing support to ensure smooth implementation of the overall project in Malaysia.

Ms. Lim Bee Vian, Deputy Chief Executive Officer (DCEO), Investment Development, MIDA, commended the company’s investment into the country.

“Malaysia is honoured to host GDS data centres in the country. Data centres are a key infrastructure enabler to transform Malaysia towards an advanced digital nation, paving the way for modern businesses. MIDA, through the Digital Investment Office will continue our efforts in transforming new and existing economic clusters and facilitating strategic investment partners like GDS Holdings, as digital enablers to create high income jobs and encourage digital upskilling of the local workforce and businesses,” she said. 

According to Mahadhir Aziz, CEO of MDEC, GDS Holdings’ presence in Malaysia and the construction of the hyperscale data centre will have a great positive effect towards the development of Malaysia’s digital economy.

“The new centre signifies Malaysia’s competitive advantage in attracting data centre investments, in line with our aspirations under the Malaysia Digital initiative. It also brings with it the world-class infrastructure capabilities that will further strengthen Malaysia as the digital hub of ASEAN,” said Mahadhir.

“I would also like to express my gratitude to Invest Johor and the Johor State Economic Planning Division (BPENJ) for their support and assistance for this project. Building a thriving digital economy and infrastructure takes an entire nation – MDEC will continue driving more collaborations to further develop the country’s burgeoning data centre industry,” he added.

Meanwhile, YAB Datuk Onn Hafiz bin Ghazi, Menteri Besar of Johor, said that the project will serve as a catalyst for Johor and Malaysia to emerge as a hub for data centres, as well as stimulate the development of clusters of local public computing services companies. The data centre will also help with job creation, a key priority of the state.

“The entry of GDS and its hyperscale data centre to Johor is very welcomed and timely. We see this as a validation of our state’s attractiveness as a top international and domestic investment destination. This in turn is driven by our world-class infrastructure and lifestyle offerings, as well as the state’s enduring stability. I truly hope this will be the first of many such investments and projects here,” he added.

GDS Chairman and CEO William Huang said that Malaysia is the ideal nation for the major step of the company’s regionalisation plan, thanks to its strategic location, world-class infrastructure, and access to high-skilled, multi-cultural and multi-lingual talent.

“These factors, including Nusajaya’s proximity to Johor Bahru and Singapore, will be great for existing GDS customers looking to expand in the region. We are thankful for Malaysia’s robust ecosystem in supporting our presence here,” Huang added.

The groundbreaking ceremony that was held in Nusajaya, Johor on 24 April 2022 kickstarts Phase 1 of GDS Holdings’ hyperscale data centre campus, which is expected to be completed by 2024. This marks the beginning of the Shanghai-headquartered company’s long-term investment plan into Malaysia and Southeast Asia and includes the development of a potential Phase 2 of the Nusajaya data centre campus.

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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. 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, YouTube and TikTok.

About Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation Malaysia (MDEC)

Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC) is the agency under the Ministry of Communications and Multimedia Malaysia leading the digital transformation of the economy for 25 years. We aim to enable a progressive, innovation-led digital economy.

MDEC will continue to lead Malaysia towards becoming a globally competitive digital nation through the development and execution of the Malaysia Digital initiative, which aims to create substantial digital economic spill-over through equitable access to digital tools, knowledge, and income opportunities. 

Predicated on a new framework built upon three primary components – Agility, Flexibility, and Relevance – Malaysia Digital is set to enhance Malaysia’s value proposition to attract digital investments, firmly establishing Malaysia as the digital hub of ASEAN. 

#SayaDigital #MalaysiaDigital

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

For media enquiries, kindly contact:

MIDA

Ms. Rosedalina Ramlan

Director, Business Services and Regional Operations Division

Email: [email protected]

DL: +603-2267 3515

MDEC

Mr. Simon Yap

Email: [email protected]

Ms. Hazel Hassan

Email: [email protected]

GDS Holdings ‘Breaks Ground’ On Hyperscale Data Centre Campus In Johor, Malaysia

The new facility will address industry requirements for printed circuit board supply chain resiliency and regional diversification

Penang, 25 April 2022 – TTM Technologies, Inc. (NASDAQ: TTMI) (TTM), a leading U.S. based global manufacturer of printed circuit boards (PCBs), radio frequency (RF) components and RF microwave/microelectronic assemblies, held its groundbreaking ceremony today to celebrate its new manufacturing plant in Penang, Malaysia. The proposed capital investment for this plant is USD130 million (approximately RM550 million) through 2025.

YAB Tuan Chow Kon Yeow, Chief Minister of Penang; YB Dato’ Haji Abdul Halim Bin Haji Hussain, Penang Exco for Trade, Industry and Entrepreneurial Development; Ms. Lim Bee Vian, Deputy Chief Executive Officer (DCEO), Investment Development, of the Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA); YBhg. Dato’ Loo Lee Lian, Chief Executive Officer, InvestPenang, and Thomas Edman, President and Chief Executive Officer, TTM Technologies, Inc. were at the event. They were accompanied by Philip Titterton, Executive Vice-President and Chief Operating Officer, TTM Technologies, Inc.; and Anthony Sandeen, President, Automotive and Medical, Industrial & Instrumentation (AMI&I) Business Unit, TTM Technologies, Inc.

TTM’s expansion to Penang, Malaysia is in direct response to customer requirements for advanced technology printed circuit board (PCB) supply chain resiliency and diversification in regions beyond China. TTM selected Penang as the location for this new plant after an extensive review of multiple countries with careful consideration of investment and operating costs, customer proximity and supply chain support. Penang was also attractive due to its well-established electrical and electronics (E&E) industry ecosystem. The new plant will serve TTM’s global commercial markets including networking communications, data center computing, and medical, industrial, and instrumentation.

YAB Tuan Chow Kon Yeow, Chief Minister of Penang, congratulated TTM on achieving this milestone. “Penang is recognized as one of the major players in the global semiconductor industry, particularly in the areas of assembly & test as well as equipment manufacturing. Underpinned by its five decades of manufacturing excellence which has paved the way for sustainable industry development, the State is committed to further strengthen its industrial cluster. With PCB and substrate being an emerging subsector in Penang, I am confident that the addition of TTM will sharpen the local talent’s capability in advanced PCB technology solutions.”

“The State, via InvestPenang, strives to bolster our efforts to outpace investors’ expectations by providing continuous facilitation and utmost support along the journey. Penang welcomes TTM to be part of our robust industrial ecosystem and I look forward to establishing a long-standing relationship with TTM in years to come,” Chow added.

