Istanbul, Türkiye, 30 September 2022 – MIDA’s newest office in Istanbul is set to provide Malaysia and Türkiye new economic opportunities and drive the steady growth of Malaysia-Turkiye’s bilateral trade relations. MIDA Istanbul will serve as a gateway for aspiring Turkish investors who wishes to expand their businesses in Malaysia and vice-versa. Investors will be able to gain access to the latest information on investment policies and opportunities, joint venture partnerships or technological collaborations.

The launch of the MIDA Istanbul Office was officiated by the Malaysian Senior Minister and Minister of International Trade and Industry (MITI), the Honourable Dato’ Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali. Also present at the event were MITI Secretary General, Datuk Lokman Hakim Ali; MIDA Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Datuk Wira Arham Abdul Rahman; MATRADE CEO, Datuk Mustafa Abdul Aziz; Consul General of Malaysia in Istanbul, YM Tengku Mohd. Dzaraif Raja Abdul Kadir; President of Invest in Türkiye, Mr. A. Burak Dağlıoğlu and Mr. Catagay Ozden, Head of Department South Asian Countries, Ministry of Trade, Türkiye.

Many business opportunities await Turkish investors, particularly in the fields of machinery and equipment, aerospace, ICT, digital investment, food manufacturing including the Halal segment. Over the years, many factors have enabled Malaysia to attract quality investments, which include, its unmatched connectivity and business friendly policies. Furthermore, as Malaysia is centrally located within Southeast Asia, the country serves as the prime gateway for Turkish investors to penetrate the ASEAN market. Similarly, Türkiye is also strategically located at the crossroads of Europe, Central Asia, Middle East and North Africa. Malaysian companies could consider using Türkiye as a base to tap into the large European market as well as the emerging markets of Central Asia and the Middle East.

The Honourable Dato’ Seri Mohamed Azmin remarked,“The establishment of MIDA’s office in Istanbul serves two very fundamental and critical purposes. First, it plays an instrumental role as a gateway for businesses who wish to expand their commercial interests and investment horizons in Türkiye and beyond, including adjoining regions such as the Middle East and the European Union. This will be in tandem with Malaysia’s initiative in enhancing our cross border investments. Secondly, but no less significantly, this office will act as a magnet to draw greater investments from Türkiye and the region into Malaysia, and thereby leverage our position as a springboard for expansion in the ASEAN region and beyond.“

“Hence, the opening of MIDA’s office in Istanbul is most timely in order to fully exploit the potential upside for enhanced Turkish investments in manufacturing and services, particularly in the areas of advanced manufacturing, machinery and equipment, aerospace, digital investment, ICT and food manufacturing including the Halal segment. This is in tandem with our National Investment Aspirations (NIA). I would like to underscore that our growth policy also prioritises the imperative of ensuring that SMEs ride on the value and supply chain. These initiatives will also empower companies and businesses to automate their processes, and be cost-efficient in meeting industry demands while mitigating social and environmental impacts.“ added the Honourable Dato‘ Seri Mohamed Azmin.

In terms of Türkiye’s investments in Malaysia, as of June 2022, a total of 14 manufacturing projects were approved with total investments worth RM525.2 million (USD156.3 million). Among sectors of the approved manufacturing projects include scientific and measuring equipment, textiles and textiles products, chemical and chemical products, food manufacturing; and electrical and electronics products. Four manufacturing projects with Turkish investments worth RM377.93 million (USD111.6 million) have been implemented in Malaysia.

Meanwhile, MIDA CEO, Datuk Wira Arham Abdul Rahman in his welcoming speech, said, “Apart from helping MIDA to attract new investment opportunities into Malaysia, the country is looking for new collaborations to grow together and the launch of MIDA’s office in Istanbul will help us extend our outreach programmes with trading partners of Türkiye, which includes countries like Russia, Greece, Cyprus, Azerbaijan, Georgia and the 7 “Stan” countries in Central Asia. We also aspire to promote Malaysia’s culture, warm hospitality and other diverse elements of our country to new communities and societies.”

“I am confident that opening the MIDA Istanbul Office will further enhance bilateral trade between the two countries and cross-border investments between Türkiye and Malaysia. Turkish investors who are interested in seeking joint venture partnerships or technological collaborations with Malaysian businesses, can get all the necessary information from this office.” he also added.

In applauding the strategic partnership with MIDA, Mr. A. Burak Dağlıoğlu, President of Invest in Türkiye said, “Türkiye and Malaysia are regional business hubs for their respective regions. Over the years, Malaysian companies have invested approximately USD1 billion in Türkiye. These investments are mainly in energy, finance, infrastructure and transportation, retail, and healthcare. We also see investment potentials in technology entrepreneurship and Islamic finance. With the implementation of the Free Trade Agreement in August 2015, our total trade volume has doubled to USD3.5 billion in just six years. As we have an office operating in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, we are delighted to welcome our esteemed counterpart MIDA to open its office in Istanbul, Türkiye which will enhance our collaboration and partnership. This undoubtedly will contribute to the increase bilateral trade volume and investments between the two countries.”

Companies that have benefited greatly from the existing economic relations between Malaysia and Türkiye includes:

TUSAS (Turkish Aerospace Industries) Malaysia Sdn. Bhd. currently has 20 personnel and the numbers are expanding, which will hit 100 by the end of 2022. With its Malaysian office located in Cyberview, Cyberjaya, TUSAS aims to carry out new joint projects in the aerospace industry where the first project they started was the flight control computer for HÜRKUŞ Advanced Trainer Aircraft. TUSAS has also signed an MOU with UniKL and University of Malaya, where 10 students have already completed their internship programme at the Turkish Aerospace Headquarters at Ankara, Türkiye last summer.

“We have always been in contact with MIDA and they are helpful in every situation, and we are glad that they decided to launch an office in Istanbul, Türkiye. We are certain that this office will open new avenues for collaboration between Türkiye and Malaysia.” said Prof. Dr. Temel Kotil, President and CEO of TUSAS.

Meanwhile, Evyap Sabun Malaysia Sdn. Bhd. which was incorporated in 2011, is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Türkiye-based Evyap Group, a longstanding and well-established personal care product manufacturer with a strong market presence in Türkiye, Middle East and Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) regions. Their vertically integrated oleochemicals manufacturing plant is located in Pasir Gudang, Johor Bahru.

“Evyap Group is continuing to undertake additional investments in Malaysia’s oleochemical and personal care industry, which includes specialty oleochemicals, oleic acid capacity expansion and crystal soap production line. We are also looking at potential additional investments in the region for which various options are currently being explored.” said Mehmed Evyap, Executive President of Evyap.

For the first half of 2022, Malaysia attracted a total of RM123.3 billion (USD28.0 billion) worth of approved investments in the manufacturing, services and primary sectors involving 1,714 projects for the period of January to June 2022 and is expected to create 57,771 job opportunities in the country. FDI remained the major contributor, at 70.9 per cent or RM87.4 billion (USD19.9 billion), while investments from domestic sources contributed 29.1 per cent amounting to RM35.9 billion (USD8.2 billion). With the newly launched MIDA Istanbul Office, Türkiye will no doubt contribute immensely to the socio-economic development and bring about new growth areas into Malaysia’s investment landscape.

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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.

For more information, please contact:

MIDA

Mr. Faizal Jalaludin
Director, Foreign Investment Division, MIDA
E: [email protected] I T: +603 2267 6650

Ms. Meltem Şimşek
Investment Officer, MIDA Istanbul
E: [email protected] I T: + 9 0533 638 72 64

MIDA Launches Its Istanbul Office As A Gateway For Malaysia-Turkey Crossflow Investments

Penang, Malaysia – September 29, 2022 – Scandinavian IBS Sdn. Bhd. (SIBS), a Sweden-based Industrialised Building System (IBS) and one of SIBS Group’s five companies with more than 850 employees has undertaken an expansion with an additional 15 acres of land size at their new plant located in Penang Science Park, Simpang Ampat, Penang. This expansion project is anticipated to increase the production lines to approximately to four (4) more compare to the current production line and this is driven by the huge demand for SIBS production with an investment worth of RM500 million in few phases for the next five years. The project is expected to provide an additional 1,200 employment opportunities to the locals and the opportunity to deliver to more markets and product categories. The expansion project is also expected to create an additional value of RM552 million (USD120 million) in local sourcing of raw materials and components.

