Kuala Lumpur, 29 August 2022 – Ten Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) were signed and exchanged between Ajlan & Bros Holding Group and prominent Malaysian companies within the fields of manufacturing, electrical and electronics, aerospace, e-commerce, construction, healthcare, technology, entertainment and cybersecurity today. The formalised partnerships are anticipated to collectively represent potential investments of USD7.5 billion or close to RM34 billion (USD7.5 billion; BNM exchange rate USD1 = MYR 4.47).

Among the MOUs signed include collaborations between the Saudi conglomerate with Dagang NeXchange Berhad (DNeX), Aerodyne Systems Sdn. Bhd., National Aerospace & Defense Industries Sdn. Bhd. (NADI), Twistcode Technologies Sdn. Bhd., CyberSecurity Malaysia, Malaysian Genomics Resource Centre Berhad, Meta Universe Sdn. Bhd., Light Up 7 Sdn. Bhd. and My Events Sdn. Bhd.

YB Dato’ Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali, Senior Minister and Minister of International Trade and Industry (MITI) remarked, “Malaysia is looking for new collaborations to grow together and such partnerships with Ajlan & Bros Holding Group reaffirm our aspirations. During the Round Table Networking Session on 24 June 2022 with the group, we explored potential investments for prominent Malaysian companies in various sectors and identified the vast prospects for both parties to exploit for mutual gain. Indeed, Malaysia is keen to explore new opportunities in the Kingdom’s ambitious Vision 2030. While Malaysia has achieved numerous economic milestones, we must step up efforts to leverage on the opportunities to achieve greater economic success and build stronger and meaningful bilateral relations with the Kingdom. Our home-grown companies must be well-positioned to emulate success stories like Ajlan & Bros Holding Group into their corporate transformation programme.”

“The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has become a successful model for many countries around the world to develop entrepreneurship and economic diversification. Their prominent companies need no introduction, having won international accolades and prestigious awards. This fits well with our National Investment Aspirations (NIA) which encourages a sustained flow of quality investments in new and complex growth areas. Through this initiative, NIA aims to foster quality innovation and sophisticated projects in Malaysia,” added the Senior Minister.

Datuk Wira Arham Abdul Rahman, MIDA CEO said, “We are proud that Ajlan & Bros Holding Group will be partnering our local companies to access the wider market in the ASEAN region. MIDA has been working closely with Ajlan & Bros Holding Group and we are optimistic that this collaboration will be a stepping stone to provide more rewarding connections for both our business communities.”

He added, “Our players will also be leveraging this partnership to enlarge their footprint globally in the Kingdom. MIDA continues to empower and motivate the private sector through active communication channels and facilitating investor connections, creating a lucrative investment environment that characterizes the abundance of qualitative enablers and competitive advantages.”

Ajlan & Bros Holding Group is among the Forbes List of Top 100 Arab Family Businesses in the Middle East for 2021. The Group has been actively expanding its presence globally through partnerships and collaborations across a variety of industry sectors. The Chairman of the Group, Mr. Ajlan Bin Abdulaziz Al Ajlan is also the Chairperson of the Council of Saudi Chambers of Commerce and Industry (CSC) where he represents the Riyadh Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

“The move aims to strengthen existing economic relations between two countries by developing effective programmes and mechanisms for collaboration in efforts for all future projects of mutual interests and thereafter. Partners will co-operate and work together in the fields of trade, investment, knowledge exchange, and facilitate joint economic efforts during the next stage, thereby promoting sustainable economic development in both countries.” said Sheikh Mohammed Abdulaziz Al Ajlan, Vice Chairman Ajlan & Bros. Holding Group.

As of March 2022, Malaysia has recorded a total of 18 approved manufacturing projects with Saudi participation, amounting to RM5.13 billion (USD1.65 billion) of investments. These projects are anticipated to create 2,560 jobs across industries such as chemical and chemical products, food manufacturing, electronics and electrical products, textiles and textile products, plastic products, non-metallic mineral products, machinery and equipment as well as scientific and measuring equipment.

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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, TikTok and YouTube channel.

ABOUT AJLAN & BROS HOLDING GROUP

Ajlan & Bros Holding Group is part of Ajlan & Bros Group of Companies, which is a multinational investment conglomerate and headquartered in Saudi Arabia with extensive global private equity, real estate and industrial investments.

For further information, please contact:

Mr. Faizal Jalaludin
Director, Foreign Investment Division, MIDA
Tel: 03-2267 6650 | Email: [email protected]

Dr. Abdul Khaliq Rasheed
Consultant, Malaysia/ASEAN, Ajlan & Bros Group
Tel: +966114665555 | M: +60189875941

Strategic MOUs Inked Between Ajlan & Bros Holding Group and Notable Malaysian Companies

August 29, 2022, Malaysia – A.P. Moller-Maersk (Maersk) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA), to drive high-quality investments into Malaysia as one of the logistics hubs in ASEAN, creating better synergies and value-added services for customers, and contributing to the growth and development of the supply chain sector in the Malaysian economy.

The MOU has been signed by Sivasuriyamoorthy Sundara Raja, Deputy Chief Executive Officer (DCEO), Investment Promotion and Facilitation of MIDA and Rupesh Jain, Managing Director of Maersk – Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore today at MIDA Headquarters in Kuala Lumpur.

“Logistics is a cornerstone of Malaysia’s economy. By connecting suppliers to manufacturers, and consumers to businesses, we support the growth of various industries. I applaud Maersk for their continuous efforts in taking the lead on initiatives to uplift the logistics industry. The MOU with Maersk will bring in more targeted global investments into Malaysia through strategic and value-added engagement approach to multinational companies. By leveraging Maersk’s capabilities in integrated logistics, we can transform Malaysia into a regional logistics hub in ASEAN, further boosting infrastructure development and free trade,” says Sivasuriyamoorthy Sundara Raja, DCEO, Investment Promotion and Facilitation of MIDA.

Both parties will work together to attract high-tech and high impact investments in sectors including automotive, electrical and electronics (E&E), machinery and equipment, medical devices, aerospace, renewable energy, and consumer technology. Meanwhile, the two sides will build a mutually beneficial eco-system in focus markets to maximize FDI opportunities into Malaysia.

“As our customers are reconfiguring their supply chains to make them more agile, resilient & sustainable, Maersk is constantly growing our logistics footprints globally to support this transformation for our customers. With the ambition to provide truly integrated logistics to our customers, this collaboration with MIDA allows us to leverage our strengths and combine with Malaysia’s geographical advantage to mount solutions in the region,” says Rupesh Jain, Managing Director of Maersk – Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore.

“One of Maersk’s key focuses has been creating value to our customers in the geographies that we operate in. This MOU is a strong testament, and we expect that through our cooperation with MIDA, we can help position Malaysia as an attractive investment destination for potential investors. The country’s geostrategic position has made it a natural hub. By further enhancing Maersk’s logistics strength, we will contribute towards the growth and development of Malaysian supply chain sector,” adds Goh Hean Chun, Managing Director, Maersk Malaysia.

Maersk Malaysia commenced its operations in 1975. Today, Maersk employs more than 300 staff with representations in 12 locations throughout Malaysia and warehouse facilities in seven locations with a capacity of up to 68,000 sq metre. More locations and capacity are expected to be added in the near future.

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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.

About Maersk

A.P. Moller – Maersk is an integrated container logistics company working to connect and simplify its customers’ supply chains. As the global leader in shipping services, the company operates in 130 countries and employs approximately 100,000 people. Website: www.maersk.com

For more information, please contact: 

MIDA:
Ms. Habibah Binti Enok
Director, Oil and Gas, Maritime and Logistics Division, MIDA
E: [email protected]
T: +603-2267 3539

Maersk:
Bonnie Huang

Media Relations Manager, Maersk Asia Pacific[email protected]

MIDA And Maersk Enter Into Strategic Partnership To Promote Investments In Malaysia

Kuala Lumpur, August 25, 2022 — The Malaysian Investment Development Authority or MIDA hosted its Invest Series: Unfolding States ‘Business Potential’ on 25 August 2022 at Perdana Hall, MIDA Sentral, Kuala Lumpur, in collaboration with the Terengganu State Government through its investment promotional arm, Invest Terengganu. The event, which was previously held annually but had to be halted for the past two years due to the COVID- 19 pandemic, returns this year as an effort by the respective government agencies to highlight investment opportunities in Terengganu, drawing inspiration from Terengganu’s Chief Minister YAB Dato’ Seri Dr. Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar’s slogan, “Your investment destiny starts here, Terengganu. We will transform your investment into reality”.

Datuk Arham Abdul Rahman, Chief Executive Officer of MIDA remarked “We are pleased to continue the momentum by presenting the first state, under the second round of the Invest Series programme, by highlighting the competitive advantage of investing in the Terengganu state. I applaud the state for its intensified efforts to focus on pursuing more high quality, capital-intensive projects and those that support the sustainable development agenda. This trajectory is aligned to the Shared Prosperity Vision (SPV) 2030 and the Twelfth Malaysia Plan (RMK12). The targeted investments by the state is also aligned well with Malaysia’s National Investment Aspirations (NIA) and Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) principles.”

“Terengganu has been one of the preferred and selected states for investment by the business community. From 2017 to June 2022, there were 29 manufacturing projects approved and implemented in Terengganu with a total investment of RM2.3 billion. More than half of these investments were from foreign sources, recording a total of RM1.27 billion. These projects have been instrumental in creating over 1,727 job opportunities, mainly in the fields of petroleum products (including petrochemicals), chemicals and chemical products, non-metallic mineral products, wood and wood products, as well as machinery and equipment.” Datuk Arham added.

“The Kerteh Bioplymer Park, an East Coast Economic Region (ECER) hub for bio-economy and specialty chemicals that spans over 140-hectares is growing fast with both Phase 1 and Phase 2 fully taken up. The third phase of the park opened last year to accommodate growing demand from investors. To date, the total accumulated investment in Kerteh Biopolymer Park has increased to RM5.6 billion, with more than 5,000 employment created for the people of Terengganu” said Dato’ Haji Tengku Hassan Tengku Omar, Chairman of Terengganu State Committee for Trade, Industry, Regional Development and Administration Wellbeing.