This state-of-the-art, highly automated plant will be built upon approximately 27 acres of industrial land at Penang Science Park. Construction is expected to take 12 to 15 months followed by equipment installations in mid-2023. Pilot production is targeted to begin in the second half of 2023, with volume production commencing in 2024 and gradually ramping up to full Phase 1 capacity in 2025. TTM expects the new plant to achieve full run rate revenue of approximately USD180 million (approximately RM761.5 million) in 2025. The factory has also been planned to support a 25 per cent upside Phase 2 expansion.

Ms. Lim Bee Vian, Deputy Chief Executive Officer (DCEO), Investment Development, of MIDA remarked, “MIDA is confident that Malaysia’s comprehensive E&E ecosystem, the capability of our local talent, and our well-developed semiconductor supply chain that supports long-term growth provide vital building blocks for investors like TTM Technologies to expand in the region. We anticipate that TTM Technologies’ project will have a ripple effect on job creation and develop our local supply chain capabilities to meet the rapidly changing requirements of our E&E industry segments while encouraging innovation in emerging fields. We believe that this groundbreaking is only  the beginning of a greater, more exciting future for  our local industry and people as well as TTM Technologies’ growth.”

Thomas Edman, President and Chief Executive Officer of TTM Technologies, commented, “This is an exciting day for TTM. Today’s ceremony marks the start of an important new chapter in our mission to support our customers with differentiated high value-add engineering and PCB product solutions on a global basis. As an early-mover into Southeast Asia for the production of advanced technology PCBs, TTM is responding to our customers’ needs for supply chain resiliency, regional diversification and growth capacity.”

“We appreciate our new working relationship with MIDA and the Penang government. Their support has been invaluable and we look forward to a long and mutually beneficial business relationship as TTM grows its business presence in Penang.” concluded Edman.

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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. 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, YouTube and TikTok.

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 TTM Technologies, Inc.
TTM Technologies, Inc. is a major global PCB manufacturer, focusing on quick-turn and volume production of technologically advanced PCBs, backplane assemblies and electro-mechanical solutions as well as a global designer and manufacturer of RF and microwave/microelectronic components and assemblies. TTM stands for time-to-market, representing how TTM’s time-critical, one-stop manufacturing services enable customers to shorten the time required to develop new products and bring them to market. Additional information can be found at www.ttm.com.

For more information, please contact,

MIDA
Ms. Noor Suziyanti Saad
Director, Electrical & Electronics Division
MIDA
E: [email protected]
T: +603-2267 3575

InvestPenang
Yeoh Bit Kun / Ooi Phei Wen
[email protected] / [email protected]

TTM Technologies Inc.:
TTM Investors
Mr. Sameer Desai
Vice President, Corporate Development & Investor Relations
TTM Technologies, Inc.
E: [email protected]
T: +1 714-327-3050

Press Inquiries
Dr. Winnie Ng
Vice President, Corporate Marketing
TTM Technologies, Inc.
E: [email protected]
T: +852 2660 4287 / +1 714 327 3000

TTM Technologies Breaks Ground at its First Manufacturing Plant in Penang, Malaysia

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 28 April 2021 – The Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA) in collaboration with UOB Malaysia organised a virtual roundtable with a delegation team from Shenzhen, China to facilitate inbound investments from China’s major companies of high-value added sectors in the electrical and electronics (E&E), chemical, manufacturing and industrial sectors.  The roundtable was an invaluable platform for participants to gain insights into Malaysia’s latest economic developments, policies and potential investment opportunities post-pandemic.

The Malaysian delegation was led by YB Senator Datuk Lim Ban Hong, Deputy Minister of International Trade and Industry, Malaysia (MITI), together with Mr Sivasuriyamoorthy Sundara Raja, Executive Director, Investment Promotion of MIDA and UOB Malaysia’s Managing Director and Country Head of Wholesale Banking, Ms Ng Wei Wei.

China’s delegation comprised representatives from UOB China, MIDA’s offices in China (Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou), China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT) and potential investors from 20 China companies representing E&E, medical devices, automotive and chemical sectors. Also, in attendance were His Excellency Mr Beh Ching Chye, Consul General of Malaysia in Guangzhou, China; Madam Tang Jin, Deputy Director General, CCPIT Shenzhen and Ms. Adaline Zheng Jun, Managing Director and Country Head, Wholesale Banking, UOB China.

In his Keynote Address, YB Senator Datuk Lim Ban Hong remarked, “Malaysia, as an open trading nation, was not spared from the COVID-19’s devastating impact. The best way to handle the present global economic headwinds is to increase cooperation and create mutually beneficial and sustainable growth, through trade and investments. Malaysia’s pro-business policies complement the Chinese Government’s push for increased China’s overseas investment and cooperation with other countries. I am sure that China’s investors will find Malaysia an exciting base to expand their overseas operations. I am confident that existing stakeholders will also attest to our commitment towards economic progress and business friendliness.  Hence, we look forward to welcoming more businesses, from both China and Malaysia to further collaborate together for mutually beneficial outcomes on its road to recovery post COVID-19.”

The Deputy Minister of MITI further elaborated that Malaysia’s value proposition in Southeast Asia as a profit centre for global companies, including those from China, cannot be overlooked. He shared, “Supported by a reliable and diverse local supporting industry, investors seeking to expand their production capacity in Malaysia can do so efficiently and with ease. Our young and quality talent pool that is well versed in multiple languages, including Mandarin and English, create an ideal business environment for our foreign investors. The Government, through MIDA in collaboration with our stakeholders will intensify efforts to attract projects that are high value-added, high-tech, knowledge and R&D intensive in line with our National Investment Aspirations to generate multiplier effects to Malaysia’s domestic industrial ecosystem.”

Malaysia welcomes investors from the Greater Bay Area in various sectors, including E&E, medical and pharmaceutical, automotive, machinery and engineering (M&E), as well as the forerunners in high technology segments such as biotechnology and, smart-home automation to explore the opportunities offered in Malaysia.

The Deputy Minister of MITI added, “Despite the challenging global economic environment amid the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, Malaysia recorded RM164 billion in total approved investments, of which RM64.2 billion were from FDI sources. China was Malaysia’s main source of FDI at RM18.1 billion, or equivalent to a share of 28.2 per cent”.

