25 January 2018, Kuala Lumpur – “Kedah is one of the oldest states in Malaysia and has captivating history behind it. In fact, there is more to this ‘Rice Bowl State’ than just paddy fields. In term of investments, there are 1,142 manufacturing projects implemented in Kedah with total investments of RM51.28 billion as at December 2016. These projects have created over 150,000 job opportunities for the state,” said Mr. Zabidi Mahbar, Executive Director, Strategic Planning (Manufacturing) of the Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA) in his welcoming remarks at the MIDA Invest Series event held this morning. The event themed, “Unfolding States Business Potential’ took place at MIDA headquarters in collaboration with Invest Kedah.

“Despite the challenging global economic environment, Kedah has persevered by attracting additional approved investments worth RM1.29 billion in the manufacturing sectors from January to September last year, creating another 1,543 job opportunities for the state. These 26 projects were mainly in non-metallic mineral products, transport equipment, E&E, machinery and equipment, rubber products, and fabricated metal products.” he added.

There are 10 industrial parks available in Kedah, including the Kulim High Tech Park (KHTP) that has a strong presence of multinationals from the electrical and electronic industry. Total foreign direct investment in Kulim High Tech Park is currently amounted to RM42.3 billion. Among them include Intel, First Solar, Silterra, Infineon Technologies, Fuji Electrics and Osram. Osram had recently opened its new semiconductor plant in KHTP. With Osram’s state-of-the-art facility, Malaysia now has the world’s most advanced LED chip factory.

Kedah has the advantage of providing a constant supply of talents due to the availability of more than 38 higher learning institutions including universities, colleges and training institutes. Notably, the Kedah Industrial Skills & Management Development Centre collaborates with companies operating in Kedah to provide an industry ready workforce.

The government, through MIDA has established a Domestic Investment Strategic Fund (DISF) to accelerate the shift of Malaysian-owned companies in targeted industries to high value-added, high technology, knowledge-intensive and innovation-based industries. Under DISF, MIDA has approved 270 projects with investments of RM13 billion as at December 2017. For Kedah, a total of RM83.9 billion was granted for 14 manufacturing projects worth RM702.3 million.

In August 2017, YAB Datuk Seri Najib Tun Abdul Razak has launched Blueprint 2016-2025 (Blueprint 2.0) for Northern Corridor Economic Development. The blueprint aims to outline the future directions and strategies to expand growth, reduce regional imbalances and introduces bold measures for the long-term benefit of all by sustaining its growth momentum.

In the blue print, two NCER growth node projects have been identified in Kedah, namely Kedah Rubber City (KRC) and Kedah Science and Technology Park (KSTP). KRC focuses on high-value rubber and rubber based industries, whereas KSTP envisions to be a world-class centre for the promotion and commercialisation of applied scientific research and technology.

“We are optimistic that these projects will be an impetus to attract more quality investments into Kedah, particularly in the targeted sectors. With so much room available for expansion and diversification particularly in new growth areas, we look forward to more companies taking advantage of the established ecosystem and facilities that Kedah has to offer. MIDA’s office in Alor Setar is ever ready to serve the needs of investors on the ground,” said Mr. Zabidi.

MIDA Invest Series is an ongoing initiative undertaken by MIDA since early January 2018 to promote a competitive economy with equitable development among all states in Malaysia. This briefing featured a presentation by Mr. Zafir Annuar bin Ghazali, Senior General Manager of Invest Kedah on investment prospects of Kedah and its latest developments.

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For more information, please contact:

Mr. Ahmad Tajudin Omar

Director, Domestic Investment Division, MIDA

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

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Speech by Mr. Zabidi Mahbar, Executive Director Strategic Planning (Manufacturing) – Kedah Special Briefing

Slide Presentation by InvestKedah

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 10 January 2020 – United Overseas Bank Malaysia Bhd (UOB Malaysia) today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA) to attract more foreign direct investments (FDI) into high value-added sectors. These sectors, which include electrical and electronics, machinery and equipment, medical devices, aerospace, renewable energy and consumer technology, are among MIDA’s key priority sectors in promoting investments for industry development.

Under the MoU, UOB Malaysia and MIDA will work together to attract global companies that can contribute positively to the local economy through sustainable investments. This in turn will help facilitate the transfer of technology and knowledge to local companies and create opportunities to develop a highly-skilled domestic workforce.

Mr Wong Kim Choong, Chief Executive Officer, UOB Malaysia, said that Malaysia has sharpened its focus on attracting quality investments in targeted sectors that will have significant benefits for the domestic economy.

“Malaysia, with its favourable business conditions such as skilled labour force, developed infrastructure connectivity, ongoing policy reforms and government incentives, remains an attractive investment destination for global companies. In turn, global companies with sustainable investment practices will help to enhance the competitiveness of Malaysia’s domestic industries by creating more skilled jobs and deepening technology capabilities, ultimately helping in Malaysia’s progress towards a knowledge-based economy. Our collaboration with MIDA not only enables us to help more global companies seize investment opportunities in Malaysia, but also to contribute to industry development in the country,” Mr. Wong said.