“Terengganu has committed itself to increase economic growth by adding more industrial parks which are Kerteh Terengganu Industrial Park, Pulau Kerengga Industrial Park and Terengganu Silica Valley. This is another step towards making sure that there are good prospects not only now but into the future in Terengganu” Dato’ Haji Tengku Hassan added.

The potential for profit in the state is vast. With rich natural resources and incentives provided by both local agencies as well as federal ones, it would be hard not to see what’s     on offer when looking at investing here. The state currently has 25 industrial areas covering    4,158.26 hectares of land, located in one of the most vital maritime routes, offers competitive cost of doing business and excellent infrastructure. In addition, access to the East Coast Railway Link (ECRL) with a total length of 688 km and a route connecting Port Klang, Selangor, Pahang, Terengganu, and ending in Tumpat, Kelantan that will be completed by the year 2026 will also serve as a catalyst for significant economic  spill over benefits for Terengganu. With 12 flights to and from Kuala Lumpur, the deepest water depth port in Kemaman and 358 km of dual-carriage ways running from Kuala Terengganu to Gombak of the east coast highway makes them a vital and strategic link, promoting future growth of the state’s economy.

The State Government has identified a group of clusters that it will be focusing on in order to create sustainable and innovative industries. These include tourism, manufacturing, oil and  gas, biotechnology, communications, content, infrastructure and emerging technologies.

The tourism cluster presents a huge opportunity for investment in the industry. This cluster include   Urban, Eco and Island Tourisms as well 202 new or existing products which provide potential to grow exponentially with time. Meanwhile, the manufacturing sector has its sights set in two different areas: maritime or marine-based industries which cover shipbuilding/maintenance   repair and overhaul as well wood-based manufacturing needs for future development opportunities. With the focus towards onshore and offshore activities, the oil and gas industry spans a wide array of opportunities from extraction to distribution.

The biotechnology industry on the other hand focuses on producing products from renewable waste, agriculture and aquaculture projects while at the same time strengthening  supply chains in bio-technology through Bio Medical goods for pharmaceuticals or wellness purposes. Terengganu States’ goal is not just to become a hub for trade, but also educational  and entertainment centres with opportunities ranging from the family-oriented fun to edutainment content creation. Terengganu State is also taking advantage of Industry 4.0 to help grow and advance its economy while also making it more competitive in the international markets.

Participants can expect a comprehensive introduction to the Terengganu State’s business and investment opportunities and details on assistance and facilitation to companies and potential investors. This event is important to highlight and attract potential high-value and high-tech investment projects to the state of Terengganu from  both domestic and foreign investors,  thus creating quality employment for the local people.

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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.

About Invest Terengganu

The Invest Terengganu Unit is a division in Unit Perancang Ekonomi Negeri Terengganu that aims to resolve socio-economic issues and increase household income through new business opportunities, develop entrepreneurs, and promote economic activities across urban areas of the state. Its vision and mission is to be a major player in the country’s investment hub, working towards creating an attractive environment for investors and explore new opportunities along these lines.

For more information, please contact:

MIDA
Mr. Sukri Abu Bakar
Director, Domestic Investment Division, MIDA
Email: [email protected] | DL: + 603- 2267 3685

Invest Terengganu
Mr. Mohd Adzhar Bin Mohd Zahari
General Manager
T: +6012-693 2961

Unit Perancang Ekonomi Negeri Terengganu
Mr. Hanif Bin Sulaiman
Assistant Secretary of State, Trade, Industry,
Regional Development and Administration Wellbeing
T: +6014-8096299

MIDA Collaborates With Invest Terengganu To Highlight The State’s Investment Opportunities

Kulai, 25 August YTL Power International Berhad (‘YTL Power”), through its subsidiary, YTL Data Center Holdings Pte. Ltd. YTL DC and Sea Ltd. marked a milestone today with a ground breaking ceremony for the development of the Sea Data Center, the first phase of the 500MW YTL Green Data Center Park and a RM1.5bil investment into Johor, Malaysia. The first phase will be a Tier III certified facility equipped with best in class green power and connectivity which will be able to accommodate up to 72MW of capacity.

With YTL DC’s expertise and experience in building and managing data centers fibre infrastructure and renewable energy, the YTL Green Data Center Park will be the largest of its kind regionally, spearheading Johor’s position as a world-class data hub.

Menteri Besar of Johor, YAB Dato’ Onn Hafiz Ghazi, who officiated the event commented on how the Green Data Center Park will impact the state, “As Johor has grown exponentially over the past few years, we welcome developments such as these, particularly green and sustainable projects that will boost the state’s economy. The digital economy has thrived since the pandemic, and this project will provide employment opportunities that will attract diverse multiskilled talents to the state, making Johor attractive to foreign direct investments. Importantly, we are proud that Johor is gaining momentum in the regional data center market where YTL DC plays an important role in the value chain.”

Also present to witness the event was Ms. Lim Bee Vian, Deputy Chief Executive Officer (Investment Development) of the Malaysian Investment Development Authority ( She said, “Companies today are strongly encouraged to embrace digitalisation because such advances enable businesses to innovate and thrive in an increasingly digital world. The establishment of such data centers here will push industry aspirations further. Today’s event is a testament to Malaysia’s capability to host such projects due to our advancements in digital infrastructure and YTL DC and S ea Limited’s capabilities to drive such projects in this region.

“With the combined efforts from the Government through MyDIGITAL blueprint and the establishment of Digital Investment Office (DIO) it will allow Malaysia to realise our vision of being the digital capital of Asia, a vibrant and leading edge location for companies to meet their data management and analysis needs in a sustainable manner. As Malaysia embarks on its journey to become a smart nation, I believe that YTL DC will play a key role in building our digital infrastructure.” added Ms. Lim.

With Sea being the anchor tenant for YTL’s Data Center Green Park, the new three storey green facility will help reduce its carbon footprint and meet sustainability goals. Targeted to be completed by the first quarter of 2024, the green building will feature 24 data hall suites, M&E rooms, office space, storage, and parking facilities.

“This essentially means that YTL will be able to meet the infrastructure, power, and connectivity needs of our operations in the region, with Johor’s state government and MIDA as our key expansion partners. We are committed to investing in the growth of the digital economy in Malaysia, and in Johor in particular, and contributing to Malaysia’s Digital Economy Agenda.” said Ye Gang, Sea’s Co founder Group Chief Operating Officer.

Dato Yeoh Seok Hong, Managing Director of YTL Power added, “This marks a new phase of our partnership with Sea Ltd. We are excited to provide world-class, green infrastructure to our partners using our Group’s deep expertise in solar energy, data centers, telecommunications, construction and property development. With the overwhelming interest that we have received, it is our vision that the YTL Green Data Center Park will be the largest and most successful of its kind in Asia.”

The YTL Green Data Center Park is expected to be a catalyst of the digital infrastructure in Johor. Not only will it transform Johor’s economy by tapping into new high growth areas but it is also expected to spur the local economy by creating a conducive, productive and competitive business environment which will further improve the social well-being and quality of life for Malaysians.

Also present at the ceremony were representatives from various state and federal organizations, including the Iskandar Regional Development Authority (IRDA), Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) as well as other distinguished guests.

Earlier this April, YTL DC had announced the development of the 275 acre data center campus in Kulai, the largest data center park in Malaysia.

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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 ( to oversee and drive investments into the manufacturing and services sectors in Malaysia. Headquartered in Kua la 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, TikTok and YouTube channel.

About Sea Limited
Sea Limited (NYSE: SE) is a leading global consumer internet company founded in Singapore in 2009. Our mission is to better the lives of consumers and small businesses with technology. We operate three core businesses across digital entertainment, e-commerce, as well as digital payments and financial services, known as Garena, Shopee, and SeaMoney, respectively. Garena is a leading global online games developer and publisher. Shopee is the largest pan-regional e-commerce platform in Southeast Asia and Taiwan. SeaMoney is a leading digital payments and financial services provider in Southeast Asia.

About YTL Power International Berhad
YTL Power International Berhad (YTL Power) is an international multi-utility infrastructure group with a strong track record in developing greenfield projects and acquiring operational assets through competitive auctions. YTL Power is listed on the Main Market of Bursa Malaysia a Securities Berhad, the Malaysian stock exchange, and is active across key segments of the international utility industry. YTL Power, Malaysia’s first independent power producer, owns Wessex Water Limited, a water and sewerage provider in the United Kingdom, and YTL Power Seraya Pte Limited, owner of the electricity retailer Geneco, which has a total licensed capacity of 3,100 MW in Singapore. YTL Power has a minority stake in PT Jawa Power, the owner of a 1,220 MW coal-fired power plant in Indonesia. YTL Power is involved in communications and internet-based solutions and services through YTL Communications Sdn Bhd – the operator of the “Yes” telecommunications platform, the first telco to launch 5G services in Malaysia. YTL Power is also currently developing Brabazon, Bristol, a mixed-use residential and commercial property project in the UK.

About YTL Data Center Holdings Pte. Ltd.
YTL Data Center Holdings Pte. Ltd. (YTL DC) is the digital infrastructure subsidiary of YTL Power. Headquartered in Singapore, it enables digital technology leaders to utilise trusted infrastructure that can empower their success. The company offers data center services that enable scaling with agility and speed, delivering comprehensive customer centric solutions. For more details on YTL DC, please visit: http://ytldatacenters.com

For media enquiries, please contact:

MIDA
Ms. Rosedalina Ramlan
Director, Business Services and Regional Operations Division, MIDA
Email: [email protected] | DL: 603-2267 3515

SEA LIMITED
Investors/analysts: [email protected]
Media: [email protected]

YTL DC
Ms. Nina Jamil
Mobile: +60123874322
Email: [email protected]

Ms. Adriana Aris
Mobile: +60183093741
Email: [email protected]

YTL Data Centers and Sea Break Ground with the RM1.5bil First Phase of the 500MW YTL Green Data Center Park in Johor

Kuala Lumpur, 15 August 2022 – The Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA) and PERODUA are gearing up through a strategic partnership to introduce the MIDA-Perodua Digital Transformation Ecosystem Programme that was held today at MIDA’s headquarters. The programme aimed to upgrade local automotive suppliers to the next level by using cutting-edge technologies and machinery and to digitalise their manufacturing processes through adoption of Industry 4.0.