The Chief Minister of Penang YAB. Tuan Chow Kon Yeow said “This project will bring in investment, strengthen the socio-economy, increase job creation as well as provide opportunities for local talents to upskill. The investment will stimulate local businesses, thus contributing significantly towards the economy of Penang by maintaining and strengthening its local supply chains.” 

“I would like to congratulate SIBS on its new facility plant which is four times the capacity of the current factory. This will also create more engineering experts in Industrialised Building System (IBS) for Penang. I am glad that the company once again have chosen Penang for the IBS expansion” he added.

Datuk Wira Arham Abdul Rahman, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA) said “SIBS’ continued expansion demonstrates Malaysia’s strong economic fundamentals such as our vibrant innovation ecosystem particularly in IBS industry, as well as our reliable infrastructure and connectivity to the region and the world. The company’s presence will also encourage the growth of local companies within the IBS industry.”

“To serve investors better, MIDA has renewed its aspirations and aligned its facilitation and support services with the National Investment Aspirations (NIA) framework, which includes the elements of high value-added, high technology, knowledge and capital intensive, skills-intensive and provision of high-income jobs. MIDA will remain committed to growing the IBS industry in collaborative efforts with our strategic investors, such as SIBS. This is a key win for Malaysia in realising our aspiration to attract high-quality investments from reputable companies all around the world” added Datuk Wira Arham.

His Excellency Dr. Joachim Bergström, Ambassador of Sweden to Malaysia, said, “Sweden is a pioneer in innovation and industry. In the last few years, we’ve seen an incredible development of new methods and materials being developed within construction that are cost effective and enhances liveability and safety. SIBS is at the forefront of the development, and it brings me great joy to see that they are expanding their operations here in Penang, bringing in the leading global solutions within its field, sharing that knowledge and providing many jobs to the local community.”

“SIBS has put Malaysia on the map as the leading hub for manufacturing related construction industry. Using technology, company has revolutionised a very conservative industry. The investment is important for Malaysia not only directly but also indirectly in the thousands of jobs created in the supply chains around the country” says Erik Thomaeus, CEO of SIBS Group.

“Malaysia is devoted to technology and companies built around technical innovation, having the world’s leading ‘Construction Tech’ company in Malaysia. This is another proof of the genuine attractiveness of Malaysia as a hub for business and innovation. Our expansion in Malaysia will be divided in phases and eventually will achieve approximately RM500 million of total investment”, he added.

The manufacturing related construction sector has been playing a significant role in the aggregate economy of the country in term of its contribution to revenue generation, capital formation and employment creation which ultimately support the gross domestic product (GDP) and the socio-economic development of Malaysia.

YB. Dato’ Haji Abdul Halim bin Haji Hussain, Penang State Executive Councillor for Trade, Industry and Entrepreneur Development attended the event representing the Chief Minister of Penang. Also, in presence were His Excellency Dr. Joachim Bergström, Ambassador of Sweden to Malaysia and Ms. Najihah Abas, Executive Director Manufacturing Development (Non-Resource) from MIDA.

The Government provides both fiscal and non-fiscal incentives to the companies undertaking the manufacturing of IBS. A special incentive has been introduced for manufacturers for adopting any of the seven recognised systems which include Precast Concrete System, Formwork System, Steel Framing System, Block Work System, Timber Framing System, Innovative System and IBS Modular System/Components Modular. For the period of 2015 to June 2022, MIDA has approved a total of 95 IBS manufacturing projects, of which, 22 were related to the IBS Modular System.

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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, Tik Tok and YouTube.

About Scandinavian IBS Sdn. Bhd. 

Scandinavian IBS Sdn. Bhd. started in 2016 and the first factory was finalized in 2018. We are the manufacturer of a Sweden-based Industrialized Building Systems. We build homes, also known as prefabricated buildings, in a controlled environment to be assembled in the residential and commercial area. Our business produces residential buildings in a steel frame modular form: living room, bathroom, stairs, everything an apartment needs in a manufacturing setting. The plan from the beginning was to build a second factory after the first factory was fully established and producing at full capacity. We reached our max production capacity in the end of 2019. Hence, we launched our plan and after many years of negotiating with Penang state we purchased the second land in the beginning of 2020 for second factory. The new factory will be approximately 2 times the size of the current with 4 times the capacity. 

SIBS invest in a second factory to increase production capacity to meet the large demand from the market. We aim to present the full investment case to secure the financing of the land, construction, process machinery and increased working capital requirements. The second factory will provide an additional production capacity of around 4,000 apartments a year. When combined with the existing factory, this will increase SIBS’ total production capacity to around 5,000 apartments a year.

Intensive work has been ongoing on the building and installation of the process equipment, developed entirely by our local engineers. The factory will be operational in the third quarter of 2022 and its completion will be marked by an opening ceremony that should be attended by up to 2,000 people.

For More Information, Please Contact:

MIDA
Ms. Rozita Ibrahim, Director
Building Technology and Lifestyle Division, MIDA
Tel: 03- 2267 3479 | Email: [email protected]

SCANDINAVIAN IBS SDN. BHD.
Name: Mr. Lawrence Chua
Director
Tel: 04-506 2940 | Email: [email protected]

Scandinavian IBS Continues To Expand Its IBS Production Line In Malaysia

Kuala Lumpur, 22 September, 2022 — The Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA) in collaboration with the Kedah State Government has successfully organised the Invest Series: Unfolding States ‘Business Potential’ – Kedah program today at Perdana Hall, MIDA Sentral, Kuala Lumpur. This programme was held to provide the business community with the latest updates on development and investment opportunities in the State of Kedah, as well as a platform for participants to  network with relevant State Government agencies.

A total of 300 participants were present at the event, covering various backgrounds such as captains of industry; business associations/organisations; senior managements from the manufacturing and services sectors; entrepreneurs; academicians; and government officials.

The programme began with a welcome address by Datuk Wira Arham Abdul Rahman, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of MIDA, followed by remarks by YB. Dato’ Wira Dr. Ku Abd Rahman Ku Ismail, Senior Kedah State Executive Council (EXCO) Member (Industry & Investment, Higher Education, Science, Technology & Innovation), who addressed the Kedah State Government’s investment aspirations  based on the Kedah Development Plan 2035.

“Despite the challenging global economic environment, Kedah has been one of the top five (5) states for investment by the business community. From January to June 2022, there were 71 approved projects in Kedah with a total investment of RM9.7 billion. More than half of these investments were from foreign sources, recording a total of RM8.9 billion. These projects will be instrumental in creating over 3,209 job opportunities.” said Datuk Wira Arham Abdul Rahman, CEO of MIDA.

Datuk Wira Arham also highlighted, “While we have seen great success in the last 50 years, we are still resilient to achieve more because we aspire to discover new markets and empower communities. Like most countries around the world, Malaysia is restrategising its industrial policies to address some of the most pressing issues in socio-economics, like sustainability. As global players move towards building a sustainable and compliant business module, MIDA is aligning its strategies with the National Investment Aspirations (NIA) and environmental, social and governance (ESG) principles to attract high-value, sustainable investment projects and collaborate with partners that are focused on “impact investing.” We want to empower the local supply chain, help companies and businesses automate their processes, and be cost-efficient in meeting industry demands while mitigating social and environmental impact. FDI and DDI performance should not be seen as an opportunity to only unlock financial returns but also improve social and environmental impact as well.”

YB. Dato’ Wira Dr. Ku Abd Rahman, in his remarks said “In Kedah, all investment-related agencies work as a team with the same purpose and objective, which is to facilitate investment and attract more investments to the State of Kedah. Kedah has experienced tremendous economic transformation from agriculture based to a manufacturing based. For the manufacturing sector, Kedah is fortunate to have the Kulim Hi-Tech Park (KHTP) as a catalyst, which is already known as one of the well-established technology parks in the world. The key success of Kedah in attracting investments to the state is due to the state government’s focus on post investment activities, which prioritises taking care of investors’ needs since their first day of operation in Kedah.”