Speaking on behalf of UOB Malaysia, Ms Ng Wei Wei said, “Following a year of business and supply chain disruptions, we see opportunities for Malaysia to benefit from companies diversifying their supply chains into Southeast Asia. Apart from that, FDI into the country, including that from China, will be supported by Malaysia’s diversified economic potential, strong fundamentals and favourable demographics.”

“With our deep presence in Malaysia and Greater China, UOB is well-positioned to assist more companies from high-value sectors, especially from China’s Greater Bay Area to expand into Malaysia. At the same time, these companies can also capitalise on the vast opportunities along the regional trade corridors between Greater China and ASEAN. Our in-market presence, insights and expertise, coupled with the ecosystem partnerships we forge, we are confident to attract and to facilitate high value-added FDI from China to Malaysia and to stimulate the economy through quality job creation and trade activities,” she added.

Since 2013, the Bank’s FDI Advisory Unit has supported more than 300 foreign companies to establish and to grow their businesses in Malaysia. The support enabled these companies to develop their market entry strategies and to navigate the complexities of doing business in a new country, as well as provided them with access to UOB’s financial products and services.

Following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with MIDA on 10 January 2020, UOB Malaysia has been working closely with MIDA to help companies from Greater China, Europe and within Southeast Asia to expand and invest in Malaysia and across the region. To find out more about UOB’s FDI Advisory services, please visit https://www.uobgroup.com/fdi.

*****

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 United Overseas Bank (Malaysia) Bhd

United Overseas Bank (Malaysia) Bhd (UOB Malaysia) is a subsidiary of Singapore-based United Overseas Bank Limited (UOB) and has had a presence in Malaysia since 1951. UOB Malaysia offers an extensive range of both conventional and Islamic banking services through its branches, subsidiaries and associate companies: corporate and commercial lending, investment banking, treasury services, trade services, cash management, home loans, credit cards, wealth management and bancassurance products.

UOB is a leading bank in Asia with a global network of more than 500 offices in 19 countries and territories in Asia Pacific, Europe and North America. Since its incorporation in 1935, UOB has grown organically and through a series of strategic acquisitions. UOB is rated among the world’s top banks: Aa1 by Moody’s Investors Service and AA- by both S&P Global Ratings and Fitch Ratings. In Malaysia, UOB Malaysia receives AAA/Stable/P1 financial institution rating from RAM Ratings. 

Over more than eight decades, generations of UOB employees have carried through the entrepreneurial spirit, the focus on long-term value creation and an unwavering commitment to do what is right for our customers and our colleagues.

We believe in being a responsible financial services provider, and we are committed to making a difference in the lives of our stakeholders and in the communities in which we operate. Just as we are dedicated to helping our customers manage their finances wisely and to grow their businesses, UOB is steadfast in our support of social development, particularly in the areas of art, children and education. 

For further information, please visit www.uob.com.my.

For media queries, please contact:

Manjit Kaur Balkar Singh (Ms)
Corporate Communications, MIDA
Email: [email protected]
DL: +603-2267 3509

Nizam Arop (Mr)
Strategic Communications and Brand, UOB Malaysia
Email: [email protected]
Tel: 03-9195 2786/ 017-333 6329

Averlyn Lim (Ms)
Strategic Communications and Brand, UOB Malaysia
Email: [email protected]
Tel: 03-9195 2793 / 018-229 9168

MIDA and UOB Bank Successfully Organises Hybrid Roundtable Meeting with Captains of Industry in China Greater Bay Area

KUALA LUMPUR, 27 April 2021 – The Government has announced the extension and enhancement of the automotive industry incentive in its effort to heighten the new generation of automotive technology and products.

For the period of 2014 to date, the Government through the Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA) has evaluated and approved tax incentives for 13 automotive projects with investments of RM4.6 billion.

The Government reaffirmed the need to add and redefine the list of promoted products and services related to the automotive industry as well as to review the stringent requirements and stipulated conditions for projects approved with the incentive.

While the new extended incentive’s main objective is to promote investments in Energy Efficient Vehicles, an additional scope of activities is now qualified for the automotive industry incentive. These encompass a range ofhigh-tech and high-value products including Next Generation Vehicle (NxGV), electric vehicles and related component as well as core and critical components such as engines, powertrains, light detection and ranging (LIDAR), radio detection and ranging (RADAR) and advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS).

Due to the complexities of the automotive industry structure across its value chain, the Government has reviewed the value-added criteria requirement as part of this enhanced incentive scheme.

During the drafting and launch of the National Automotive Policy in 2020, in recognising the need for a strategic review and incentive packages to spur new quality investments in the automotive industry, the Government looks beyond attracting new investment into the country, where opportunities should also focus to grow the local automotive industry players and vendors.

This includes nurturing local companies in technologies capabilities, certification and human capital development; utilising and developing local expertise and service providers; as well as supporting local engineering and manufacturing companies such as special processing providers, jigs and tooling manufacturers, components and part manufacturers as well as engineering designs.

It is anticipated that the relaxation of criteria or conditions under this enhanced incentive will attract more homegrown companies to explore expansion opportunities by venturing into new high-tech and high value-added products while expanding their supply chain in the region.

The new incentive is timely as the automotive industry in ASEAN region has been rapidly evolving, with countries continuously innovating policies and strategies to attract investments, particularly for electric vehicles. Malaysia is expectant for its positive spill over effects such as high value jobs, increase in R&D activities as well as transfer of technology and knowledge to the local industry ecosystems. Additionally, this will solidify Malaysia’s position as an attractive investment destination for automotive industry players worldwide and a hub for energy-efficient vehicles.

Eligible companies are encouraged to submit their applications to MIDA with immediate effect. The application for incentive is available until 1 December 2025. More information can also be obtained at www.mida.gov.my and the Transportation Technology Division at MIDA.

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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.

Media Contacts: 

Manjit Kaur Balkar Singh (Ms)
Email: [email protected] | DL: +603-2267 3509

Enhanced Investment Incentives To Drive Malaysia’s Automotive Industry Into The Future

Kuala Lumpur, 26 April 2021 – The recently concluded Trade and Investment Mission (TIM) to the Republic of Korea (ROK) and Japan from 31 March – 6 April 2021 led by YB Dato’ Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali, Senior Minister, Minister of International Trade and Industry (MITI), has successfully secured RM8.9 billion in committed investment for 2021.