“Local companies play a major role in building the nation’s industry ecosystem–geared to support large companies and MNCs. The initiation of the MIDA-PERODUA collaboration in 2020 was crucial to ensure a steady development of our local player’s capabilities in the automotive industry. Under MIDA’s initiative to facilitate these companies to adopt digitalisation and Industry 4.0, we have been successful to contributing immense growth in PERODUA’s manufacturing volume, through the empowerment of its industry partners and service providers.” said Datuk Arham Abdul Rahman, Chief Executive Officer of MIDA.

“The Government has undertaken concerted efforts to review existing policies and recalibrate investment strategies to ensure that Malaysian business environment remains conducive to global investors. The Government has also been persistently undertaking efforts to promote and facilitate local companies to scale up and accelerate their adoption of smart manufacturing and Industry 4.0 technology through various incentives and facilities.” added Datuk Arham.

For 2022, MIDA continued its initiatives through domestic investment seminars, engagement with national associations and chambers of commerce, industry linkage/supply chain programmes and domestic investment coordination platform commitments. MIDA will endure to coordinate business-matching sessions between anchor companies and potential local suppliers/providers within specific industries, from networking arrangements for companies and potential funders and technology providers. As of 30 June 2022, 238 Malaysian-owned companies were approved with business grants valued at RM138.5 million. The recipients were SMEs from labour-intensive industries such as plastics, wood, furniture and textiles, while the rest were from services-related industries.

Meanwhile Dato’ Sri Zainal Abidin Ahmad, PERODUA President and Chief Executive Officer said “The MIDA-PERODUA Digital Transformation Ecosystem Programme is aligned with the Government’s efforts to enhance local technology ecosystem development activities in terms of supply and value chains, research and development activities, and innovation and commercialisation.

The programme has shown a promising sign as the first group of participants had implemented their proposed projects. This event is to showcase the first group’s progress as well as to welcome the second group into the project as they too have presented feasible Industry 4.0 ideas to be implemented within their operations.”

He added “the implementation of Industry 4.0 is not only for the automotive supplier’s benefit, but the impact of this programme will contribute greatly to the national’s digital transformation agenda. The programme also can fast track Malaysia’s industries, from small to large, as it provides both funds and guidance. PERODUA’s role has always been to develop the automotive ecosystem and this programme is another example of our commitment towards this objective.”

The first phase of MIDA-PERODUA strategic partnership has brought forth three (3) potential PERODUA friendly partners, including LSF Technology Sdn.Bhd., J.K. Wire Harness Sdn. Bhd. and Autoliv Hirotako Safety Sdn. Bhd. These companies have also been granted Domestic Investment Strategic Fund (DISF) as part of the Government’s initiative to assist the local companies to embark into the global supply chain.

Under this similar programme, MIDA and PERODUA have identified five (5) new vendors that has shown much potential and growth opportunities. These includes Armstrong Auto Parts Sdn. Bhd., Ingress Aoi Technologies Sdn. Bhd., Namicoh Suria Sdn. Bhd., P.D. Kawamura Kako Manufacturing Sdn. Bhd. and Kumpulan Jebco (M) Sdn. Bhd.

MIDA, being the pivotal principal promotional agency of Malaysia, will be extending their support services to help more companies obtain growth in terms of productivity, talent and bridging financial and technology gaps. The agency is confident that through such facilities and empowerment measures, these automotive players will be able to increase their business offerings and expertise to innovate its products and services and climb the supply chain ecosystems.

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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, TikTok and YouTube channel.

About PERODUA
Established in 1993, Perodua is Malaysia’s Leading compact car maker. The company designs car for local lifestyles and builds them to meet industry-leading quality standards. To learn more about the Perodua driving experience, please visit www.perodua.com.my.

Media contacts:

MIDA
Mr. Sukri Abu Bakar
Director, Domestic Investment Division, MIDA
Email: [email protected] | DL: + 603- 2267 3685

PERODUA
Mr. Ahmad Tamimi Omar
Manager,
Strategic Communications Department
Corporate Relations & Communications Division, Perodua
Email : [email protected] | +6019-262 0658

MIDA and PERODUA Geared Up Through Strategic Partnership in Enhancing Local Auto Suppliers to Embrace Digitalisation

Founded by local games industry pioneers, Virtuos Kuala Lumpur supports the growth of Malaysia as a regional game development hub through talent training and jobs creation

Singapore, 12 August 2022 – Virtuos, a leading global video game development company, today announced the official launch of its studio in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Virtuos Kuala Lumpur delivers full game development, engineering, and art production services to some of the world’s biggest game developers and publishers. It is part of Virtuos’ global network of studios, which has contributed to iconic games including Assassin’s Creed, Call of Duty, Demon’s Souls, Final Fantasy, Horizon Forbidden West, and Medal of Honor: Above and Beyond for Meta Quest 2.

Helmed by Mufizal Mokhtar as General Manager, Virtuos Kuala Lumpur was founded by a team that includes veteran AAA game developers with over 20 years of experience each, and who have returned home to launch the studio. The team comprises Boon Yan Toh as Studio Operations Director, Ian Ng Siong Yoong as Studio Production Director, Noorazhar Mohd Noor as Senior Lead Artist, and Johaness Reuben as Technical Art Director. Since the studio’s soft launch in early 2021, its team has grown to 90 employees.

“I am pleased to return home to build Virtuos Kuala Lumpur alongside some of my closest friends and pioneers in the industry,” said Mufizal. “We are excited to play an active part in Malaysia’s game development industry and the growth of its digital ecosystem. Thanks to the support of the Malaysian Government and our global Virtuos network, we look forward to welcoming the best talent to our multicultural team and making games better, together.”

At the forefront of Malaysia’s growing games industry

The launch of Virtuos Kuala Lumpur will be a significant addition to Malaysia’s fast-developing video games sector. In collaboration with the Malaysian government, Virtuos will focus on further expansion and the training of new talent. 

Datuk Arham Abdul Rahman, CEO of MIDA, said, “The exponential growth of the global gaming industry has been remarkable as this industry presents many opportunities and a huge potential for growth. The establishment of a Virtuos studio in Malaysia is in line with our efforts to attract creative quality investments, which contribute to a rich and diverse digital media sector and create high-value job opportunities, allowing many young talent to pursue their passion for gaming by making a global impact with fun, creative and original IP conceptualized and developed in Malaysia”.

He added, “With the global gaming revenue projected to reach USD219.90 billion in 2022, continuous technological advancements in the gaming industry are significantly leveling up the way games are created and improving the overall gaming experience for the users. MIDA will continue to play an active role in promoting the gaming industry which will contribute to a sustainable digital ecosystem and position Malaysia atop the list of digital nations. We want to assure companies such as Virtuos that Malaysia can be your home, and we stand ready to support the growth of this industry.” 

Mahadhir Aziz, CEO of MDEC, said, “MDEC would like to congratulate Virtuos on their expansion to Malaysia. As a globally-renowned video game development company, their presence is evidence of the nation’s vibrant creative digital content ecosystem, and further proof of our role as the regional hub of choice. Virtuos’ commitment towards developing digital talent and creating high-value job opportunities is aligned to the goals of Malaysia Digital. MDEC is looking forward to collaborating closely with Virtuos in supporting their future endeavours”.

Gilles Langourieux, CEO of Virtuos, said, “With the launch of Virtuos Kuala Lumpur, we are excited to contribute to Malaysia’s digitalization and growth as a regional game development hub. We have ambitions to grow our local headcount to 300 by the end of 2025, and become one of Malaysia’s top studios that deliver full-cycle game development expertise and quality projects for our partners worldwide.”

Strategically located between Virtuos’ Singapore headquarters and its largest Asian studios in China and Vietnam, Kuala Lumpur is a natural expansion for Virtuos worldwide. The expansion also builds upon Virtuos’ launches in Lyon and Montreal, as well as its acquisitions of Glass Egg in Ho Chi Minh City and Volmi in Ukraine this year.

ENDS

About Virtuos
Founded in 2004, Virtuos is a leading global video game development company headquartered in Singapore with studios across Asia, Europe, and North America. With over 3,000 full-time professionals, Virtuos specializes in game development and art production for AAA consoles, PC, and mobile titles, enabling its partners to generate additional revenues and achieve greater operational efficiency.

For over a decade, Virtuos has successfully delivered high-quality content for more than 2,000 projects and its clients include 18 of the top 20 digital entertainment companies worldwide. More information at www.virtuosgames.com.

Virtuos Kuala Lumpur is actively hiring and welcoming applicants interested in embarking on this next phase of growth with the studio. For more information, please see open positions here or contact [email protected].

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About Malaysian Investment Development Authority (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.

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About Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC)
Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC) is a government agency under the purview of the Ministry of Communications and Multimedia Malaysia entrusted to lead Malaysia’s digital economy forward. Incorporated in 1996 to oversee the development of the MSC Malaysia initiative, MDEC’s primary mandate today is to accelerate the growth of digitally-skilled Malaysians, digitally-powered businesses and digital investments in Malaysia. MDEC is focused on creating inclusive, high-quality growth through the nationwide digitalisation initiatives that are in line with the Government’s Shared Prosperity Vision 2030 and firmly establishing Malaysia as the Heart of Digital ASEAN.