The programme then continued with a presentation by Mr. Muhamad Mahazi, CEO of Invest Kedah Berhad who presented on the ‘Introduction of Kedah and Investment Performance; Comprehensive 5PL Logistic and Digital Network in Kedah; Investment in Manufacturing and Services Sector; and Investment in Tourism and Agriculture Sector’. He also touched  on Kedah’s  upcoming infrastructure development, talent and human resource development, and current and new growth development areas.

In addition, a Business to Business (B2B) Session with the Kedah investment team was  held to provide  platform for all participants to learn more  about the current development in Kedah and the plethora of investment opportunities it has to offer. For many years, Kedah has been proven to be a prime choice for investment .

The State Government is also actively promoting an investment destination that are attractive to investors such as Bukit Kayu Hitam Halal and Logistic Centre, Bukit Selambau Industrial Area, Gurun Industrial Area, KHTP Smart SME Park, Kulim Industrial Corridor, Northern Technocity and Padang Meha Industrial Area.

In the Southern and central part of Kedah there are new growth areas such as Kulim Hi-Tech Park expansion, Development of Pulau Bunting and Kedah Aerotropolis consisting Sidam Logistics, Aerospace & Manufacturing Hub, Kulim International Airport, North Corridor Highway (NCH).

The Kedah State Government is also very committed to developing the new growth areas in the northern region of Kedah with projects such as Kedah Rubber City, Delapan Special Economic Border Zone (Delapan SBEZ) in Bukit Kayu Hitam under the Northern Gateway Sdn. Bhd., Kedah Science and Technology Park, Bukit Kayu Hitam Halal Hub and Logistic Centre under PKNK.

In the program, the Kedah investment team was represented by its investment agencies, namely Invest Kedah Berhad (IKB), Kedah State Economic Planning Division (BPEN), Northern Corridor Implementation Authority (NCIA), Kedah State Development Corporation (KSDC), Kulim Technology Park Corporation (KTPC), KXP Airportcity Holding (KXP), Northern Gateway Sdn Bhd (NGxSB).

*****

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 Kedah

Invest Kedah Berhad (IKB) is the first window or One Stop Centre to all investments into the State of Kedah. IKB entrusted to attract, facilitate and support business investments in Kedah. IKB plays the vital role of working with government agencies and local authorities to ensure a seamless set up process for local and international investors. In year 2021, IKB helps Kedah to attract investment of RM68.3 billion which is the highest in Kedah’s investment history. Invest Kedah can be contacted online at www.investkedah.com.my.

For more information, please contact: 

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

Invest Kedah
Mr. Noor Ikhsan Bin Abdul Aziz
Chief Operating Officer, Invest Kedah
C Block, 3rd Floor,
Wisma Darul Aman,
05503 Alor Setar, Kedah
Email: [email protected] | Tel: (6) 04-702 7373 | Fax: (6) 04-702 7382

MIDA Collaborates with Kedah State Government to Highlight the State’s Investment Landscape and Its Potential

• The new plant is part of Mölnlycke’s sustainability strategic roadmap that is aimed at creating shared values for all stakeholders, including contributing significantly to Malaysia’s sustainability goals, such as energy usage reduction, economic growth and innovation in infrastructure.
• With the addition of the new plant in its pipeline, Mölnlycke is set to create about 400 new local jobs.
• Striving to design and supply quality medical solutions to enhance the performance of the healthcare industry, the company also has core businesses within the Wound Care, Operation Room Solutions (ORS), Gloves and Antiseptic segments.

Kulim, Kedah, 20 September 2022 – The world-leading medical product and solutions company, Mölnlycke of Sweden has just opened a new surgical glove plant in Kulim Hi-Tech Park, Kedah, with sustainable production as its backbone. With a total investment of EUR 50 million (RM233 million), the new facility is a major milestone and part of Mölnlycke’s sustainability roadmap – WeCare, to meet the healthcare manufacturing industry’s increasing demand sustainably, producing surgical gloves.

The new production site, which has a land area of 29,164 sqm and building footprint of 14,620 sqm, is fully equipped with the cutting-edge automated glove production and packaging line. With the addition of the new plant, Mölnlycke expects to create some 400 new job opportunities within the state. Mölnlycke will also increase their production capacity substantially to meet future demand on high-quality surgical gloves. 

The manufacturing plant is constructed in partnership with global sustainability solutions providers, ENGIE and Veolia Water Technologies. Veolia will be assisting in improving the plant’s wastewater management, effectively recycling water, and further improving the discharge quality. With Veolia’s digitalised system, water consumption is expected to be reduced to 50 per cent. Moreover, ENGIE will be supplying the plant with its energy source by installing solar panels to power the manufacturing production and operations. In the long run, Mölnlycke is turning its commitment to net zero Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions by 2050 into reality by running its operations in a less resource intensive way.

The new manufacturing plant was officiated by YAB. Dato’ Seri Haji Muhammad Sanusi Bin Md Nor, Chief Minister of Kedah, HE Dr. Joachim Bergstrom, Ambassador of Sweden and Zlatko Rihter, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Mölnlycke. Also present at the official launch were Dato’ Wira Dr. Ku Abd Rahman Ku Ismail, Senior State EXCO Member for Industry & Investment, Higher Education, Science, Technology & Education; Datuk Wira Arham Abdul Rahman, CEO of Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA); Mohammad Haris Kader Sultan, Chief Executive (CE) of Northern Corridor Implementation Authority (NCIA) and Karl-Henrik Sundström, Chair of the Board of Mölnlycke.

In his welcoming address, YAB Dato’ Seri Haji Muhammad Sanusi bin Md Nor, Chief Minister of Kedah said, “The state of Kedah is very proud to be the host of Mölnlycke’s new state-of the art factory, and in that being recognised as a state providing the right prerequisites for sustainable production of high-quality surgical gloves, and in that enable Mölnlycke to live its vision to improve hand performance for health care professionals across the globe – because hands deserve better.”

Datuk Wira Arham Abdul Rahman, CEO of MIDA welcomed the launch of Mölnlycke’s new manufacturing facility saying, “Malaysia is very honoured that Mölnlycke, who has a long-term presence in Kedah, continues to expand in the Kulim Hi-Tech Park (KHTP). The establishment of Mölnlycke’s new production facility in Malaysia is a mark of confidence in the continuous sustainable growth of the Malaysian economy and will be a boon for Malaysia to maintain its leadership position in the glove manufacturing sector. Once implemented, the company’s state-of-the-art automated plant in Malaysia which has incorporated sustainable practices, would be exporting 100 per cent of its production for the global market, making Malaysia part of their key value chain internationally. We are committed to supporting industry leaders like Mölnlycke and we hope to see the company grow to greater heights in the years ahead.”

Mohamad Haris Kader Sultan, CE of NCIA further added, “NCIA is proud to facilitate Mölnlycke’s expansion in the medical devices sector as it will accelerate the development of high-technology and digitalisation ecosystem in KHTP, Kedah which is classified as NCER Special Promoted Area. Mölnlycke has been awarded with NCER Special Tax Stimulus Package in February 2022 and the company is committed to embark on Local Vendor Development in automation and digitalisation. Mölnlycke’s expansion on innovative and advanced products is in line with the government’s efforts to create 500 high-skilled employment opportunities in the science and technology field, for the benefit of the rakyat.”

JC Guillou, Vice President Global Operations of Mölnlycke Gloves said “We are beyond excited and thrilled about the opening of our new plant here in Kulim, Kedah. This is a significant milestone for Mölnlycke, as it is part of our transformative journey towards becoming a global leader in sustainable healthcare. We have chosen Kulim Hi-Tech Park, Kedah as the new location of our plant, as we believe the state has the right infrastructure, talent, and capabilities to meet the demands of the manufacturing industry. With the addition of this new facility in our pipeline, we are confident that we would be able to capture and capitalise on the industry’s demand, not only in Kedah or Malaysia but in the region in general.”

Dr. Joachim Bergström, Ambassador of Sweden to Malaysia, said, “Mölnlycke’s decision to continue and expand their operations here in Kulim Hi-Tech Park is a clear indicator of the successful story of Malaysian manufacturing and, in particular, here in Kedah. In return, Mölnlycke, a global leader within MedTech, will be able to increase their competitiveness on the global market. This is a story of successful cooperation, a win-win, between Mölnlycke – Kulim Hi-Tech Park, Kedah, which is also the story of our two countries. Sweden and Malaysia have a great history of producing win-wins and we will continue to do so.”