SK Nexilis Co., Ltd., a subsidiary of SK Group from ROK, recently had announced its RM2.3 billion worth of investment into Malaysia to establish a thin copper foil manufacturing plant in Sabah. However, the expected investment has been revised to RM4.24 billion. The project is in line with the Government’s intention to develop a complete ecosystem of high-tech industries, especially in the automotive and telecommunication sectors. The manufacturing plant in Kota Kinabalu will be powered utilising 100 per cent renewable energy, where such operation will be the first for SK Nexilis outside ROK. Malaysia will be a major hub for a state-of-the-art for thin copper foil production with in-house technology, besides boosting Malaysia’s talent network and capabilities with the company’s presence. SK Nexilis is a global leader in thin-tech innovation for copper foil manufacturing controlling 16 per cent of the world market share for electric vehicle (EV) battery.

LG Chem Ltd., the largest Korean chemical company, recognised for the prestige and accomplishment as a Global Top 10 chemical company, has indicated its interest in developing the petrochemical cluster in Malaysia. LG Chem Ltd., an affiliate of LG Group (the 4th largest group in Korea) ranking 490th in the Fortune 500 in 2019, is the first ROK company to partner with Petronas, which will be LG Chem Ltd., first foreign platform outside Northeast Asia. LG Chem Ltd. has a globally competitive business portfolio, including Petrochemicals, Energy Solutions, Advanced Materials, and Life Sciences. The company will set up a joint venture with Petronas Chemicals Group Bhd. to produce Nitrile-butadiene rubber (NBR) Latex in Pengerang Integrated Petroleum Complex (PIPC) with a potential investment of RM600 million, where the operation is expected to commence in March 2023. The establishment of LG Chem Ltd. in Malaysia will complement the development of the petrochemical cluster in Pengerang, Johor and increase utilisation of feedstock from PETRONAS.

In addition, SPC Group, a large conglomerate producing food and confectionery products in ROK and also one of the oldest brands in the confectionery and bakery industry in ROK, with market-leading franchise brands such as Paris Baguette (Bakery), Shake and Shack (Bakery) and Baskin Robbins Korea (Donuts and Ice-cream) is planning to make Malaysia as a regional distribution hub for their halal dough with investment value estimated at RM91.2 million to cater the ASEAN market. The company also ready to work with Malaysian companies to bring the Paris Baguette franchise brand into the local market. Today, SPC Group is a leading company in the food industry in Korea with their advanced Research and Development (R&D) Centre, with 6,000 locations globally and plans to increase the number of the group’s outlets worldwide to 20,000 by 2030.

Another notable project from ROK is the manufacturing of Next Generation electric foil (Elecfoil) by ILJIN Materials. Elecfoil is a thin copper foil with a thickness of less than 10 micrometers for secondary batteries and printed circuit board (PCB). In 2018, the company has established its first overseas factory in Samajaya Free Industrial Zone, Kuching, Sarawak to manufacture its elecfoil. ILJIN will be undertaking an expansion project, to manufacture its next generation of elecfoil with additional investment of RM2.2 billion. The expansion project will be executed on 16 hectares of land adjacent to the existing project which is expected to materialise in 2025, where ILJIN will produce 40,000 tonnes of elecfoil annually. It is to be noted that 500 tonnes of elecfoil can produce 15,000 Electric Vehicle (EV) providing a great opportunity for ILJIN to capitalise the European market as the biggest market for EV in the world and utilising their operations powered by local talents in Malaysia, to significantly increase their production of the next generation of elecfoil for EV.

From Japan, Nippon Electric Glass Co., Ltd. (NEG), one of the world’s leading manufacturers of specialty glass, will invest at least RM1 billion for the new production of e-glass fibre. NEG is the leading glass manufacture for flat panel displays, controlling 20 per cent of the market share in the world’s production of glass for liquid crystal displays (LCD). The new E-Glass Fibre will be used to produce automotive parts and components in the production of wind turbine blades for wind power generation. The new project is set to begin operations in 2022, using improved manufacturing process by capitalising on Artificial Intelligence (AI) and other futuristic technologies.

Moving forward, Mr. Arham Abdul Rahman, CEO of MIDA, said “ROK and Japan will continue to be major investor countries in Malaysia. MIDA will continue to welcome high-quality foreign direct investments from around the world, including ROK and Japan. These investments assume an important role in the development of Malaysia due to
their multiplier impact on the economy and will continue to do so in the post-pandemic era. Through policy reviews and targeted approaches, the Government will ensure that Malaysia remains the preferred investment location with a favourable environment for quality investments in Asia.

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 media queries, please contact:
Manjit Kaur Balkar Singh (Ms)
Corporate Communications Division, MIDA
Email: [email protected]
DL: +603-2267 3509

Malaysia Secured RM8.9 Billion of Committed Investment for 2021 from the Trade and Investment Mission (TIM) to The Republic Of Korea (ROK) and Japan

Kuala Lumpur, 21 April 2021 – Globetronics Techology Bhd., a leading miniaturised optical sensors manufacturer in Malaysia, announced the establishement of a cloud-based state-of-the-art platform through the adoption of Industry 4.0 processes in their high volume mass production operations. The expansion worth RM50.2 million will incorporate Artificial Intelligence (AI), big data analytics and Extended Reality (AR + VR) into their end-to-end intelligent supply chain and manufacturing which enables higher levels of customisation, reduction of cycle times and superior quality traceability for a diversified product portfolio and dynamic customer needs.

The move towards integrating intelligence into the company’s machines and business processes is timely in addressing the non-skilled labour acquisition challenges as well as increasing the resilience in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The implementation of automation to its processes will also help Globetronics to focus on high revenue generation activities such as predictive and prescriptive data to maximise machine operations. The initiative maps the path for the Company’s “Lights off” factory within the next five (5) years.

Mr. Arham Abdul Rahman, Chief Executive Officer of MIDA, expressed that “In line with the Government’s aspiration to spearhead rapid digital transformation in the manufacturing sector, Globetronics’ expansion will pave the way for enhancement in productivity, job creation and deepening the Malaysians skill set by leveraging on cutting-edge technology and emerging AI capabilities.”

“The introduction of Industry4WRD policy, served as a strategic direction for Malaysia to fully embrace Industry 4.0, including smart manufacturing and smart cities, smart grids, as well as smart solutions. While digitalisation is the antidote for business survival and growth in innovation-led value creation, Globetronics’ Industry 4.0 adoption will complement the electrical and electronics industry by producing advanced semiconductor photonic products through the utilisation of autonomous robots and smart manufacturing”, he added.