#MYMDEC #HeartofDigitalASEAN #SayaDigital

To find out more about MDEC’s initiatives, please visit www.mdec.my or follow: 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MyMDEC/

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For media enquiries, please contact: 

Media contact for Virtuos
Zuhaili Marican
[email protected]
+65 8468 7182

Media contact for MIDA
Ms. Rosedalina Binti Ramlan
Director, Business Services and Regional Operations, MIDA
[email protected]
+603-2267 3515

Media contacts for MDEC
Hazel Hassan
[email protected]

Virtuos Bolsters Southeast Asian Presence With Launch Of Game Development Studio In Kuala Lumpur 

The work begins on a new facility aimed at expanding the Company’s position as a global leader in the manufacturing and assembly of cutting-edge materials in the semiconductor manufacturing equipment field.

Kedah, 9 August, 2022 — Ferrotec Holdings Corporation, a global supplier of materials, components, and precision system solutions, today announced the groundbreaking ceremony to begin construction of its new manufacturing facility at Kulim Hi-Tech Park, Kedah, facilitated by the Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA). The plant which will be undertaking electromechanical assembly and advanced material fabrication for semiconductor equipment is designed to meet customer needs while also expanding the Group’s business globally.

The ceremony was attended by YB Dato’ Wira Dr. Ku Abd Rahman bin Ku Ismail, Senior State Exco of Industrial and Investment, Science, Technology and Innovation and Higher Education; Ms. Lim Bee Vian, Deputy Chief Executive Officer (Investment Development) of MIDA; YBrs. Mr. Noor Ikhsan Bin Abdul Aziz, Chief Operating Officer of Invest Kedah; Dr. Haji Nadzman Bin Mustaffa, President of Kulim Municipal Council (MPKK); YBhg. Dato’ Mohd Sahil Zabidi, Group CEO of Kulim Technology Park Corporation Sdn. Bhd.; Mr. Eiji Miyanaga, Chief Executive Officer of Ferrotec Manufacturing Malaysia Sdn. Bhd., and Mr. He Xian Han, Group Chief Executive Officer of Ferrotec Holdings Corporation, as well as other distinguished guests.

“Today’s event is a testament of Ferrotec’s reputation as a global leader in the manufacturing and assembly industry for the past 42 years. This project does not only demonstrate Ferrotec’s confidence in Malaysia’s long-term investment propositions, but also the thriving state of the manufacturing industry in Malaysia. We aim to distinguish ourselves from our competitors based on these intangible factors – competitive business environment and cost advantages, well-developed infrastructure and the availability of technical and management talents.” said Ms. Lim Bee Vian, Deputy CEO (Investment Development) of MIDA.

Ms. Lim also emphasized that despite facing competition from the low-cost production countries, Malaysian machinery and equipment (M&E) companies continue to thrive in producing high value-added products and integrated services, supporting the needs of the MNCs’ in their effort to serve their customers better. MIDA aims to facilitate such companies by facilitating continuous investment opportunities to expand their operation capabilities to improve output quality and volume.

“Ferrotec has seen increasing demand for our products and services in Asia. With the start of construction on this new production facility in Malaysia, Ferrotec is committed to continue driving its effort to fulfill the increasing capacity demands and improved business continuity that are vital to our customers success,” said Eiji Miyanaga, Chief Executive Officer of Ferrotec Manufacturing Malaysia Sdn. Bhd..

To continue transforming the industry, the Malaysian Government encourages investors to invest in state-of-the-art technologies that can support advanced manufacturing processes across supply chains.

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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.

About Ferrotec

Founded in 1980, on a technology core of Ferrofluid magnetic liquid and Ferrofluidic® sealing products, Ferrotec Holdings Corporation (6890 TSE Standard) is a worldwide leader in the supply of materials, components, and precision system solutions for industrial businesses. Ferrotec is a diversified world-class industrial organization with a global presence in a broad array of technology driven end markets (semiconductors, automotive, biomedical applications, smart phones, LEDs and FPDs). More information about Ferrotec’s products can be found at www.ferrotec.com

For more information, please contact:

Ms. Zakiah Sajidan
Director, Machinery & Metal Technology Division, MIDA
E: [email protected]
T: +603-2267 3628

Mr. Tom McKee
Marketing Communications Manager
E: [email protected]
T: +1 (408)-964-7700

Ferrotec Holds Groundbreaking Ceremony for Its New Factory In Kedah, Malaysia

Kuala Lumpur, 8 August 2022 – OCIKUMHO, Malaysian subsidiary of South Korean poly-si producer OCI Company Ltd. and South Korea-based Kumho P&B Chemical Inc has made an announcement on their partnership to manufacture Epichlorohydrin (ECH) at Samalaju Industrial Park, Sarawak. The production that has a capacity to produce up to 100 KTPA, announced that the construction of the facility will commence in the first quarter of 2023, with test operation to start in the first quarter of the following year.

Datuk Arham Abdul Rahman, Chief Executive Officer of MIDA said “Malaysia’s chemical industry presents many possibilities for growth and development. Companies are welcomed to partner and leverage Malaysia to move up the value chain and seize new opportunities. Malaysia is fortunate to host global companies like OCIKUMHO and facilitate their journey to explore opportunities across our economic sectors. This will benefit the nation with many new business opportunities for chemical companies where it will support and strengthen the industry ecosystem in Malaysia due to ECH availability.

We are committed to positioning this industry well for the future, targeting more strategic companies and high-technology companies. MIDA sees this project, with a potential investment of more than RM760 million, as a catalyst not just in creating new job opportunities for many Malaysians, but also for the development of the country’s clean energy industry.”

The manufacturing of ECH in Malaysia will strengthen the value chain of epoxy manufacturers both in South Korea and Malaysia. ECH is a compound mainly used to produce epoxy resins. Its main applications serve the clean energy market, such as wind, solar, tidal and electricity transmission, providing corrosion protection coatings. It is also used in the industrial, automotive and packaging industries and as composites in the aerospace industry.

Moreover, with the presence of OCIKUMHO in Malaysia, it will contribute to the Malaysian export market where OCIKUMHO will be exporting 95 per cent of its product from Malaysia to various countries around the world. Using bio-based raw materials (glycerine) and tapping into electricity from a hydropower plant in Sarawak, OCIKUMHO’s plant will be the first to manufacture ECH in Malaysia. This project is anticipated to create 40 per cent job opportunities in the managerial, technical and supervisory roles.

Under the Twelfth Malaysia Plan (12MP), the chemical industry has been identified as one of the high potential growth industries due to its strong linkages to other manufacturing subsectors as well as capabilities and potential to deliver more complex and higher value-added products, as aspired by the National Investment Aspirations (NIA). The manufacturing of ECH is expected to greatly contribute towards Malaysia’s aspiration especially in enhancing industry integration and increasing the
competitiveness of the chemical industry in Malaysia.

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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 an active and dynamic organisation of over 700 employees. Headquartered in Kuala Lumpur Sentral, MIDA today 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 and Facebook.

About OCI Company Ltd.

OCI Company Ltd. is a Korean chemical producer based in Seoul. The company is a leading producer of polysilicon, a starting material for solar PV. With its growing materials horizons, the company has recently shifted its focus towards its two core capabilities: electronic materials and green chemicals. It is accelerating its efforts towards ESG management and becoming an eco-friendly materials business entity. The company’s subsidiary in Sarawak, OCIM Sdn. Bhd. owns a facility that produces 30,000 MT of polysilicon annually for the global market. The company finds the ECH joint venture between OCIM and Kumho P&B is crucial in achieving its long term ESG goals.

About Kumho P&B Chemicals., Inc

Kumho P&B Chemicals., Inc (KPB) a member of Kumho Petrochemical Group, specialises in the manufacturing and distribution of phenols, acetones, Bisphenol A (BPA), and epoxy resins, which serve diverse industrial uses such as electric and electronics, pharmaceuticals, and paints. Maintaining strong ties with leading chemical producers worldwide, KPB has adopted advanced technologies and is continuously striving to expand its global network of product production and distribution.

For more information, please contact:

MIDA
Ms. Siti Halimaton Mohd Rejab
Director, Chemical and Advanced Material Division
Email: [email protected] | Tel.: +603 2267 6701

OCIKUMHO SDN. BHD.
Name: Mr. Jeong Seong Wook
Email : [email protected] | Tel.: +60-82-422-705

OCIM and Kumho P&B Venture to Produce Epichlorohydrin (ECH) In Sarawak, The First ECH Project in Malaysia

Kuala Lumpur, 2 August 2022 – The Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA) today hosted an expert panel session to deliberate on Malaysia’s Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Agenda in line with the National Investment Aspirations (NIA). Bearing the theme ’Riding the ESG Wave’, the panel discussion highlighted the ESG adoption from global and ASEAN perspectives, the imperatives of bridging the gap in Malaysia towards the nation’s sustainable development, and facilitation measures to drive sustainable investments.

The interactive session was moderated by Mr. Patrick Tay, Partner, Economics and Policy, PwC Malaysia, and joined by panellist namely; Ms. Masni Muhammad, Executive Director, Investment Policy Advocacy (Manufacturing) of MIDA, Ms. Shanta Helena Dwarkasing, Director of Programs, United Nations Global Compact Network Malaysia and Brunei; and Mr. William Chua, Corporate Manager, Ramatex Textiles Industrial Sdn. Bhd. 

The global trends for ESG and commitments made as a nation trickles down to every sector in the country including investment facilitation. As global players move towards building a sustainable and compliant business environment, MIDA in aligning its strategies with the National Investment Aspirations (NIA), is looking to attract high-value, sustainable investment projects, be it new or expansion of existing investors in Malaysia.

Datuk Arham Abdul Rahman, Chief Executive Officer of MIDA, in delivering his welcoming remarks emphasised the importance of driving ESG and ensuring high standard of ESG practices in the investment journey. “Companies are encouraged to embrace ESG elements because they are an increasingly important factor in determining company valuation, investors’ and consumers’ confidence. The National Investment Aspirations (NIA), which guides MIDA’s investment strategies and initiatives, was developed to align with ESG principles and Sustainable Development Goals (SDG). Companies are encouraged to invest in harnessing renewable energy (RE) sources, including solar, biomass, biogas, and mini-hydro, to use energy efficiency (EE) equipment and qualifying green services.”