Malaysia has been actively promoting and implementing sustainable development initiatives aligning with the National Investment Aspirations (NIA) and Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) principles. In line with this, Mölnlycke through its shared value creation WeCare roadmap, aims to contribute towards Malaysia’s sustainability goals, such as energy usage reduction, wastewater management, economic growth, and innovation in infrastructure. WeCare is Mölnlycke’s sustainability roadmap for the company’s growth, innovation, and productivity drive.

With sustainability being a key aspect of the company’s strategic focus area, Mölnlycke endeavours to build a sustainable healthcare manufacturing ecosystem that would effectively meet the industry’s demand for high-quality surgical gloves, with minimum environmental impact.

Malaysia is core to Mölnlycke’s surgical gloves business. To date, the company has three other additional factories based in the country, two of which are for the manufacturing of surgical gloves and another for packing. With business in over 100 countries worldwide, Mölnlycke entered the Malaysian market in 1990 and currently employs over 2,500 Malaysians in their network.

To find out more information on Mölnlycke, please visit https://www.molnlycke.my/.

– END –

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 Mölnlycke
Currently operating in over 100 countries worldwide, Mölnlycke is the owner of one of the leading brands in the surgical gloves segment – also known as Mölnlycke’s Biogel^® – among its other core businesses. Moving forward, Mölnlycke aims to meet the demands and equip healthcare professionals to achieve the best patient, clinical and economic outcomes, transforming the sector into a low carbon economy and achieving the ‘net zero’ targets by 2050 through their overall business operations. For more information on Mölnlycke, kindly visit https://www.molnlycke.my/.

For media enquiries, please contact:

MIDA
Ms. Azlina Hamdan
Director, Life Sciences & Medical Technology Division, MIDA
E: [email protected] I T: +603-2267 3791

Molnlycke
Elliot & Co (Representing Molnlycke)
Abigail Henry
Senior PR Consultant
+60 17- 383 3391
[email protected]

Mölnlycke® Pursues Sustainable Growth: Inaugurates new surgical glove plant in Kulim, Kedah with sustainability at core

Perak, September 8, 2022 – XP Power, one of the world’s leading developers and manufacturers of critical power solutions for the electronics industry, has begun construction on its latest manufacturing facility in Perak, Malaysia. The Asia III site will be the company’s largest facility, representing the biggest investment valued at RM228 million for Phase 1, over the span of 5 years. This expansion is vital in XP Power’s global growth strategy, increasing production capacity to support surging customer demand across regions.

Construction will begin in September, with the facility expected to be fully operational by second quarter 2024. The new factory complements the company’s existing sites in Vietnam, China, the US, and Germany, enhancing the resilience and flexibility of its supply chain. It will also create significant employment opportunities in the surrounding region. The factory, once completed, will employ approximately 1,200 people.

The momentous groundbreaking ceremony was graced by YAB Dato’ Seri Saarani Mohamad, Menteri Besar of Perak; YB Dato’ Shahrul Zaman Datuk Yahya, Perak State EXCO for Industry, Investment and Corridor Development; YB Khairul Shahril bin Mohamed; Perak State EXCO for Youth, Sport, Communication and Multimedia cum State Assemblyman for Bota Constituency; Ms. Lim Bee Vian, Deputy CEO (Investment Development), Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA); Mr. Izran Abdullah, CEO of InvestPerak, and Mr. Oskar Zahn, CFO of XP Power.

Menteri Besar of Perak, YAB Dato’ Seri Saarani Bin Mohamad in his Keynote Address highlighted, “The State Government is focused on the needs of the rakyat. These high impact projects will bring in investments, strengthen the socio-economy and increase job creation. These investments will stimulate the local economy, thus contributing significantly towards the economic recovery of Perak after the COVID-19 pandemic.”

“Drawn by the stability and flexibility of the Malaysian business and investment policies, many MNCs have established their base operations here, including XP Power. Their presence here is a testament to their confidence in Malaysia’s vibrant electrical and electronics (E&E) ecosystem, which comprises players across the value chain, from equipment supplies to assembly and testing. XP Power’s investment in Malaysia will undeniably further strengthen our competitiveness and ensure our industries remain resilient and competitive. We welcome and look forward to have more XP Power’s industry counterparts and similar industries to emulate and leverage Malaysia as their regional supply chain hub.” said Ms. Lim Bee Vian, Deputy CEO (Investment Development) of MIDA.
Mr. Izran Abdullah, CEO of InvestPerak commented “Perak is strategically located at the midpoint between Penang and Selangor which are two economic focal points in Malaysia. We regard this as our advantage as we are able to gain economic spill over from both States and Perak is always ready to support industrial expansion from neighbouring states. Equipped with complete infrastructure, abundance of natural resources, sufficient high-skill talents and a matured industrial ecosystem, Perak is emerging as one of the focal destinations for new investments.”

“Our new facility in Perak is fundamental for XP Power in delivering XP Power’s ambitious growth aspirations over the next 5 to 10 years. The demand for XP Power’s products is strong across the entire power range driven by demand from healthcare, semiconductor and industrial customers. The demand is only increasing in the next decade. XP Power’s completed facility will employ around 1,200 employees and it will be our largest manufacturing facility globally complementing the existing sites in Vietnam, China, the USA and Germany. The company’s management is excited for the future of XP Power and see Perak as a critical stepping stone for the Group.” said Gavin Griggs, CEO, XP Power.

*****

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. The establishment of MIDA in 1967 was hailed by the World Bank as “the necessary impetus for purposeful, positive and coordinated promotional action” for Malaysia’s industrial development. Today, MIDA has grown to become a strong and dynamic organisation of over 700 employees. 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 InvestPerak
Perak Investment Management Centre (PIMC) or better known as InvestPerak, was established in January 2006 to serve as the ‘First Point of Contact for Investors’ in the manufacturing and services sectors in Perak. It primarily acts as the principal investment promotion agency of the Perak State Government and reports directly to the YAB Menteri Besar Perak. Perak State Government have mandated InvestPerak as secretariat for Centre of Investment (COI), which empowered the function of InvestPerak as facilitator in assisting investors to invest in Perak. In order to facilitate the implementation of investment projects in Perak, [email protected] have the authority to issue ‘Fast-Track Letter’ for strategic projects, which put the investment projects as a priority for all relevant agencies in their approval process. Apart from that, InvestPerak complements the role that the Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA) plays at the Federal Government level, in terms of investment promotion and relevant incentives offering. InvestPerak also work closely with other related government departments and agencies, business chambers and industrial associations to ensure that the industries in Perak continue to grow and flourish.

About XP Power
XP Power is committed to being a leading provider of power solutions, including AC-DC power supplies, DC-DC converters, High Voltage power supplies and RF power supplies. With ISO9001:2008, XP Power offers total quality, from in-house design through to manufacturing facilities around the world. The company offers the widest range of power products available from one source and unrivalled technical and customer support, aiding both vendor consolidation and cost reduction programmes. XP Power has 24 sales offices throughout Europe, North America, and Asia.

XP Power Ltd (LSE:XPP), a London Stock Exchange FTSE 250 listed public company, has design centres in North America (Massachusetts, New Jersey and California) and Singapore, which also serves as the company’s headquarters. Manufacturing facilities are located in North America, Vietnam, and China. The design teams push back the boundaries of cost and technology, providing market leading power solution products. Local application teams provide expert technical support to help customers integrate and use XP Power products worldwide. Find more information about how XP Power is powering innovation at www.xppower.com

Media Enquiries:

MIDA
Ms. Noor Suziyanti Saad
Director, Electrical and Electronics Division, MIDA
Email: [email protected] | DL: + 603 – 2267 3575

InvestPerak
Mr. Mohamad Noor Arif
Investor Relations Manager
Email: [email protected] | Tel: +6013-4475312

XP Power
Maria Alonso, Publitek
Email: [email protected] | Tel: +44 1582390980

XP Power Breaks Ground Its Largest Global Manufacturing Facility To Support Rising Demand

NTT expands its hyperscaler footprint in Malaysia with its sixth data center facility, supporting the growing digital economy.