To promote Malaysia as an investment destination, UOB Malaysia and MIDA will organise a series of roadshows across key focus markets such as China, ASEAN and Japan.

Mr. Arham Abdul Rahman, Deputy Chief Executive Officer I of MIDA said, “The collaboration between MIDA and UOB Malaysia complements our goal to invigorate an effective investment environment in the country. We are excited to have UOB Malaysia on board with us in promoting Malaysia’s business competitiveness and accelerate economic growth. Understanding the needs of investors, MIDA seeks to not only promote the development of industrial ecosystems but also to ensure that the enablers are in place to cater to the requirements of businesses, particularly those that are value-added, capital-intensive, knowledge-intensive and can provide quality business and job opportunities to Malaysians. This includes having easy access to the necessary financial services to help investors succeed in emerging markets like Malaysia. We trust that this partnership will result in attracting more quality investments for the country.”

Commenting about UOB Malaysia’s capabilities in facilitating cross-border business and investments, Ms Ng Wei Wei, Managing Director and Country Head of Wholesale Banking, UOB Malaysia said, “The Bank is well-equipped to support the key priority sectors under MIDA through our sector specialisation and FDI Advisory capabilities, extensive regional network and on-the-ground experience. Our capabilities and experience are ready to help foreign companies invest in Malaysia and to connect them to opportunities as the country focuses its efforts on attracting FDI into high valued-added sectors. The collaboration between UOB Malaysia and MIDA reinforces the Bank’s long-term commitment to connect companies to business and investment opportunities across Asia.”

In 2011, UOB launched its FDI Advisory services to help companies develop their entry strategies and to navigate the complexities of doing business in a new country. In addition to providing companies with access to UOB’s financial products and services, the team works closely with government agencies, trade and industry associations and professional service providers to provide comprehensive business advisory services across the region. To strengthen its support of companies expanding into Malaysia, UOB Malaysia set up a FDI Centre in 2013 which has since supported more than 250 companies to establish their business in or to invest into the country.

The Bank’s FDI Advisory team has also collaborated with other agencies such as the Iskandar Region Development Authority, the East Coast Economic Region Development Corporation and the Sarawak Corridor of Renewable Energy to position Malaysia as a key investment destination in Southeast Asia.

To find out more about UOB’s FDI Advisory services, please visit https://www.uob.com.sg/corporate/foreign-direct-investment/index.page.

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About United Overseas Bank (Malaysia) Bhd

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

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

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

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

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

About the Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA)

MIDA is the government’s principal promotion agency under the Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI) to oversee and drive investments into the manufacturing and services sectors in Malaysia. Headquartered in Kuala Lumpur Sentral, MIDA has 12 regional and 20 overseas offices. MIDA continues to be the strategic partner to businesses in seizing the opportunities arising from the technology revolution of this era. For more information, please visit www.mida.gov.my and follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.

For media queries, please contact:

UOB Malaysia

Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA)

Ms. Zalina Zainol

Director, Corporate Communications Division

03-2263 2437| [email protected] 

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Speech by DCEO I of MIDA: MIDA UOB MoU Signing Ceremony

Kuala Lumpur, 16 January 2020 – The Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA) kick-started the year 2020 with a networking event with the European (EU) chambers, associations and embassies on 14 January 2020. Forty representatives from the Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, France, Italy, Ireland, Germany, Norway, United Kingdom, The Netherlands, Russia, Sweden, Switzerland and Spain offices in Malaysia attended the event. The event was graced by Dato’ Abdul Majid Ahmad Khan, Chairman of MIDA and participated by the organisation’s management team members.

Dato’ Azman Mahmud, Chief Executive Officer of MIDA, hailed the reception as a great success for his team. “This get-together is an excellent chance for both sides to catch up on many areas, businesses, strengths, stories and opportunities in a more personal setting. This is also a way for MIDA to show our appreciation to our friends from the EU chambers, association and embassies for their continuous support in our venture to increase investments into the country. Our next networking event, which will be organised soon, will be with the chambers and associations from the Americas, Oceania and Asia Pacific region.”

As of September 2019, MIDA has approved a total of 2,366 manufacturing projects with the participation from EU countries worth RM 131.4 billion. These investments created 271,712 employment opportunities for the country. For the first nine months of 2019 alone, a total of 34 manufacturing projects with EU’s participation worth RM3.1 billion were approved, and this is expected to create 2,782 job opportunities.

Major European companies that have operations in Malaysia include ST Microelectronics, Infineon, Acerinox, Saint Gobain, Dyson Manufacturing, Novartis, Osram Opto Semiconductors, Aker Solution, and B.Braun Medical.

For 2020, MIDA will be organising a series of trade and investment (T&I) missions and working visits to Spain, Switzerland, Germany, UK and France. Also, MIDA’s T&I missions for this year will cover other countries such as Japan, the Republic of Korea, China, India, New Zealand, Saudi Arabia, U.A.E and the USA.

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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.