Commenting on ESG from a global perspective, Ms. Shanta Helena Dwarkasing, Director, Programms, United Nations Global Compact Network Malaysia and Brunei said, “Sustainability is imperative to a country that wants to be globally competitive and attractive. Many European and ASEAN countries showed their commitment to climate pledges with proactive measures, as ESG will be a value add that investors are looking for. Hence, we can expect Malaysia, especially with more companies such as SMEs embracing ESG standards while making its journey.”

The panel session was designed to ensure the conversations on ESG evolve locally to match the changes taking place globally, following the COP26 held in Europe in 2021. Malaysia as a member of the COP26 delivered on its mandates during its participation and in line with global sentiments. It is crucial to create awareness about ESG while engaging with companies to take the necessary measures towards adopting ESG practices. Companies need to place great emphasis on ESG practices in order to remain relevant in the industry. 

Ms. Masni Muhammad, Executive Director, Investment Policy Advocacy (Manufacturing) of MIDA, further reiterated, “Organisations are expected to have business strategies that are compatible and be able to contribute to sustainable development goals (SDG). Programmes, initiatives and legislations on human rights and environmental protection globally such as Withhold Release Orders (WRO) by the United States Customs Border Protection, and Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism by the European Union will have a direct impact on Malaysian companies exporting to these markets. Hence, businesses must begin evaluating their operations and the value chain to ensure compliance with ESG principles.”

During the session, Mr. William Chua, Corporate Manager, Ramatex Textiles Industrial Sdn. Bhd., a textile manufacturer based in Batu Pahat, Johor that produces garments and textile for international brands shared their ESG journey and how it has benefited the company.

He commented, “We embarked on the ESG journey way back in 2011, and we are extremely pleased with our decision. Over the years, we have invested a total of RM350 million by adopting the relevant technologies to practice ESG for sustainability. We have re-engineered our efforts to be energy efficient and are experiencing great savings while contributing to the reduction of carbon emission footprint. Ramatex is committed to ESG obligations and will continue to invest in ESG practices in order to meet global supply chain demand.”

MIDA will continue to facilitate purpose-driven companies in building sustainable supply chains, taking actionable initiatives for net zero commitments, empowering talent management, and ESG reporting to the mainstream. While commitment and roadmaps have been drawn through the likes of the Twelfth Malaysia Plan, Budget 2022, IR 4.0 efforts, and Green Technology efforts, MIDA will pursue its engagement with existing investors, both local and foreign to encourage them to adopt and implement ESG practices.

From January to March 2022, the government, through MIDA, has successfully approved 212 green technology projects and services activities amounting to RM433 million. Companies are encouraged to continue embarking the green investments in the country by exploring the sustainable investment opportunities in the green technology areas i.e. renewable energy (RE) sources which includes solar, biomass, biogas, mini-hydro, and other green technology qualifying activities such as energy efficiency (EE), green building, green data centre and integrated waste management.

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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 Malaysia’s manufacturing and services sectors. 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 channels.

Media Enquiries:
Ms. Fatmah Ahmad
Director, Corporate Communications Division, MIDA
Email:[email protected] | T: +603 2267 2428

Driving Sustainable Investments to Accelerate Socio Economic Transformation

Penang, Malaysia – August 1, 2022 – Jabil, a global manufacturing solutions provider, recently hosted an “Automation and Digitalisation Workshop” in Penang designed to strengthen its automation capabilities for greater operational and resource efficiencies.

The event, held at its Batu Kawan facility, showcased the benefits of automation and machine self-optimisation in augmenting human labour, thus driving manufacturing productivity. It was organised in partnership with leading equipment providers and supported by the Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA).

This first-of-its-kind, two-day scenario-based workshop saw Jabil Penang project leaders submit automation and digitalisation proposals which were then put through simulations and demonstrations by equipment partners and subject matter experts. Raising awareness and building a greater appreciation of the advancements in Industry 4.0 (IR4), the application-based approach enabled interactive knowledge exchange sessions that produced action plans for potential future developments.

Datuk Arham Abdul Rahman, Chief Executive Officer of MIDA applauded Jabil Penang’s efforts and contribution to accelerating automation and digitalisation initiatives through its partnership with local vendors in Malaysia.

“Following Jabil’s lead, I hope to see more collaborations, within and across industries, to fully harness the potential of technology in optimising their operations. The digital economy is expected to contribute 22.6 per cent of Malaysia’s gross domestic product (GDP) and create over 500,000 jobs by 2025. Through innovations and contributions in the areas of IR4.0 technologies like artificial intelligence, robotics, virtual reality, the Internet of Things, and big data analytics, the manufacturing sector plays an empowering role in building a digitally driven, high-income nation and a regional leader in the digital economy,” said Datuk Arham.

Future-ready workforce is critical to building connected factories of the future

“Jabil Penang’s digital transformation journey began in May 2019. While automation and digitalisation enable Jabil to unlock new potential in the areas of operational excellence, people or human labour continues to be a critical element in our ability to deliver the most progressive factories. With proper upskilling, development, and training programs, our trained and certified automation engineers and technicians will continue to give us the edge in technical competencies, so we may deliver differentiated customer, supplier, and employee experiences,” said Tan Siew Jin, Managing Director, Jabil Penang.

Automation and digitalisation to offer multiplier-effect in operational excellence

The pandemic has created a community of engineering and operations leaders who are now armed with a greater understanding of modern enterprise solutions, collaboration tools, and cloud-based capabilities.

“We have seen the strengthened ability to enhance production systems and the manufacturing value chain since furthering our adoption of automation and digitalization. With a predictable operating environment where skilled talents work safely alongside machines that can learn, think, and act, I am heartened that our initiatives across manufacturing, industrial and test engineering are in line with MIDA’s push towards high-end manufacturing and services. Additionally, Jabil looks to continue playing a visible role in collaborating via public-private and academia partnerships, creating employment opportunities for Malaysians, and actively leveraging technology transfer opportunities across our global operations,” concludes Tan.

Attended by over 500 employees, the workshop focused on common process automation and digitalisation in the areas of soldering, screw fastening, transitional manual assembly, dispensing, and pick-and-place, following the recent implementation of an AutoStore solution last year.

The workshop is part of a series of curated, specialised programmes that empower the existing workforce to upskill and reskill to meet evolving market demands and establish digitally-led creative approaches to address common operational issues on the shop floor. Other initiatives include the “D2L Test Engineering” programme which trains and upskill production operators to move into technician roles.

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About Jabil

Jabil (NYSE: JBL) is a manufacturing solutions provider with over 260,000 employees across 100 locations in 30 countries. The world’s leading brands rely on Jabil’s unmatched breadth and depth of end-market experience, technical and design capabilities, manufacturing know-how, supply chain insights, and global product management expertise. Driven by a common purpose, Jabil and its people are committed to positively impacting their local community and the environment. Visit www.jabil.com to learn more.

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 Malaysia’s manufacturing and services sectors. 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, TikTok, and YouTube channels.

Media contacts:

Jabil
Ms. Suchithra Krishnan
Email: [email protected]

MIDA
Ms. Rosedalina Ramlan
Director, Business Services and Regional Operations Division, MIDA
Email: [email protected] | DL: + 603- 2267 3515

Jabil Penang Expands Automation and Digitalisation Capabilities Through a First-Of-Its-Kind Workshop

Kuala Lumpur, 18 August 2021 – The Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA) and HSBC Malaysia yesterday renewed its Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), reaffirming the strong partnership between both organisations to attract more global investments into Malaysia and to further facilitate the establishment and expansion of multinational corporations in the country.

The MOU focuses on revitalising and reforming Malaysia’s economy during and post-COVID-19 by maximising potential FDI opportunities into Malaysia, particularly in the manufacturing sector, namely the electrical and electronics, chemical, machinery and equipment, aerospace and medical devices industries. Despite the pandemic, these industries continue to play a critical role in propelling Malaysia towards strategic diversification to increase competitiveness, by focusing on complex, knowledge-intensive and high-end products and services.

Mr. Arham Abdul Rahman, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of MIDA remarked: “This MOU echoes our National Investment Aspirations (NIA) framework to entice more higher quality investments, particularly in the areas of technology and innovation. Malaysia is, and will continue to be, a strategic business partner to businesses within ASEAN and beyond.  We boast of a robust pool of talent and a well-diversified economy resting on the back of strong economic fundamentals. Moreover, Malaysia’s established local supply chain that is well-integrated into the global value chain, supported by a strong and matured local engineering support industry, are an undeniable pull factors for investors seeking to expand their production capacity efficiently and with ease.”

“This renewal of partnership with HSBC Malaysia signals MIDA’s prevailing commitment to better assist our investors and provide a stronger support as we weather the current pandemic wave. HSBC’s vast expertise in cross-border trade and investment will continue to be an invaluable addition to MIDA’s stakeholders to make well-informed investment decisions while conducting their businesses across various markets. This will ultimately enable a continuous sustainable stream of quality investment activities in the country,” Mr. Arham shared.  

Mr. Stuart Milne, CEO of HSBC Malaysia said: “For more than 130 years, HSBC has played a pivotal role in Malaysia’s growth and development. Our history in Malaysia goes back to the very start of banking in this region. Then, as now, our role has been to foster the development of trade and investment between Malaysia and the wider world. As such, we value this significant partnership between HSBC and MIDA. Both organisations first stamped our long term partnership in 2016 showcasing the trust that MIDA places in HSBC as among the leading international banks in Malaysia.”

“As the impact of the pandemic continues to be felt across the globe and as businesses look to recover from the universal economic slowdown, we continue to remain committed to the nation’s agenda to make Malaysia a preferred destination for investment in Asia. With our international footprint, and access to key markets globally, we are eager to collaborate with MIDA on nation-building programmes to capture growth opportunities. We look forward to our enhanced partnership and exemplary collaborative accomplishments connecting global investors to MIDA,” added Mr. Milne. 