Cyberjaya, Malaysia – 05 September 2022 – NTT Ltd. a leading IT infrastructure and services company, and the first company to receive the Multimedia Super Corridor (MSC) status back in 1997,  today announced the commencement of its sixth data center construction in Cyberjaya, shortly after the completion of its fifth data center (CBJ5) in 2021.

NTT plans to initially invest over USD50 million for the new data center known as Cyberjaya 6 (CBJ6). It complements CBJ5 which covers just under 20 000 m² with a total facility load of 22MW when combined with CBJ6. The facility will cater to hyperscalers and high-end enterprises to accelerate digital transformation across industries in Malaysia as the nation ushers in the new digital era. With its global reach alongside local operational expertise, NTT’s data centers provide businesses in Malaysia with access to a wide portfolio of ICT solutions to support digital growth and needs, being the first company to receive Multimedia Super Corridor status back in 1997.

NTT showed its intent to support Malaysia’s digitalization during the meeting with the Trade and Investment Mission (TIM) delegation led by YB. Dato’ Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali, Senior Minister and Minister of International Trade and Industry (MITI) to Tokyo, Japan.

Dato’ Seri Azmin remarked, “MITI fully supports NTT’s investment plans in Malaysia and welcomes this latest move to develop a new data center and network infrastructure in Cyberjaya. Kudos to NTT’s vision of “NTT Green Innovation toward 2040”, in which NTT aims for carbon neutrality for its data centers by FY2030 and for the whole NTT Group by FY2040. This is certainly in tandem with Malaysia’s commitment to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050. This strategic investment will further support and drive Malaysia’s commitment towards ESG values and advancing green growth as outlined in the Twelfth Malaysian Plan.”

“The wave of digitalization is unstoppable. Companies today realize how important it is to harness the immense power of digital technology. We are honoured that Malaysia is the location of choice for industry leaders like NTT, to site their data centers.  The establishment of CBJ6 as part of NTT’s expansion plan is a strong testament to NTT’s confidence in Malaysia’s capability as a regional data center hub. We are confident that NTT’s efforts will contribute to the country’s goal of becoming a digital nation, helping it achieve a 22.6% GDP boost from the digital economy by 2025,” said Datuk Wira Arham Abdul Rahman, Chief Executive Officer of Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA).

“Asia Pacific is a key growth region for NTT, and Malaysia has a prime position in its strategic investment plans. With this expansion through a new data center launch, NTT will drive business opportunities domestically and also across APAC. NTT’s investment will support Malaysia’s digitalization, and accelerate the growth of our domestic and APAC digital ecosystem” added Yasuo Suzuki, Executive Vice President, Data Center Service at NTT Ltd.

The optical submarine cable MIST¹ between Malaysia, Singapore, and India which is currently under construction, will enable connectivity between CBJ5 and CBJ6 to further enhance Malaysia’s network connectivity globally and build sustainable socio-economic impact. NTT will continue to expand its cable capacity.

Over the past 30 years, NTT has been expanding its footprint in Malaysia, making the nation’s vision a reality through public-private partnership. Moving forward, NTT will remain steadfast in its support for building Malaysia’s technological infrastructure, contributing towards the nation’s digital ecosystem and continually improving Malaysia’s position as a digitally-driven nation.

– Ends –

About NTT Ltd.
NTT Ltd. is a leading IT infrastructure and services company. With revenues of over USD 10 billion, we operate in more than 200 countries and regions, and serve 5,000 clients across multiple industries. Through technology and innovation, we deliver a secure and connected future that empowers our people, clients and communities. We lay the foundation for organizations’ edge-to-cloud networking ecosystem, simplify the complexity of their workloads across multicloud environments, and innovate at the edge of their IT environments, where networks, cloud and applications converge. On the journey towards a software-defined future, we support organizations with platform-delivered infrastructure services. As part of the global NTT Corporation, we serve 65% of the Fortune Global 500 and 80% of the Fortune Global 100.  We enable a connected future. Visit us at services.global.ntt.

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.

Media Enquiries:

NTT Ltd.
JC Ting, Senior Manager, Marketing, Malaysia
Email : [email protected]
Tel : +60-12-504-9632

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

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¹ The MIST cable system will be available by mid 2023 and it is a strategic joint venture for international submarine cables in South East Asia, with Orient Link Pte. Ltd.. It will enable NTT Ltd. to expand its offerings into India and beyond, while the ASE and APG cable systems provide global connectivity from Asia to United States.

NTT Launches its Cyberjaya 6 (CBJ6) Data Center in Malaysia

The Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA) is pleased to announce the appointment of Tan Sri Dato’ Sri Dr. Sulaiman Mahbob as the new Chairman of MIDA, effective 3 September 2022. This will be the second time that he has been elected as the Chairman of MIDA. He was first elected from 2009 to 2012.

Tan Sri Dato’ Sri Dr. Sulaiman Mahbob has had a distinguished career in the Public Service having served in various ministries and departments. Currently, he is the Chief Executive Officer of the National Recovery Council (NRC), member of the Board of Directors for the Institute of Strategic and International Studies (ISIS) and Perbadanan Tabung Pendidikan Tinggi Nasional (PTPTN). He is also the Chairman of the Malaysian Institute of Economic Research (MIER), a board member of Perbadanan Insurance Deposit Malaysia (PIDM) and Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC). Being also active in academia, he is an Adjunct Professor at the University of Malaya (INPUMA) and University Tun Razak (UNIRAZAK) where he lectures in Economics and Public Policy.

Tan Sri Dr. Sulaiman graduated with an economics degree at the University of Malaya and obtained his PhD at Maxwell School, Syracuse University, USA. A veritable thought leader in the fields of Economic Policy, Public Finance and Development as well as on a broad range of subjects, he has regularly articulated his views via op-eds and lectures at home and abroad.

Commending Tan Sri Dr. Sulaiman’s appointment as MIDA’s new chairman, Senior Minister and Minister of International Trade and Industry YB Dato’ Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali said, “In facing the current geopolitical realities and landscape, MIDA’s role demands, more than ever before, a creative, innovative and comprehensive approach, in increasing competitiveness and resilience towards attracting quality and high-tech investments into the country. Indeed, Tan Sri Dr. Sulaiman’s appointment will provide a fresh perspective in contributing towards increasing the dynamism of MIDA, building on his invaluable expertise and vast experience, especially in the areas of economic planning, strategic business modelling, and global trend analysis.”

-END-

About MIDA

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

For media enquiries please contact:
Ms. Normi Alias
Director, Corporate Management Division
DL: +603-2267 3789 | Email: [email protected]

Tan Sri Dato’ Sri Dr. Sulaiman Bin Mahbob Appointed as the New Chairman of MIDA

Malaysia Continues to be an Attractive Investment Destination for Both Foreign Direct Investments (FDI) and Domestic Direct Investments (DDI) to Drive Malaysia’s Economic Growth

• Malaysia attracted RM123.3 billion (USD28.0 billion) of approved investments in the manufacturing (RM43.1 billion or USD9.8 billion), services (RM78.0 billion or USD17.7 billion) and primary sectors (RM2.2 billion or USD0.5 billion).
• Foreign Direct Investments (FDI) remained the major contributor for the total approved investments at 70.9 per cent or RM87.4 billion (USD19.9 billion).
• The approved investments for this period will generate 57,771 new jobs in the country.
• Malaysia’s services sector secured projects worth RM78.0 billion (USD17.7 billion) for the first half of 2022, compared to the RM52.4 billion (USD12.6 billion) it gained for the same period in 2021, a major increase of 48.8 per cent.

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 2 (Bernama) — Malaysia remained an attractive investment destination for global and regional business expansions as the total Foreign Direct Investments (FDI) and Domestic Direct Investments (DDI) continue to grow for the period of January to June 2022. The nation’s economy has been on a strong recovery path since the country reopened its borders last year. Supported by robust industrial ecosystem, increase in domestic demand and easing of containment measures, the Malaysian economy performance continues to normalise and grow in strength. 

Apart from the increasing number of MNCs’ presence in Malaysia, Malaysian companies have also leveraged their presence here by being persistent in building up their capabilities to provide products and services required by these global companies.