Globetronics’ IR4.0 transformation focuses on workforce transformation, reimagining manufacturing and workforce training via Extended Reality (ER). The Company’s ER technology will bridge the gap between the digital and physical world by superimposing live-streamed images with its extensive database of machines learnt data from research and development (R&D) as well as manufacturing phases. Subsequently a digital guru may be utilised to ensure a seamless work action and reduced human errors in day-to-day operations. The closed-loop integration of product, process and quality data via AI will serve as an inadvertent error prevention guarantee of its quality excellence. This will be the enabling technology to directly uplift lesser skilled workers and proportionally bring up the minimum wage.

The new recharacterising of Globetronics’ manufacturing processes will be the testbed to proliferate and intensify the use of big data across its end-to-end supply chain and manufacturing system. The workforce transformation will position the company to be the front runner in Malaysia in establishing a data-driven culture and hub to attract data science talents, locally and globally. Besides, the expansion would also demonstrate Globetronics’ commitment to continually invest in emerging technologies that are critical to support the constantly evolving landscape to ensure its business sustainability.

Globetronics’ new platform is set to gear up for exciting next generation semiconductor wafer-level packaging technology including the 2.5D, where the stacking of dies will be replaced by flip-chip on a silicon interposer.

About Globetronics
Globetronics is a Malaysian technology company that is involved in the manufacturing of Miniaturised Optical Sensors, Light Emitting Diode (LED) components and modules, Quartz Crystal Timing Devices, Integrated Circuits, Optoelectronic Products as well the provision of technical plating services. It’s main operating sites are in Penang and Kuala Lumpur. Globetronics is listed on the Main Board of Bursa Malaysia, with a market capitalisation of RM 1.8 billion and a has a staff strength of 1,200 employees.

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.

Media contacts:
Globetronics:
Ng Kok Yu
Email: [email protected]| Tel.: +604 819 4160
MIDA:
Manjit Kaur Balkar Singh (Ms)
Email: [email protected] | Tel.: +603 2267 3509

Globetronics Embarks on RM50 Million Industry 4.0 Transformation Programme for Business Sustainability

Partnership for Microsoft’s first datacentre region and skilling of one (1) million Malaysians in new and advanced cloud technologies

Kuala Lumpur, 20 April 2021 – The Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA) is proud to pronounce Microsoft’s Bersama Malaysia initiative as a game-changer towards the country’s digital-first agenda, in line with the nation’s MyDIGITAL aspirations.

Microsoft’s plan to establish its first datacentre region in Malaysia and its catalytic role in digital infrastructure is set to accelerate the nation’s innovation in cloud technologies, further boosting local and foreign investors’ confidence in Malaysia. Microsoft’s commitment to prowess up to 1 million Malaysians by December 2023 will propel the local digital workforce to drive the nation’s digital economic growth.

Microsoft’s Bersama Malaysia was launched yesterday by Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, Prime Minister of Malaysia. Also present at the launch ceremony were Dato’ Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali, Senior Minister and Minister of International Trade and Industry (MITI); Dato’ Sri Mustapa Mohamed, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office for Economics; Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz, Minister of Finance; and Datuk Seri M. Saravanan, Minister of Human Resources. This collaboration strengthens Microsoft’s long-term commitment to help empower Malaysia’s inclusive digital economy through public-private partnerships.

Mr. Arham Abdul Rahman, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of MIDA, who was also present at the launch, congratulated Microsoft on its Bersama Malaysia initiative. “Malaysia has tremendous opportunity to fortify itself as a preferred location for technology players. Microsoft’s investment with its first datacentre region in our country is a strong testament to Malaysia’s pro-business, pro-trade and business-friendly investment policies. Having Microsoft, a global technology player expanding its footprint in the digital infrastructure in Malaysia, helps form the backbone for a sustainable digital ecosystem. Most importantly, Microsoft’s commitment through its world-class digital infrastructure will position us in a higher rank to progress into a digital nation.” said Mr. Arham.

“Microsoft’s long-term presence for nearly 30 years also reflects their confidence in our local talents in driving the nation’s digital transformation. We will continue to support Microsoft’s efforts in Malaysia, particularly in transforming the nation’s digital landscape, infrastructure and its skilled workforce, thus enhancing Malaysia’s competitiveness and attractiveness as the preferred destination for high technology investments,” he added.

The upcoming Microsoft datacentre region is expected to benefit local businesses, the Government, and communities across all sectors. The local datacentre region will comprise a set of datacentres located within Greater Kuala Lumpur, deployed within a latency-defined perimeter and connected through a dedicated low-latency network. Users are able to gain fast access to Microsoft’s leading-edge cloud services as well as the ability to store data and applications in the country.

The datacentre region will also feature Azure Availability Zones, with unique features such as physical locations equipped with independent power; network and cooling support for additional tolerance and withstand datacentre failures. This ensures data remains available and protected, even when there’s an event impacting the datacentre site such as power failure; without comprising data residency, privacy, security or compliance.

Based on research conducted by IDC¹, Microsoft’s investment in Malaysia will assist in generating approximately RM19 billion² in revenues over the next four (4) years within the country’s ecosystem of local partners and cloud-consuming customers. Moreover, Microsoft and its partners, together with the cloud-using customers will also assume significant roles in growing the nation’s workforce, contributing more than 19,000 direct and indirect new job opportunities over the same period of time.

Mr. K. Raman, Managing Director of Microsoft Malaysia, added, “Having a robust digital infrastructure and a future-ready digital workforce will play a profound role in ensuring Malaysia’s economic recovery and resilience. We fully support the Government’s bold and progressive vision as targeted in the Malaysia Digital Economy Blueprint. We are confident that the digital-first, cloud-first policy outlined in the Blueprint will further propel innovation and accelerate the nation’s transformation to become a regional leader in the digital economy. In support of this and echoing our Bersama Malaysia commitment, we are humbled by the support extended by MIDA and we look forward to strengthening our partnership to realise Malaysia’s inclusive digital aspirations.”

Mr. Arham concluded that the Government will continue to adopt a targeted approach in attracting investments. The Government recognises the need to develop the high technology sectors as one of the strategies to sustain the momentum of economic growth and to improve the competitiveness and resilience of the Malaysian economy. In remaining on this steady path, the National Digital Economy and Fourth Industrial Council (MED4IR) will optimise the development of Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) technology and digital economy, in line with the 2030 Shared Prosperity Vision and Sustainable Development Agenda. The Economic Cluster of the MED4IR Council will be governed by MITI, with MIDA as an active Committee Member in the Government’s initiatives to drive the national 4IR and digital growth.