This strategic public-private partnership will leverage on MIDA’s marketing and trade exchange initiatives, such as trade and investment missions, while capitalising on HSBC’s global presence with access to more than 90 per cent of global GDP through trade and capital flows as well as connectivity to global corporate customers in more than 60 countries.

With these combined capabilities, HSBC and MIDA will be holding virtual roadshows, joint seminars, conferences and round-table discussions. In 2020, several virtual investment roundtable meetings in key markets such as Netherlands, Germany, China, ASEAN and Europe took place to explore and assist companies in these countries to invest in Malaysia.

HSBC will work with MIDA to provide banking and finance services including FDI Advisory to companies venturing into Malaysia. In addition, HSBC is keen to connect with MIDA’s local and oversea offices, to be among the ecosystem partners in active markets such as Netherlands, Germany, China, ASEAN, Japan, USA and UK in disseminating information on FDI opportunities into Malaysia.

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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 HSBC Malaysia

HSBC’s presence in Malaysia dates back to 1884 when the Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited established its first office in the country on the island of Penang, with the permission to issue currency notes. HSBC Bank Malaysia Berhad was locally incorporated in 1984 and is a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited, founding member of the HSBC Group. In 2007, HSBC Bank Malaysia was the first foreign bank to be awarded an Islamic banking subsidiary licence in Malaysia, namely HSBC Amanah Malaysia Berhad. HSBC Malaysia offers a comprehensive range of banking and financial services including Islamic financial solutions. HSBC Malaysia has also led innovation in Malaysia by introducing Malaysia’s first ATM and Electronic Touch Banking in the early 1980s. Today, HSBC Malaysia has launched innovative solutions such as HSBCnet for secure banking for businesses, Trade Transaction Tracker and Facial Recognition on supported mobile phones.

For media enquiries please contact:

Manjit Kaur (Ms.)

Email: [email protected] | DL: +603-2267 3509

Joanne Wong (Ms.)

Email: [email protected] | DL: +603 2075 6169         

MIDA And HSBC Malaysia Renew Partnership To Attract More Global Investments Into Malaysia

Launch of Malaysia, Heart Of Digital ASEAN (MHODA) Portal, a Single Window To Facilitate Digital Investments into Malaysia

KUALA LUMPUR, 2 August 2021: YB Dato’ Sri Mustapa bin Mohamed, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Economy), today launched Malaysia, Heart of Digital ASEAN (MHODA) portal, a single platform to attract and facilitate digital investments into Malaysia.

Its announcement in conjunction with Malaysia Tech Month 2021 is set to boost the month-long virtual event of electrifying digital and technology programmes and promotions.

The MHODA portal was designed under the establishment of Digital Investment Office (DIO) to coordinate, assess and evaluate digital investment projects, while providing end-to-end facilitation to investors. DIO will also put forward future-ready policies and guides on talent requirements, digital infrastructure networks and address operational issues faced by businesses during the current pandemic and beyond.

YB Dato’ Sri Mustapa bin Mohamed expressed, “I am confident that the DIO through the MHODA platform will ensure a quicker and more streamlined process for digital investment applications, as investors need not have to navigate multiple channels or IPAs, to secure their investments in Malaysia. The Government entrusts MIDA and MDEC to lead the DIO as both are cognizant of policy guidelines and committed to hand-hold investors to grow their high-quality digital investments in this region.”

Since its inception on 22 April 2021, both agencies have committed to welcome quality digital projects, in line with the Government’s aspiration to attract RM70 billion worth of investments by 2025 and to elevate the contribution of digital economy to Malaysia’s GDP from the current 19.1 percent to 22.6 percent.

Mr. Arham Abdul Rahman, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of MIDA, assured that “the branding of Malaysia as the Heart of Digital ASEAN serves the purpose of this single digital investment interface in allowing us to make swift decisions in handling investors’ needs and assuring investors to firm-up investment plans, and proceed on the project implementation. Providing a cohesive and supportive ecosystem in an efficient operating environment is imperative to entice quality investments into Malaysia. DIO will serve to strengthen Malaysia’s capabilities and the nation’s competitiveness as an ideal business location for companies in the digital space.”

Mr. Arham also highlighted that the DIO initiative will further solidify Malaysia’s aim to reinvigorate the national agenda to enhance competitiveness as formulated in the National Investment Aspirations (NIA) which focus on coherence and cohesiveness across all national policy initiatives relating to investment, including the New Industrial Masterplan and the 12th Malaysia Plan. “We are convinced that DIO, through its MHODA platform is a stepping-stone towards the country’s digital evolution, especially in transforming the new and existing economic clusters through digital enablers, high income job creations and digital upskilling of the local workforce and businesses,” he added.

Ms. Surina Shukri, CEO of MDEC reiterates “The DIO will operate as a single window for all investors in the digital economy, and in the role, it can establish a centralised data and reporting platform to capture a holistic view of digital investments and evaluate any interventions that may be required.”

“Through this DIO online platform, investors will find it convenient to submit their investment interest through a single-entry point, easing entry and facilitation and enabling quality digital investment opportunities in line with the goals of MyDIGITAL. This also builds upon Malaysia’s aspiration to position itself as a Digital Hub in the region, while accelerating the growth of digital investments will indirectly develop more highly skilled professionals and nurture our digital global champions. This is in line with our agenda towards Malaysia 5.0, enabling a nation that is deeply integrated with technology, providing equitable digital opportunities to the people and businesses,” she added.

Playing its role as a single site in promoting Malaysia’s digital landscape, MHODA can be accessed through www.heartofdigitalasean.my as well as MIDA’s official website.

Businesses are welcome to discover new perspectives on domestic and global trends in the artificial intelligence, drone tech, data analytics, fintech and digital workforce in the ongoing Malaysia Tech Month 2021.

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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 MDEC

Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC) is the agency under the Ministry of Communications and Multimedia Malaysia leading the nation’s digital transformation for 25 years. MDEC’s agenda is Malaysia 5.0, enabling a nation deeply integrated with technology, providing equitable digital opportunities to the people and businesses. In order to achieve this, we will focus on four key DIGITAL thrusts, New skills, Adoption, Disruptors and Investments. This forms the basis of our NADI Digital brand campaign that will drive our core programmes for the rakyat, business and investors.  MDEC’s aim is for Malaysia to become a globally competitive digital nation, anchored on inclusivity, sustainability and shared prosperity, firmly establishing Malaysia as the Heart of Digital ASEAN. 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

#Malaysia5.0 #NadiDigital #SayaDigital #MHODA #MyMDEC

For more information, please contact:

Business Services and Regional Operations, MIDA
Ms. Rosedalina Ramlan
Email : [email protected] | DL: +603-2267 3515

Digital Investment Division, MDEC
Mr. Razif Abdul Aziz
Email : [email protected] | DL: +603-8315 3111

MIDA Amalgamates with MDEC On Digital Investment Office (DIO)

Kuala Lumpur, 16 August 2019 – “Despite the challenging global economic landscape and more intense competition, Malaysia continued to sustain its investment growth momentum in the first half of 2019 (1H2019),” said YB Datuk Darell Leiking, Minister of International Trade and Industry (MITI).

Malaysia recorded a total of RM92.0 billion of approved investments in the services, manufacturing and primary sectors for 1H2019, a modest increase of 7.6% compared with RM85.5 billion for the same period last year. These investments involved 2,554 projects and will create 59,542 employment opportunities in the country.

The services sector accounted for the largest share of the total with investments amounted to RM55.0 billion or 59.8%, followed by the manufacturing sector with RM33.1 billion (36.0%) and primary sector with
RM3.9 billion (4.2%).

“In 1H2019, foreign investments in the manufacturing, services and primary sectors increased by 97.2% to RM49.5 billion from RM25.1 billion recorded in the first half of 2018. Domestic investments approved in 1H2019 amounted to RM42.5 billion, contributing 46.2% to the total. This illustrates Malaysia competitive and comparative advantages in attracting investments amid mounting global market uncertainties and trade war tensions,” said YB Datuk Darell.

Services Sector

A total of 2,150 services projects were approved in 1H2019. These projects are expected to create more than 28,650 job opportunities. The real estate sub-sector remains as the largest contributor with RM18.5 billion despite a decline of 35.1% from 1H2018. However, the global establishment, distributive trade, utilities and the hotel and tourism sub-sectors have all recorded increases during the period, accounting for 54.4% of total approved investments in the services sector. The distributive sub-sector, in particular, recorded a significant rise of 277.8% to RM10.2 billion from RM2.7 billion in 1H2018 for the period of January to June 2019.

Domestic investments made up the larger portion, recording RM32.6 billion or 59.3% of the total approved investments for the sector during this period while the remainder, RM22.4 billion were from foreign sources.

A notable services project approved in 1H2019 is the large scale solar (LSS) expansion project to be undertaken by TNB Bukit Selambau Solarin Bukit Selambau, Kedah. The LSS project with a capacity of 30 MWAC will provide renewable energy (RE) totalling 1,700MW by the year 2025. This is in line with the Government’s target of achieving 20 per cent of the country’s electricity to be generated from renewable sources by 2030.

Manufacturing Sector

The positive investment growth of 1H2019 was driven by the robust performance of the manufacturing sector that soared by 74.2% compared to 1H2018. Malaysia’s manufacturing sector recorded approved investments of RM33.1 billion from 366 manufacturing projects for the first half of 2019 as compared to RM19.0 billion from 288 manufacturing projects in the same period last year. Majority of the investments, 75.8% or RM25.1 billion were from foreign investments and the remaining 24.2% or RM8 billion were from domestic sources.

The approved manufacturing projects will create 30,449 job opportunities the largest potential employer in the economy. The jobs created include 1,829 electrical and electronics engineers, 896 mechanical engineers and 211 chemical engineers. In addition, the projects will also require about 2,886 skilled craftsmen such as plant maintenance supervisors, tools and die makers, machinists, IT personnel, quality controllers, electricians and welders.