Malaysia has attracted a total of RM123.3 billion (USD28.0 billion) worth of approved investments in the manufacturing, services and primary sectors involving 1,714 projects for the period of January to June 2022 and is expected to create 57,771 job opportunities in the country. FDI remained the major contributor, at 70.9 per cent or RM87.4 billion (USD19.9 billion), while investments from domestic sources contributed 29.1 per cent amounting to RM35.9 billion (USD8.2 billion).

In this period, the services sector assumed a significant role towards driving the country’s economic recovery, accounting for 63.3 per cent of total approved investments with RM78.0 billion (USD17.7 billion). The stellar performance for the services sector exceeded expectations for January to June 2022, an increase of 48.8 per cent from the achievement attained in the same period in 2021. This is followed by the manufacturing sector at RM43.1 billion (USD9.8 billion) or 34.9 per cent and the primary sector at RM2.2 billion (USD0.5 billion) or 1.8 per cent.

FDI accounted for 70.9 per cent of the approved investments, valued at RM87.4 billion (USD19.9 billion). Of the total investments approved, the People’s Republic of China (PRC) dominated foreign investments for the period of January to June 2022, with investments totalling RM48.6 billion (USD11.0 billion). This is followed by Germany (RM9.0 billion) (USD2.0 billion), Singapore (RM6.0 billion) (USD1.4 billion), Brunei (RM5.1 billion) (USD1.2 billion), and The Netherlands (RM4.1 billion) (USD0.9 billion).

For projects approved by state, five (5) major states, namely Johor, Selangor, Sabah, Kedah and Pulau Pinang, contributed RM103.5 billion (USD23.5 billion) or 83.9 per cent of the total investments approved from January to June 2022. 

YB. Dato’ Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali, Senior Minister and Minister of International Trade and Industry (MITI) stated said, “Malaysia is on the right trajectory to secure more high-quality, high impact and capital-intensive projects, with the services sector being the key growth driver for the economy and the largest contributor for approved investments for the first half of this year. In maintaining the momentum, MITI will continue to strengthen the country’s competitiveness by developing economic complexity, nurturing a strong industrial ecosystem with innovation intensity, enhancing inclusivity by creation of high-income jobs and promoting opportunities to participate in the regional and global supply chains. Driven by the National Investment Aspirations (NIA), we will intensify our focus towards sectors such as digital economy, electrical and electronics (E&E), pharmaceutical, chemical and aerospace with significant economic potential and sustainable long-term growth.” 

The Malaysian Government has lined-up strategic and focused trade and investment missions (TIM) targeted to capture investments in high technology, innovation and research-driven industries that will complement and further strengthen the Malaysian industrial ecosystem.

Services Sector Takes the Lead 

Malaysia’s diversified services sector continues to embrace digitalisation to move up the value chain and boost operational efficiency when remote-working and automation trends have accelerated as we transition to the new era of endemicity. New services have materialised through the invention of the Internet of Things, Artificial Intelligence and the cloud network have redefined the service sector’s importance in Malaysia’s economy.

The Digital Investment Office (DIO), a fully-digital collaborative platform between MIDA and MDEC, was established to coordinate and streamline digital investments into the country while providing end-to-end facilitation to investors, thus helping investors to realise their business growth expansion in Malaysia. The office is committed towards attracting investments that embodies high-value, sustainability and technologies.

This is in line with the government’s aim to attract RM70.0 billion (USD15.6 billion) investments to accelerate digitalisation efforts by 2025. This initiative is 
timely and in line with the evolution of the global investment landscape towards digitalisation and Industry 4.0, creating unique and interesting value propositions for digital projects which involves digital infrastructure projects like data centres and submarine cables as well as digital technology projects that utilise IR4.0 technology such as cloud computing, artificial intelligence and big data analysis.

For this period, the services sector accounted for the largest share of the total approved investments, amounting to RM78.0 billion (USD17.7 billion) from 1,351 projects which contributed to the growth of the country’s economy. This is a significant increase as compared to the RM52.4 billion (USD12.6 billion) investments approved for the services sector in the same period last year. A total of 22,569 new jobs are expected to be created in the services sector.

Based on the total approved investments for the first half of 2022, foreign investments made up the largest portion, recording RM50.4 billion (USD11.5 billion) or 64.6 per cent of the total approved investments for the services sector, while the remaining 35.4 per cent or RM27.6 billion (USD6.3 billion) were from domestic sources.

In terms of top-performing sub-sectors for the period, information and communications sub-sector dominated the services sector, with approved investments valued at RM53.7 billion (USD12.2 billion) or 68.8 per cent. From the total approved investments of this sub-sector, three (3) data centre projects were approved with investments totalling RM51.1 billion (USD11.6 billion) or 95.2 per cent.

Among other performing sub-sectors which contributed to the significant amount of investments approved were real estate (RM11.0 billion) (USD2.5 billion), utilities (RM4.8 billion) (USD1.1 billion), distributive trade (RM2.1 billion) (USD0.5 billion) and hotels and tourism (RM1.8 billion)(USD0.4 billion).

Five (5) sub-sectors showed positive development in terms of percentage increment of approved investments namely information and communications, with an increase of 1,300 per cent. This is followed by other services with an increase of 153.4 per cent, hotels and tourism (15.3 per cent), distributive trade (14.3 per cent), and utilities (7.2 per cent).

Notable projects approved in services sector include PRC’s Bridge Data Centres Malaysia III Sdn. Bhd. and ByteDance System Sdn. Bhd., as well as Malaysian public listed company YTL Power International Berhad. All three (3) are data centre projects. These projects are testament to Malaysia’s readiness and attractiveness to host more digital investments projects in the near future.

Manufacturing Sector

Malaysia continues to attract high quality investments in the manufacturing sector for the period January to June 2022, reflecting the country’s competitiveness as a preferred location for investment in the region. The manufacturing sector accounted for RM43.1 billion (USD9.8 billion) (34.9 per cent) from the total approved investments in various economic sectors, as compared to RM75.8 billion (USD18.3 billion) for the same period in 2021. The approval of a megaproject was cited as the reason for the high total approved investments in the manufacturing sector for the first half in 2021.

Of the total approved investments in 1H2022 for the manufacturing sector, FDI amounted to RM35.5 billion (USD8.1 billion) (82.4 per cent), while domestic investments contributed to the remaining RM7.6 billion (USD1.7 billion) (17.6 per cent).

From the RM43.1 billion (USD9.8 billion) approved investments in the manufacturing sector, investments for expansion/diversification projects showed positive development with an increase of 31.9 per cent totaling RM26.0 billion (USD5.9 billion) for the first half of 2022, as compared to the same period in 2021. The remaining RM17.1 billion (USD3.9 billion) were recorded from new projects.

In terms of top-performing industries for this period, electrical and electronics (E&E) products lead the manufacturing sector (RM19.4 billion) (USD4.4 billion), followed by petroleum products (including petrochemicals) (RM5.1 billion) (USD1.2 billion), non-metallic mineral products (RM4.8 billion) (USD1.1 billion),scientific and measuring equipment (RM3.6 billion) (USD0.8 billion), fabricated metal products (RM2.8 billion) (USD0.6 billion), chemical and chemical products (RM1.5 billion) (USD0.3 billion), machinery and equipment (RM1.4 billion) (USD0.3 billion), as well as food manufacturing (RM1.1 billion) (USD0.3 billion). These industries made up RM39.5 billion (USD9.0 billion) (91.6 per cent) of total approved investments in this sector.

A total of 35,032 potential job opportunities are expected to be created in the manufacturing sector, where it will require 1,745 (5 per cent) managerial positions, 4,122 (11.8 per cent) professional/technical and supervisory roles, such as engineers in the field of E&E, mechanical, chemical and other disciplines, reflecting the higher value chain transition of the manufacturing sector. The approved manufacturing projects will also require 7,491 (21.4 per cent) skilled craftsmen, such as plant maintenance supervisors, tools and die makers, machinists, IT personnel, quality controllers, electricians and welders. 

Notable projects approved in the manufacturing sector for the first half of 2022 include:

• The ams OSRAM Group (SIX:AMS), a global leader in optical solutions, is investing in research, development and state-of-the-art manufacturing capabilities in its wholly owned legal entity Osram Opto Semiconductors (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd at the Kulim Hi-Tech Park. The expansion will help ams OSRAM to set international standards in the fields of illumination, visualization and sensor technology through building a fully-automated manufacturing facility extension to its current factory at the Kulim Hi-Tech Park. This flagship facility, focused on wafer fabrication, will play an important role in future technology growth. ams OSRAM will continue to contribute to Malaysia’s domestic E&E ecosystem and the company anticipates employment opportunities locally. ams OSRAM is a multinational optical technology pioneer headquartered in Austria and Munich who established operations in Penang in 1972. 