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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 Microsoft
Microsoft (Nasdaq “MSFT” @microsoft) enables digital transformation for the era of an intelligent cloud and an intelligent edge. Its mission is to empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more.

For more information, please contact:

MIDA
Manjit Kaur Balkar Singh (Ms.)
Email: [email protected]
DL: +603-2267 3509

Microsoft Malaysia
Eric Lai (Mr.)
Email: [email protected]

_________________________________

¹ IDC Info Snapshot, sponsored by Microsoft, The Microsoft Cloud Dividend Snapshot: Malaysia, Doc. #US46918020, October 2020
² USD4.6 billion (Bank Negara Exchange Rate : USD 1=RM 4.1405 as at 5 April 2021

MIDA Welcomes Microsoft’s First Data Centre Region in Malaysia – A Game-Changer for Malaysia’s Digital Economic Transformation

Kuala Lumpur, 14 April 2021 – The Malaysian Industrial Development Finance Berhad (MIDF) has inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA) to offer small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and Mid-Tier Companies (MTCs) the opportunity to benefit from MIDA’s Smart Automation Grant (SAG).

The SAG initiative, introduced in the National Economic Recovery Plan or PENJANA with an initial allocation of RM100 million, was launched by the Senior Minister and Minister of International Trade and Industry (MITI) on 2 December 2020. This grant is awarded to eligible SMEs and MTCs on a matching basis or 50 per cent of total eligible expenditures, up to a maximum grant cap of RM1 million per company. Based on the encouraging response for SAG, the Government announced an additional RM50 million fund under the Strategic Programme to Empower the People and Economy or PEMERKASA to drive more SMEs and MTCs to improve their operation and production through automation and digitalisation.

The collaboration between MIDF and MIDA aims to promote and facilitate the SAG’s utilisation through a strategic alliance. Under this alliance, MIDA will provide grants for qualified companies, whereas MIDF will offer financing to these companies for their remaining expenses. Additionally, qualified companies already enjoying financing facilities from MIDF may lower their financial commitment upon successful application for SAG.

Mr. Ahmad Khairuddin Abdul Rahim, Deputy Chief Executive Officer II of MIDA, remarked, “The Government, through MIDA is committed to assist Malaysia’s industry players and businesses towards higher productivity and market competitiveness. The collaboration between MIDA and MIDF is in line with our objective to provide financial assistance for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and Mid-Tier Companies (MTCs) towards automation and digitalisation. These two processes are crucial components and push factors in speeding up operation process, reducing errors and increase productivity.”

“The objective of SAG is to reassure SMEs and MTCs in the manufacturing and services sectors to automate and digitalise their operations and production, to spur their competitiveness, to reduce the reliance of foreign workers and to create new job opportunities in high value-added sectors. The Government looks forward for Malaysian companies to embark transformation towards digitalisation and automation to remain resilient amidst the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and economic contraction. We trust that this partnership would result Malaysia’s businesses growth across industry supply chains” he added.

Dato’ Charon Wardini Mokhzani, Group Managing Director of MIDF, iterates, “This MoU underlines the close relationship between MIDA and MIDF and our joint commitment to support companies that aspire to automate and modernise. As a nation, we need to increase productivity and value-add Malaysian businesses to higher levels in our path towards a high-income nation; investing in automation and digitalisation is one way to achieve this. MIDF is honoured to be part of this important initiative.”

SMEs and MTCs that have been undertaking manufacturing or services activities in the past 12 months are eligible to be considered for SAG. The automised machine, equipment or software purchased through this grant must be utilised directly in the company’s value chain in order to qualify for the incentive. Improvements in two components (productivity and efficiency) will be assessed on a range of criteria such as reducing unskilled workers, man-hours, defect rate and the increase in production volume. Interested companies are advised to submit applications to the various industries and services divisions in MIDA.

To find out more about the Guidelines of SAG please visit:
https://www.mida.gov.my/forms-and-guidelines/

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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 MIDA

The MIDF group carries out investment banking, development finance and asset management. It serves entrepreneurs as well as large corporations and institutions. Malayan Industrial Development Finance Ltd (now MIDF) was established in 1960 following the recommendations of the World Bank on how to finance the industrialisation of Malaya, and over the last 61 years the MIDF Group has been part of the development and modernisation of Malaysia’s economy and capital markets. MIDF is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Permodalan Nasional Berhad.

For media enquiries, please contact:

Ms.Masni Muhammad
Director, Strategic Planning and Policy Advocacy (Manufacturing) Division
Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA)
Phone : +603 2267 3444
Email : [email protected]

Ms. Irmawati Mahamad Tahir
Vice President
Group Strategic Communications
Malaysian Industrial Development Finance Berhad (MIDF)
Phone : +603 2173 8756
Email : [email protected]

MIDF Inks MOU with MIDA on Smart Automation Grant to Drive Malaysian Companies into Automation

R&D for Business Programme Attracted 1,392 Companies

KUALA LUMPUR, 13 April 2021 – The Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA) successfully hosted the Research and Development for Business (RD4B) Programme to promote and increase awareness of the importance of R&D activities among industries players.

The event was an important platform for businesses to familiarise with government departments and agencies that promote R&D in Malaysia. Speakers from MIDA, Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI), Ministry of Science, Technology, and Innovation (MOSTI), Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE), Inland Revenue Board (IRB), Collaborative Research in Engineering, Science and Technology Centre (CREST) and Cyberview Sdn. Bhd. briefed 1,392 foreign and domestic participants on resources pertaining to R&D undertakings.

It was also an excellent avenue for new and existing businesses to knowledge up the available government assistance in making informed R&D investments or expanding their businesses in the R&D segment.

In his keynote address, Mr. Arham Abdul Rahman, Chief Executive Officer of MIDA iterated that the Government, in recognising the importance of research, development and innovation, provides funding support through various ministries for all stages of R&D from idea creation, research, development and commercialisation. He said, “In Budget 2021, the Government further expanded the tax incentive for companies that commercialises the R&D findings of public research institutions and, public and private higher learning institutions. The eligible R&D scope now includes both resource-based and non-resource-based undertakings.”