The top foreign sources were from the United States of America (USA) with investments of RM11.7 billion, followed by China (RM4.8 billion), Singapore (RM3.1 billion), Japan (RM2.1 billion) and the British Virgin Islands (RM1.4 billion). These five countries jointly accounted for 92.0% of total foreign investments approved in the manufacturing sector for this period.

“The expansion project of Longi Technology (Kuching) from China is amongst the notable high technology project approved from January to June 2019. The company is expanding its capacity to produce monocrystalline solar cell to meet demand in overseas markets. Other approved projects include a new project from Advance Energy Industries and expansion projects by On Semiconductors and Plexus Manufacturing. These three companies are from the USA,” added YB MITI Minister.

“Malaysia has vast potentials to collaborate with foreign companies and benefit through the transfer of technologies and expertise that cut across many industries. The Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI) through MIDA continues to encourage local sourcing by foreign companies.

We want to see more local companies to be part of the global value chain,” said YB MITI Minister.

As the Government is drafting the 12^th Malaysian Plan, the contribution of the catalytic and high growth subsectors namely electrical & electronics, chemical & chemical products, machinery & equipment, medical devices and aerospace emphasised under the 11th Malaysia Plan Mid-Term Review cannot be denied. In 1H2019, these sectors contributed RM19.1 billion or 57.7% of total approved investments in the manufacturing sector through 131 approved project. Once implemented, these projects will potentially create 16,732 job opportunities and further energise the development of the overall manufacturing sector.

Malaysia has consistently pursued more capital intensive projects: moving away from labour-intensive projects to high-skilled and technologically advanced projects that support the sustainable development agenda of the nation. The capital intensity, measured by capital investment per employee (CIPE) ratio of projects approved within the sector increased toRM1,088,715 in January to June 2019 from RM837,862in the same period last year.

By value of investments, Pulau Pinang (RM9.2 billion), Kedah (RM7.7 billion), Selangor (RM6.0 billion), Johor (RM4.0 billion) and Perak (RM1.7 billion) accounted for 86.4% of the total approved investments in the manufacturing sector.

Primary Sector

The primary sector contributed RM3.9 billion or 4.2% to the total approved projects in the first half of 2019. The mining subsector continued to lead with approved investments of RM3.6 billion, followed by plantation and commodities with RM257.3 million and agriculture with RM48.6 million. These investments are expected to create 443 job opportunities.

The agriculture sector illustrated a modest growth of 25.6% to RM48.6 million during 1H2019 from RM38.7 million during 1H2018 driven by approved investments in crops-related agriculture project.

Conclusion

“Malaysia is striving to keep the nation’s deficit, inflation and unemployment low while putting in place policies that are pro-business. The Government is investing in human capital, technology and infrastructure and focusing on sharpening the countries competitive edge. Coupled with strategic promotions to welcome quality investments that will contribute to enhancing the country’s technological capabilities, develop the local supply chain and increase the country’s export revenue, Malaysia’s 1H2019 investment performance is the testament of the Government’s commitment to remain pro-business with prudent and pragmatic policies to ensure a conducive environment for businesses to thrive,” said YB Datuk Darell Leiking.

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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. 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 and Facebook, @OfficialMIDA.

Malaysia Continues to Attract Business Interest

Foreign Investments in the Manufacturing, Services and Primary Sectors Increase by 97.2%

Kuala Lumpur, 16 August 2019 – “Despite the challenging global economic landscape and more intense competition, Malaysia continued to sustain its investment growth momentum in the first half of 2019 (1H2019),” said YB Datuk Darell Leiking, Minister of International Trade and Industry (MITI).

Malaysia recorded a total of RM92.0 billion of approved investments in the services, manufacturing and primary sectors for 1H2019, a modest increase of 7.6% compared with RM85.5 billion for the same period last year. These investments involved 2,554 projects and will create 59,542 employment opportunities in the country.

The services sector accounted for the largest share of the total with investments amounted to RM55.0 billion or 59.8%, followed by the manufacturing sector with RM33.1 billion (36.0%) and primary sector with RM3.9 billion (4.2%).

“In 1H2019, foreign investments in the manufacturing, services and primary sectors increased by 97.2% to RM49.5 billion from RM25.1 billion recorded in the first half of 2018. Domestic investments approved in 1H2019 amounted to RM42.5 billion, contributing 46.2% to the total. This illustrates Malaysia competitive and comparative advantages in attracting investments amid mounting global market uncertainties and trade war tensions,” said YB Datuk Darell.

Services Sector

A total of 2,150 services projects were approved in 1H2019. These projects are expected to create more than 28,650 job opportunities. The real estate sub-sector remains as the largest contributor with RM18.5 billion despite a decline of 35.1% from 1H2018. However, the global establishment, distributive trade, utilities and the hotel and tourism sub-sectors have all recorded increases during the period, accounting for 54.4% of total approved investments in the services sector. The distributive sub-sector, in particular, recorded a significant rise of 277.8% to RM10.2 billion from RM2.7 billion in 1H2018 for the period of January to June 2019.

Domestic investments made up the larger portion, recording RM32.6 billion or 59.3% of the total approved investments for the sector during this period while the remainder, RM22.4 billion were from foreign sources.

A notable services project approved in 1H2019 is the large scale solar (LSS) expansion project to be undertaken by TNB Bukit Selambau Solarin Bukit Selambau, Kedah. The LSS project with a capacity of 30 MWAC will provide renewable energy (RE) totalling 1,700MW by the year 2025. This is in line with the Government’s target of achieving 20 per cent of the country’s electricity to be generated from renewable sources by 2030.

Manufacturing Sector

The positive investment growth of 1H2019 was driven by the robust performance of the manufacturing sector that soared by 74.2% compared to 1H2018. Malaysia’s manufacturing sector recorded approved investments of RM33.1 billion from 366 manufacturing projects for the first half of 2019 as compared to RM19.0 billion from 288 manufacturing projects in the same period last year. Majority of the investments, 75.8% or RM25.1 billion were from foreign investments and the remaining 24.2% or RM8 billion were from domestic sources.

The approved manufacturing projects will create 30,449 job opportunities the largest potential employer in the economy. The jobs created include 1,829 electrical and electronics engineers, 896 mechanical engineers and 211 chemical engineers. In addition, the projects will also require about 2,886 skilled craftsmen such as plant maintenance supervisors, tools and die makers, machinists, IT personnel, quality controllers, electricians and welders.

The top foreign sources were from the United States of America (USA) with investments of RM11.7 billion, followed by China (RM4.8 billion), Singapore (RM3.1 billion), Japan (RM2.1 billion) and the British Virgin Islands (RM1.4 billion). These five countries jointly accounted for 92.0% of total foreign investments approved in the manufacturing sector for this period.

“The expansion project of Longi Technology (Kuching) from China is amongst the notable high technology project approved from January to June 2019. The company is expanding its capacity to produce monocrystalline solar cell to meet demand in overseas markets. Other approved projects include a new project from Advance Energy Industries and expansion projects by On Semiconductors and Plexus Manufacturing. These three companies are from the USA,” added YB MITI Minister.

“Malaysia has vast potentials to collaborate with foreign companies and benefit through the transfer of technologies and expertise that cut across many industries. The Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI) through MIDA continues to encourage local sourcing by foreign companies.

We want to see more local companies to be part of the global value chain,” said YB MITI Minister.

As the Government is drafting the 12^th Malaysian Plan, the contribution of the catalytic and high growth subsectors namely electrical & electronics, chemical & chemical products, machinery & equipment, medical devices and aerospace emphasised under the 11th Malaysia Plan Mid-Term Review cannot be denied. In 1H2019, these sectors contributed RM19.1 billion or 57.7% of total approved investments in the manufacturing sector through 131 approved project. Once implemented, these projects will potentially create 16,732 job opportunities and further energise the development of the overall manufacturing sector.

Malaysia has consistently pursued more capital intensive projects: moving away from labour-intensive projects to high-skilled and technologically advanced projects that support the sustainable development agenda of the nation. The capital intensity, measured by capital investment per employee (CIPE) ratio of projects approved within the sector increased toRM1,088,715in January to June 2019 from RM837,862in the same period last year.

By value of investments, Pulau Pinang (RM9.2 billion), Kedah (RM7.7 billion), Selangor (RM6.0 billion), Johor (RM4.0 billion) and Perak (RM1.7 billion) accounted for 86.4% of the total approved investments in the manufacturing sector.

Primary Sector

The primary sector contributed RM3.9 billion or 4.2% to the total approved projects in the first half of 2019. The mining subsector continued to lead with approved investments of RM3.6 billion, followed by plantation and commodities with RM257.3 million and agriculture with RM48.6 million. These investments are expected to create 443 job opportunities.

The agriculture sector illustrated a modest growth of 25.6% to RM48.6 million during 1H2019 from RM38.7 million during 1H2018 driven by approved investments in crops-related agriculture project.

Conclusion

“Malaysia is striving to keep the nation’s deficit, inflation and unemployment low while putting in place policies that are pro-business. The Government is investing in human capital, technology and infrastructure and focusing on sharpening the countries competitive edge. Coupled with strategic promotions to welcome quality investments that will contribute to enhancing the country’s technological capabilities, develop the local supply chain and increase the country’s export revenue, Malaysia’s 1H2019 investment performance is the testament of the Government’s commitment to remain pro-business with prudent and pragmatic policies to ensure a conducive environment for businesses to thrive,” said YB Datuk Darell Leiking.

************************************

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. 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 and Facebook, @OfficialMIDA.

Posted on : 16 August 2019

Malaysia Continues to Attract Business Interest

To Meet Requirements of Industry of the Future

28 August 2018, Johor Bharu – Industrial Park developers are urged to create substantive systemic change to ensure the enhancement and redevelopment of industrial parks in Malaysia are sustainably met.