• Petroventure Energy Sdn. Bhd. is a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) company based in Sabah and will be manufacturing petroleum products in Sabah, including gasoline, kerosene, benzene, liquefied petroleum gas, acrylic, sulphur, slurry, fuel oil and diesel. This project will help Sabah’s economy to spur as the products from the refinery will create a new supply chain that will benefit many businesses. Also, the project is anticipated to create between 500 to 1,000 potential job opportunities.

Primary Sector

The primary sector recorded a total of RM2.2 billion (USD0.5 billion) approved investments (1.8 per cent) of the total approved investments in the various economic sectors for the period of January to June 2022, as compared to RM6.5 billion (USD1.6 billion) approved investments for the same period in 2021. FDI dominated the primary sector with investments valued at RM1.5 billion (USD0.3 billion) (68.2 per cent), while the remaining RM0.7 billion (USD0.2 billion) (31.8 per cent) is contributed from domestic sources.

Two (2) sub-sectors showed a significant growth, namely agricultural sub-sector and plantation and commodities sub-sector. The agricultural sub-sector amounted to RM184.7 million (USD42.0 million) in total approved investments which is a 1,500 per cent increment from the previous RM11.5 million (USD2.6 million) investments for the same period in 2021. Meanwhile, the plantation and commodities sub-sector recorded RM109.1 million (USD24.8 million) of approved investments, an increase of 36.6 per cent from the previous RM79.8 million (USD19.2 million) investments for the same period in 2021.

Malaysia remains steadfast in its fundamentals as the pre-eminent preferred investment destination in the region and set to catapult the nation to stage its most robust recovery as we enter the stage of endemicity. As we forge ahead on the path of economic revitalisation supported by ongoing policy reforms and accelerated digitalisation, the government remains committed to prioritising the needs of our people and businesses.

As of August 2022, there are 276 projects with proposed investments of RM25.1 billion (USD5.6 billion) within MIDA’s pipeline; 198 projects are from the services sector (RM13.7 billion) (USD3.1 billion), while 78 projects are from the manufacturing sector (RM11.4 billion) (USD2.6 billion), all of which fall under MIDA’s purview.

According to the 2021 Global Services Location Index (GSLI) by global consulting firm Kearney, Malaysia is the world’s third most competitive Global Business Services (GBS) location, trailing behind India and China. This biannual index tracks the contours of the global landscape across 60 countries in four (4) major categories: financial attractiveness, people skills and availability, business environment, and digital resonance.

Moving forward, MITI and MIDA aspire to continue the momentum in securing new sustainable and inclusive investments to drive Malaysia’s economic growth. 

*****

About MIDA

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

For more enquiries, please contact: 
Ms. Fatmah Ahmad
Director, Corporate Communications Division
Tel: +603-2267 2428 | Email: [email protected]

Malaysia Attracted RM123.3 Billion (USD28.0 Billion) of Approved Investments For The First Half Of 2022

Malacca, 02 September 2022 – The Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA) reaffirms its commitment to the country’s supply chain facilitation agenda by extending its support to Xinyi Energy Smart (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd. (Xinyi Energy Smart)’s supply chain programme. Xinyi Energy Smart is the first overseas division of China’s leading integrated glass manufacturer, Xinyi Glass Holdings Limited.

Xinyi Energy Smart, located here at Elkay Industrial Park, Lipat Kajang, Jasin, is looking to expand its supplier base as part of its localisation plan. This supply chain programme seeks to establish a conducive supply chain ecosystem by partnering with local suppliers, vendors and service providers.  

MIDA, has played an instrumental role in helping Xinyi set-up its operations here, is supportive of the latter’s supply chain programme as it opens up opportunities for local suppliers to grow and develop their business. This is in tandem with the supply chain facilitation programme initiated by the Government of Malaysia, tasked to MIDA, to assist both domestic and foreign companies get the most out of their operations here.

“MIDA’s supply chain programme aims to create opportunities for domestic companies, narrow gaps in the supply chain, support multinational companies (MNCs) and Limited Liability Companies (LLCs) in outsourcing their manufacturing activities to domestic companies, as well as develop and upgrade the domestic companies. This in turn, will encourage the growth of domestic investments and encourage the adoption and adaptation of automation and the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) by MNCs, LLCs and their vendors,” said MIDA Deputy Chief Executive Officer (Investment Development), Ms. Lim Bee Vian.

“MIDA is looking forward to the success of this programme in bridging the needs and opportunities between Xinyi and our local companies. Xinyi is also looking forward to building relationships with service providers, namely haulage and transportation services. MIDA welcomes industry players to explore our dedicated resources, wide range of facilities or consultation services to assist investors in expanding their operations here in the country. Xinyi has thus far invested approximately RM2.1 billion in Malaysia and created more than 1,900 job opportunities.” added Ms. Lim Bee Vian.

“MIDA continues to be vigilant in monitoring the dynamic changing landscape and work towards maintaining a resilient business environment which attracts quality investment, integrates local companies into global supply chains and creates high-value jobs and opportunities for Malaysians. Malaysia has managed to leverage on the strengths of its local value chain to fortify the country’s supply chain resilience in delivering critical goods at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic and will continue to remain resilient to minimise any future risks.” she added.

According to Xinyi Smart Energy Managing Director Datuk Sin Ket Hin, “Xinyi is appreciative of MIDA’s efforts to identify potential partnerships between foreign and local companies. The company is well aware that domestic investments are crucial for the growth of Malaysia’s industrial development and as such is delighted to collaborate in a win-win relationship.” 

“We are happy that the government has initiated the supply chain facilitation programme to assist investors to identify suitable local suppliers. This certainly will ease our efforts in sourcing for raw materials and transportation services as local suppliers sign up under our programme. We look forward to harness outsourcing opportunities offered by Malaysian companies particularly for our upstream and downstream needs,” he said.

-ENDS-

About MIDA

MIDA is the Government’s principal investment promotion and development agency under the Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI) to oversee and drive investments into 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.

About Xinyi

Xinyi Glass Holdings Limited, founded in 1988 and headquartered in Hong Kong, China, was listed on the main board of the Hong Kong Stock Exchange in February, 2005. As one of the world’s leading integrated glass manufacturers, Xinyi Glass is committed to the manufacturing of high-quality float glass, automobile glass and energy-saving architectural glass, and has a sales network covering over 130 countries and regions around the world.

Xinyi Glass actively promotes the globalisation of its business and continues to improve the global strategic layout. The company established its first overseas manufacturing base in Malacca, Malaysia to produce high quality float glass and coated glass. Xinyi Glass, with a market cap of over HK$56.5 billion and an annual revenue of over HK$ 30.4 billion, now has a total industrial area of over 7.37 million sqm and over 14,000 employees.

Xinyi Solar (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd. was incorporated on 27 November 2014 to produce photovoltaic functional glass at Elkay Industrial Park, Lipat Kajang Jasin. Its second project in Malacca is Xinyi Energy Smart (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd, producing float glass and float coated glass. The company also manufactures laminated glass windshields.  Xinyi’s investment in Malaysia is approximately RM2.1 billion, creating more than 1,900 jobs.

MEDIA CONTACTS:

MIDA:

Ms. Rozita Ibrahim
Director, Building Technology and Lifestyle, MIDA
Email: [email protected] | DL: + 603- 2267 3479

XINYI:

Mr. Abdul Hazim Bin Rahmat
Senior Manager, Public Relation, Xinyi Energy Smart (M) Sdn Bhd
Email: [email protected] | DL: + 6019-2555285

MIDA and Xinyi Energy Smart Partnered in Supply Chain Programme to Strengthen Domestic Resilience

TAIYO YUDEN ANNOUNCES EXPANSION OF MULTILAYER CERAMIC CAPACITORS PRODUCTION IN SARAWAK

Construction project by Taiyo Yuden valued at RM680 million commences in September 2021  

Kuala Lumpur, 21 September 2021 – Taiyo Yuden Co. Ltd., listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange, announced today that one of its subsidiaries, Taiyo Yuden (Sarawak) Sdn Bhd, is expanding its multilayer ceramic capacitors manufacturing facility in Kuching as a strategic move to increase its production capacity in the ASEAN region. This marks another milestone for Malaysia as the preferred hub for global manufacturers and an ASEAN gateway.