As of 31 December 2020, MIDA recorded a total of 199 approved R&D-related projects with capital investments of RM3.1 billion that created 6,949 high-skilled jobs. These approvals comprise 30 R&D companies, 80 contract R&D companies, 46 companies with in-house R&D facilities, 26 R&D status companies and 17 national strategic R&D projects. Among the top industries in which the R&D projects were approved include electrical and electronics (E&E), automotive and transport, machinery and equipment as well as chemical and chemical products.

Mr. Arham stressed on, “Given the cautiously optimistic investment climate due to the current pandemic, MIDA remains positive on the outlook of investments in R&D. We hope to continuously grow investments in R&D and give our utmost support to spur R&D and innovation in the country. Furthermore, R&D plays an imminent role in Industry 4.0. MIDA is also encouraging companies to tap upon the MIDA Lighthouse Programme that assists companies to accelerate Industry 4.0 adoption to a scalable and impactful stage. Simultaneously, it also hopes to influence ecosystem providers towards similar Industry 4.0 transformation by facilitating companies to address implementation challenges and barriers.”

Companies are encouraged to leverage the Government’s various support and facilities to move towards Industry 4.0. Among the initiatives under MIDA include the Automation Capital Allowance, Industry4WRD Intervention Fund, as well as the Smart Automation Grant (SAG). More details can be obtained at www.mida.gov.my.

During the programme, Mr. Arham officiated an i-R&D portal managed by MIDA. “This initiative looks to promote companies along the R&D value chain by connecting all relevant stakeholders via the portal. The connectivity between the R&D companies, researches and academic institutions is tantamount to ensure that R&D initiatives in the country are being realised effectively,” Mr. Arham added.

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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.

Media Contacts:
Manjit Kaur Balkar Singh (Ms)
Email: [email protected] | DL: +603-2267 3509

MIDA Facilitates Industries to Pursue R&D

Kuala Lumpur, 6 April 2021 – The Government has agreed to provide certain relaxation of conditions to manufacturing and services companies that have been approved with incentives under the purview of the Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA). This is part of the proactive measures undertaken by the Government to continue Malaysia’s economic revitalisation efforts by facilitating investments and restoring investors’ confidence.

Under the normal procedure, the approved companies are required to comply with certain conditions and implement their approved projects within a specific period, as stipulated in the Approval Letters issued by MIDA. However, with the implementation of this relaxation mechanism, a company may be considered for certain relaxations on achieving the approved thresholds or meeting the implementation timeline of their approved projects, subject to compliance of identified criteria set by the Government. The relaxation of compliance with stipulated conditions is for the period between 2020 and 2021.

To leverage this facility, companies are required to submit their soonest requests to MIDA with relevant supporting documentation based on the prevailing policy decisions set by the Ministry of International Trade and Industry as well as the Ministry of Finance.

The Government hopes that this measure will further assist in supporting and stimulating the growth of the manufacturing and services sectors in Malaysia given the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic and the enforcement of the Movement Control Order (MCO) which have challenged economic activities and businesses.

Investors are encouraged to submit their appeal applications on relaxation/amendment of incentive conditions to the relevant divisions for specific industries and services in MIDA. For further enquiries directly related to policy matters, please contact the Strategic Planning and Policy Advocacy (Services) Division of MIDA at 03-2267 3633 (ext. 6675) / [email protected] or the Strategic Planning and Policy Advocacy (Manufacturing) Division of MIDA at 03-2267 3633 (ext. 6786) / [email protected].

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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.

Media Contacts:
Manjit Kaur Balkar Singh (Ms)
Email: [email protected] | DL: +603-2267 3509

Relaxation Of Incentive Conditions For Manufacturing And Services Projects Approved Under The Purview Of MIDA

Kuala Lumpur, 1 April 2021 – The Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA) announced the retirement of its Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Dato’ Azman Mahmud. Mr. Arham Abdul Rahman, former Deputy CEO I of MIDA will step up to the role of the new CEO effective 1 April 2021.

Mr. Arham has an outstanding track record and highly distinguished career spanning over three decades with MIDA. He has served primarily in the foreign investment arm of the organisation, with years of service in Germany and the USA. His experience as a MIDA frontliner for attracting and facilitating foreign investments into the country, gives him the unique proposition to lead MIDA in the new norm.

Dato’ Azman’s retirement concludes his 32 years of service at MIDA. He has held various positions across many divisions within the organisation. He has been instrumental in building Malaysia’s business ecosystems, facilitating industrial development and promoting investments in line with the country’s national investment aspirations. The ultimate objective is to position Malaysia as a preferred investment destination in the region and beyond given our country’s strategic value propositions and potential business opportunities.

During Dato’ Azman’s leadership, MIDA has actively advised on, recommended and implemented policies, strategies and directions for Malaysia’s manufacturing and services sectors. Working together will all levels of stakeholders including governmental counterparts, foreign and local business communities as well as academia and training partners, MIDA has consistently achieved yearly investment targets of RM200 billion between 2014 to 2019.

Furthermore, MIDA has received several accolades in recognition of its contribution to the country’s development. Notably, MIDA’s excellence garnered the Top Investment Promotion Agency award in the Asia-Pacific National category by Site Selection magazine, a US-based international business publication, in 2015, 2016 and 2019.

The COVID-19 pandemic presented unanticipated challenges for MIDA; however, Dato’ Azman at the helm, helped MIDA and the industry stakeholders navigate the uncertainties together with the Ministry of International Trade and Industry. MIDA was instrumental in the evaluation process during the initial Movement Control Order implementation and provided pertinent inputs for the drafting of policies and strategies in the Government’s plan to revive Malaysia’s economy to ensure that the nation’s industries remain sustainable and the livelihoods of people are protected.

Dato’ Azman has also led MIDA to actively re-engineering MIDA’s business processes to keep up with innovative and agile ways of working in this age of digitisation. The increased efficiency of the various functions of the organisation will enhance core business activities and visibility as well as strengthen the strategic planning and policy advocacy capacity.

This was particularly crucial during the pandemic as MIDA remained resilient and responsive in providing advice and support to the existing and potential investors despite the international border closures and restrictions in movement and gathering imposed. In 2020, MIDA successfully held over 500 online engagements with local and foreign stakeholders to update on the latest policy changes due to the pandemic through various online platforms and digital tools to ease investors and sustain confidence in Malaysia during the challenging time.