“With the Industry 4.0 being underway, there is a critical need for the park developers to develop the next generation of industrial clusters that are well equipped with the state-of-the-art facilities and infrastructure to cater to the next wave of industries.The strengthening of our manufacturing ecosystem requires real actions and sustainable progress, and we need to be vigilant about our infrastructure being put in place as there is no any other way around it,” said Y.B. Dr. Ong Kian Ming, Deputy Minister of International Trade and Industry today.

Dr Ong highlighted that even though there are more than 500 industrial parks throughout the country, majority of these parks are not able to meet investors’ requirements. “Most companies, particularly foreign investors are becoming more demanding as they require not only a good infrastructure for the manufacturing park but also the amenities within the self-contained township with eco-friendly features and of international standards,” he said.

The Deputy Minister of MITI made the call at the Industrial Park Forum for Southern Region held at Holiday Villa Hotel, Johor Bharu today. The second event of the series takes on the theme of “Strengthening the Manufacturing Ecosystem”.

Also speaking at the event, Mr. Arham Abdul Rahman, Deputy CEO of MIDA said, “Industrial parks are the key elements of infrastructure that support the growth of today’s global economy. A well-developed park can be an incubator to attract high quality investments into the country, and hence,we have to re-engineer our industrial parks to meet the demand of investors.”

“There is a great need to have a single body or authority to oversee and regulate the industrial parks and assist potential investors in identifying suitable locations to place their facilities,” he continued.

The joint event, organised by the Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA) and the Federation of Malaysian Manufacturers (FMM), was well attended by various stakeholders includingbusiness chambers, local authorities, park developers & managers, utility companies, manufacturers and potential investors.

The Forum featured a panel discussion by a broad range of speakers from UEM Sunrise Berhad, Sime Darby Property Berhad, Iskandar Halal Park, AME Development, Malaysian French Chamber of Commerce Industry, Hersheys Malaysia, i2m Ventures, Almer Malaysia, Telekom Malaysia and Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB).

It was also announced that MIDA and FMM will be publishing a Directory of Industrial Parks in Malaysia that will serve as a single reference point for investors and industry players to identify suitable locations for their facilities. The Directory, which is expected to be finalised and published after the completion of the Industrial Park Forum series will entail all available industrial parks in Malaysia, by state in terms of type, size and price to assist investors make well-informed business decisions.

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For more information, please contact:

Mr. Ahmad Tajudin Omar

Director, Domestic Investment and Supply Chain Coordination Division, MIDA

Tel.: 03-2267 3627 | Email: [email protected]

Download: 

Speech by Mr. Arham Abd. Rahman (DCEO of MIDA) _Industrial Park Forum for Southern Region

 Talking Points by YB Dr. Ong Kian Ming (DM MITI)_Industrial Park Forum for Southern Region

Industrial Parks Developers to Step up Their Game

The Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA) in collaboration with the Malaysian Indian Network of Entrepreneurs (1MINE) organised a Briefing and Networking Session to increase awareness of local companies on latest updates on government policies, incentives, facilities and support services available. The half-day seminar has brought together up to 250 participants from the value chain of the manufacturing and services sectors

2 August 2019, Kuala Lumpur – The Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA) in collaboration with the Malaysian Indian Network of Entrepreneurs (1MINE) organised a Briefing and Networking Session to increase awareness of local companies on latest updates on government policies, incentives, facilities and support services available. The half-day seminar has brought together up to 250 participants from the value chain of the manufacturing and services sectors.

The event featured presentations by various divisions of MIDA on initiatives and programmes for domestic investment, Investment Coordination Platform (ICP), High Impact Fund, Domestic Investment Strategic Fund, and Industry 4.0 Incentives including the Introduction and Readiness Assessment for Industry 4.

According to Mr. Sivasuriyamoorthy Sundara Raja, Executive Director of Investment Promotion, MIDA, “The Government has adopted proactive economic measures to assist and facilitate Malaysian businesses in these challenging economic times. Today’s engagement is part of our outreach programmes to assist domestic companies in becoming regional or global champions. We believe there is much room for existing companies in Malaysia to expand or diversify, particularly in high value-added, high technology, knowledge-intensive and innovation-based activities. On MIDA’s part as the country’s principal investment promotion agency, we will continue to work closely with all stakeholders to ensure that we sustain a conducive business environment for businesses to grow.”

“We want our SMEs to look beyond Malaysia’s market and become regional or global champions. So far, the majority of SMEs, despite making up 98.5 per cent of the country’s businesses cater only to the local market. With the presence of digital platforms, the market has become borderless. ASEAN market alone consists of a population base of 650 million, which we can tap on,” added Mr. S. Siva.

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ABOUT MIDA

MIDA is Malaysia’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. 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 and Facebook, @OfficialMIDA.

For more information, please contact:

Mr. Sikh Shamsul Ibrahim Sikh Abdul Majid

Director, Domestic Investment and Supply Chain Coordination Division, MIDA

Tel.: 03-2267 6633 | Email: [email protected]

Download:

Talking Points for Executive Director, Investment Promotion of MIDA_1Mine Briefing Session

Spearheading Nation’s Investment Agenda

Industry4WRD_National Policy on Industry 4.0 and Readiness Assessment

Domestic Investment & Supply Chain Coordination Division

Investment Incentives Portal

Post Licensing & Post Incentive

High Impact Fund, DISF & Industry 4.0 Incentive

Industry Talent Management & Expatriate Division

MIDA Collaborates With 1MINE to Increase Awareness on Government Policies and Facilities

“Selangor is indeed one of the most preferred investment locations for manufacturing activities. Continued interest by investors had enabled Selangor to register a remarkable level of reinvestments by local and foreign companies, whereby reinvestments in the manufacturing sector constituted 40.3% of total investments in the sector for the state.The strong presence of MNCs and Large Local Corporations (LLCs) in the State such as Spirit AeroSystems, Nestle, IKEA, Panasonic, Q-Cells, KL-Kepong Oleomas, Nippon Electric Glass, Perodua Global Manufacturing, Proton, Top Glove and Hartalega hold much promise for business collaborations and opportunities,” said Mr Arham Abdul Rahman, Deputy Chief Executive Officer (DCEO) of Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA) during the ninth briefing of MIDA Invest Series: Unfolding States’ Business Potential held today at the MIDA Headquarters

Strong Presence of MNCs and LLCs in Selangor Hold Many Opportunities for Business Collaborations

“It is more crucial now than ever for companies to reassess and realign their business strategies to adapt to the current challenges of doing business. Intensifying innovation through strategic collaborations in R&D activities is one of the critical components that would enable businesses to remain competitive and sustainable,” said Dato’ Azman Mahmud, Chief Executive Officer of the Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA) at the Innovation Pitch & Business Matching (IPBM) 2019 this morning in MIDA Sentral

Companies to Intensify Innovation through Strategic Collaborations in R&D Activities to Remain Competitive and Sustainable

“In the first half of this year, Selangor recorded RM5.9 billion of total approved investment in the manufacturing sector, 90.3% higher compared with RM3.1 billion, approved in the same period last year. Of this, RM3.8 billion were from foreign investments, representing 64 per cent of Selangor’s total approved investments in the manufacturing sector for the period of January to June 2019,” said YB Dr Ong Kian Ming, Deputy Minister of International Trade and Industry (MITI) at the Selangor Investment Seminar 2019, today. The event was organised by the Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA) in collaboration with MITI and Invest Selangor Berhad

22 August 2019, Subang – “In the first half of this year, Selangor recorded RM5.9 billion of total approved investment in the manufacturing sector, 90.3% higher compared with RM3.1 billion, approved in the same period last year. Of this, RM3.8 billion were from foreign investments, representing 64 per cent of Selangor’s total approved investments in the manufacturing sector for the period of January to June 2019,” said YB Dr Ong Kian Ming, Deputy Minister of International Trade and Industry (MITI) at the Selangor Investment Seminar 2019, today. The event was organised by the Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA) in collaboration with MITI and Invest Selangor Berhad.

YB Dr Ong highlighted that a combination of an effective policy framework, a well-developed infrastructure and the provision of education and skills training were among the key instruments that provided a conducive framework to attract investments into the State. “Continued interest by investors had enabled Selangor to register a remarkable level of reinvestments by local and foreign companies. As at June 2019, 3,381 or 36.9% of Selangor’s manufacturing projects approved were in expansion or diversification activities,” he said.

The Deputy Minister of MITI urged companies to stay abreast with technological changes. He said, “I understand that most companies, especially the SMEs, are cautiously optimistic in adopting new technologies as it requires additional investment. However, with the rapid pace of technological changes happening around us, local businesses have to act now or risk being left behind. To stay relevant, companies should be investing in three areas namely automation, skilled talent and upskilling as well as innovation.”

In early August, MIDA had successfully organised the MIDA Invest Series: Unfolding Selangor’s Business Potential at MIDA HQ and received an overwhelming response from the business community. The momentum continued with the attendance of more than 500 participants in the Selangor Investment Seminar 2019 held today.

The Seminar featured a presentation by Dato’ Hasan Azhari, CEO of Invest Selangor, followed by breakout sessions on the transformation towards automation technology, talent development, funding and financial assistance, and market access. The event also featured a sharing session from Spirit Aerosystems Malaysia and Kawan Food Manufacturing who have benefited from the assistance and facilitation provided by the Government.

The moderators and speakers involved were from Invest Selangor, FMM, ACCEL Graphic System, Mega Fortis, SIRIM, MIMOS, MPC, Jabatan Pembangunan Kemahiran, MDV, MIDF, EXIM Bank, Standards Malaysia and officials from MIDA.

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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. 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 and Facebook, @OfficialMIDA.

For more information, please contact:

Mr. Abdul Fatah Mohamed Rafaie

Deputy Director

Domestic Investment & Supply Chain Division, MIDA

Tel.: 03 2267 3766

Email: [email protected]

Download:

Speech by DCEOI of MIDA_Invest Series-Selangor

Speech by Deputy Minister of MITI_Selangor Investment Seminar 2019

Selangor Registers RM5.9 Billion Worth Approved Manufacturing Projects for 1H2019