Moreover, on 23 March 2021, the Business Travellers’ Centre in KLIA was launched as part of the One Stop Centre (OSC) initiative by MIDA to ease the movement of business travellers during the pandemic by expediting the approval of their entry into Malaysia, as Malaysia embarks on the path of revitalisation. This Centre assumes a critical role in ensuring that Malaysia remains steady on the path of economic recovery and growth by enabling business travellers’ movement to do their business in Malaysia during the pandemic.

Most recently on 26 March 2021, MIDA’s InvestMalaysia Portal went live to the public. Serving as a single entry point for the stakeholders by offering 10 modules for online application submission, the portal focuses to transform MIDA’s core business functions towards improved efficiency and productivity by embracing an integrated technology system to expedite the application and approval process and further allow companies to speed-up project implementation.

As the organisation prepares itself for a smooth transition for the future, all MIDA Management and staff would like to express their sincere appreciation to Dato’ Azman for his contributions and dedication to the organisation and the country. MIDA will continue Dato’s Azman and his predecessors’ legacies to ensure MIDA remains a world class Investment Promotion Agency to cement Malaysia’s position as the pre-eminent preferred investment destination, under Mr. Arham’s leadership.

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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.

Media Contact:
Manjit Kaur Balkar Singh (Ms)
DL: +603-2267 3509 | Email: [email protected]

Dato’ Azman Mahmud Retires after 32 Years of Service for the Nation; Mr. Arham Abdul Rahman Helms Position as New CEO of MIDA

The National Supply Chain Conference on Rail Projects organised by the Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA) was held today at the Putra World Trade Centre (PWTC), Kuala Lumpur. It attracted an overwhelming interest of more than 2,000 participants ranging from industry players as well as local authorities, business chambers and embassies

Business And Job Opportunities Abound at MIDA’s National Supply Chain Conference on Rail Projects and Career Fair 2018

Malaysia last year recorded a total of 109 electrical and electronics (E&E) industry projects with approved investments of RM9.7 billion to drive new business growth and job creation, positioning the region to accelerate its transition into a smart manufacturing hub.

MIDA & SEMI to Propel Malaysia’s Electronics Industry via SEMICON Southeast Asia 2018

In line with the technological advancements taking place in Malaysia, the Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA) signed a tripartite pact with Daher and France’s IoT Valley on 20 April 2018. The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) will contribute towards promoting more investment and business cooperation between France and Malaysia, particularly in the development of IoT and logistics in Malaysia’s aerospace industry.

MIDA Signs Tripartite Pact with Daher & IoT Valley Woo More French Investments, Drive Innovation in Aerospace Logistics

“There are many exciting developments happening in Terengganu that bodes well for business and job opportunities. The East Coast Rail Link (ECRL), Terengganu Silica Valley (TSV), Terengganu Technology Hub (TTH), Visit Terengganu 2018 and the rejuvenation of the Knowledge Park in Tembila – a boost to the development of human capital in the state,” said Mr Arham Abdul Rahman, Deputy Chief Executive Officer of the Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA) during its 5th instalment of the MIDA Invest Series today

MIDA Invest Series: Unfolding the Potential Of Terengganu

The Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA) signed and exchanged a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Cosmetic Valley France (CVF) during a MIDA Mission to Paris led by the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) on 19 April 2018. This MoU reflects the shared ambition between both entities to develop a sustainable cosmetics and personal care industry cluster in Malaysia through the sharing of information, mutual promotional initiatives and R&D efforts particularly in the Halal segment. Ultimately, this will contribute towards providing new and innovative products to the market and enhancing economic growth for both Malaysia and France.

The Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA) signed and exchanged a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Cosmetic Valley France (CVF) during a MIDA Mission to Paris led by the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) on 19 April 2018. This MoU reflects the shared ambition between both entities to develop a sustainable cosmetics and personal care industry cluster in Malaysia through the sharing of information, mutual promotional initiatives and R&D efforts particularly in the Halal segment. Ultimately, this will contribute towards providing new and innovative products to the market and enhancing economic growth for both Malaysia and France.

MIDA Inks MoU with Cosmetic Valley France Set to Boost Innovation in Halal Cosmetics Industrial Cluster in Malaysia

The Localisation Programme for Automotive Industry 2019 with the theme “Local2Global” organised by the Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA) in collaboration with the Malaysian Automotive Association (MAA) at MIDA headquarters today received an encouraging response from the automotive industry players. The event, which was well attended by over 100 participants ranging from MAA members, including the Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) and local vendors discussed among others, initiatives to increase localisation activities that will benefit all stakeholders as well as to encourage more investments in the industry

MIDA Collaborates With MAA To Boost Localisation Activities In The Automotive Industry

The Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA) is pleased to announce the appointment of Dato’ Abdul Majid Ahmad Khan, the President of Malaysia-China Friendship Association who is also the Honorary Chairman of the Malaysia-China Chamber of Commerce, as the new Chairman of MIDA, effective 22 April 2019

25 April 2019, Kuala Lumpur – The Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA) is pleased to announce the appointment of Dato’ Abdul Majid Ahmad Khan, the President of Malaysia-China Friendship Association who is also the Honorary Chairman of the Malaysia-China Chamber of Commerce, as the new Chairman of MIDA, effective 22 April 2019.

Dato’ Abdul Majid needs no further introduction as he has a highly distinguished career spanning over three decades in the civil service including the Prime Minister’s Department as well as several Malaysia Missions abroad and senior positions in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. He has also carved a name among Malaysia’s illustrious personalities, especially in the corporate world. He is on several boards of companies including three public listed companies in Malaysia. Dato’ Abdul Majid holds a Bachelor of Economics (Honours) from the University of Malaya.

The new chairman succeeds Tan Sri Amirsham A. Aziz, whose term has ended in 2018 after six years of distinguished service. MIDA would like to express its sincere appreciation to Tan Sri Amirsham for his contributions and dedication to the organisation and the country.

As someone with such a vast experience, Dato’ Abdul Majid’s leadership will be invaluable to MIDA, particularly in the context of the organisation’s efforts in attracting more quality investments that translate to tangible benefits felt by all Malaysians.

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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 a strong and dynamic organisation of over 700 employees. Headquartered in Kuala Lumpur Sentral, MIDA today has 12 regional and 20 overseas offices. For more information, please visit www.mida.gov.my and follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook, @OfficialMIDA.

For more information, please contact:

Puan Zalina Zainol

Director, Corporate Communications, MIDA

Tel.: 03-2263 2437 | Email: [email protected]

Dato’ Abdul Majid Bin Ahmad Khan, New Chairman of MIDA