The expansion of Taiyo Yuden’s facility in Sarawak was discussed during the Trade and Investment Mission (TIM) to Tokyo in April 2021 led by YB Dato’ Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali, Senior Minister and Minister of International Trade and Industry.

“Taiyo Yuden’s decision to inject RM680 million capital investments for their new facility reflects booming investors’ confidence in our ecosystem’s readiness to support global production. This achievement demonstrates the success of the Government’s aggressive and effective strategies to welcome and facilitate high-quality FDIs. MIDA has been working closely with Taiyo Yuden in ensuring the smooth implementation of their expansion project that will generate an additional 2,000 job opportunities,” said Dato’ Seri Azmin.

Mr. Shinji Masuyama, Director and Executive Vice President of Taiyo Yuden said, “The construction of this new plant is an important investment agenda under the Group’s Medium-term Management Plan 2025. More than ever, we will strive continuously to develop as a business enterprise that is trustworthy to all the stakeholders, including our customers, local communities in Malaysia, and employees.”

Taiyo Yuden (Sarawak) is a production site for multilayer ceramic capacitors, which are essential components for the creation of miniature and high-performance electronic devices. Since 1994, the company has employed 4,600 personnel in their manufacturing plant.

The company foresees a higher demand for multilayer ceramic capacitors in the future due to the advancement of technologies in automobiles, electrical and electronics, 5G smartphones and communications infrastructure. 

The Kuching facility spanning over 36,500 square meters, is expected to be in operation by March 2023. It will include the usage of high-tech equipment with state-of-the-art features, support high-energy conservation and incorporate solar-powered roof, in line with ESG Goals. This bodes well with the National Investment Aspirations (NIA) crucial in revitalising Malaysia’s investment climate, attract high-quality investments and create high-income jobs.

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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 TAIYO YUDEN

Since Taiyo Yuden’s inception, we have achieved growth by undertaking the research, development, manufacture and sales of various types of electronic components. Our product lineup includes capacitors, as well as inductors and Film Bulk Acoustic Resonator (FBAR)/Surface Acoustic Wave (SAW) devices. The source of our strength comes from the undertaking of development starting from material development to product commercialisation. This approach enables us to continually provide products that respond closely to our customer needs in the markets we serve. We currently offer products used in such electronic devices, as smartphones and tablets. We also offer a wide range of fields such as automobile and IT infrastructure/industrial equipment, where the application of IT and electronics is accelerating. For more information, please visit https://www.yuden.co.jp/ap/ .

For media enquiries, please contact: 

Manjit Kaur Balkar Singh (Ms)

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

Taiyo Yuden Announces Expansion Of Multilayer Ceramic Capacitors Production In Sarawak

Kuala Lumpur, 15 September 2021 – The Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA) and the Malaysia Semiconductor Industry Association (MSIA) hosted a webinar today on ‘Seizing the Next Wave of E&E Investment into Malaysia’. The webinar, which was broadcasted online, successfully attracted more than 350 participants, represented by manufacturers, service providers and potential investors.

Dato’ Seri Wong Siew Hai, President of MSIA welcomed the attendees and iterated that the webinar was important to emphasise that Malaysia is open-for-business, with continued and sustained discussions between the Government and electrical and electronics (E&E) companies to improve the ease of doing business in the country. This is part of the efforts to make Malaysia more competitive in the E&E sector and move up the global value chain.

Presently, Malaysia stands as a crucial global hub in the semiconductor global supply chain, with approximately seven (7) per cent of the total global semiconductor trade flowing through the nation. In 2020, the E&E exports recorded RM386 billion, accounting for 39.4 per cent of Malaysia’s total exports.

Mr. Arham Abdul Rahman, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of MIDA, in his Keynote Address highlighted the need for Malaysia to be in the forefront in seizing opportunities in the E&E, particularly the semiconductor segment. This is especially important as more global companies are seeking to capitalise on Malaysia to develop new technologies, venture into additional products and ramp up production capacities to meet the growing needs and demands of the industry.

“Malaysia welcomes investments of complex and high value-added products, intensification of R&D activities, adoption of digitalisation and new technologies. Malaysian companies are encouraged to participate in the greater E&E value chain, especially in closing the ecosystem gaps, such as in IC design, advanced IC packaging, engineering and testing services, as well as Electronic Manufacturing Services (EMS),” said Mr. Arham.

“Towards this, various stimulus packages, namely PENJANA were introduced to continue supporting new and existing industry players and promoting the development of industries in Malaysia. These massive allocations are necessary to help businesses and industries to retain workers, meet market demands and remain operational beyond the current economic climate. We are optimistic that these measures will solidify Malaysia’s position as a competitive and profitable investment destination in line with our National Investment Aspirations (NIA). In this regard, industry players are strongly urged to take the full advantage of all the packages available, particularly those offered through MIDA to facilitate investments and businesses.”

The webinar featured an expert forum between Mr. Arham; Mr. Gursharan Singh, Senior Vice President for Global Assembly and Test of Micron Technology; Mr. Ng Kok Tiong, Senior Vice President and Managing Director of Infineon Technologies Kulim Sdn. Bhd.; and Mr. Yogannaidu Sivanchalam, Country Managing Director of Texas Instruments Malaysia Sdn. Bhd. The panel was moderated by Dato’ P’ng Soo Hong, Vice President and Managing Director of Manufacturing Operations at First Solar Malaysia Sdn. Bhd.

Mr. Yogannaidu from Texas Instruments Malaysia remarked, “Given the long-term trend of semiconductors growth in electronics, and the fact that manufacturing is the main engine of Malaysia’s economic growth, the Government and industry players must seize this opportunity by improving Malaysia’s attractiveness as a global E&E investment destination.” Over its nearly 50-year history in Malaysia, Texas Instruments Malaysia has created thousands of jobs, including hiring graduates from local universities.

Drawing from Infineon’s 47 years in Malaysia, with activities comprising of wafer fabrication, assembly, test and R&D facilities, Mr. Ng Kok Tiong shared, “Malaysia has cost advantages and supportive economic environment, which continue to be very attractive for Infineon to expand its existing operations and R&D capabilities in new technologies. We are confident that our long-term presence will continue to position Malaysia in enhancing its global semiconductors supply chain hub.”

Mr. Gursharan Singh elaborated on Micron’s steady growth in Malaysia since 2018, “In the last decade, Malaysia has become critical to our global manufacturing footprint. Despite the pandemic, we have successfully established two facilities in two years in Seberang Perai (2019) and Batu Kawan (2020), Penang. With 99 per cent of our workforce recruited locally, Micron will continue to generate employment with our continued growth, and deeply engage in the communities where we operate.” Currently, with close to 4,000 team members, Micron, the global leader in memory and storage, plans to generate another 2,000 jobs over the next three (3) to four (4) years in Malaysia.

Companies interested to leverage Malaysia to establish their E&E operations may engage with MIDA’s E&E Division through www.mida.gov.my.

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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 MSIA

Malaysia Semiconductor Industry Association (MSIA) is an industry association which cover individuals and companies incorporated in Malaysia who are involved directly or related to Semiconductor Industry (Electronics and Systems), Semiconductor Industry supply chain, institutions providing significant related services to semiconductor industry such as engineering, finance, legal and those societies, associations, chambers and government – linked agencies. For more information, please visit http://www.msia.org.my.

For enquiries, please contact:

Azlina Hamdan (Ms.)
Email: [email protected] | DL: +603-2267 3791

Nur Aliah Manshor (Ms.)
Email: [email protected] | DL: +019-2844759

Malaysia Remains an Attractive Location For Semiconductor And E&E Companies

MITI and MIDA Committed to Ensuring Success of National Investment Aspirations and Robust and Sustainable Economic Recovery

Malaysia achieved robust and impressive performance for the first half of 2021 with foreign direct investments (FDI) soaring by 223.1 per cent compared to 1H 2020, signaling the confidence of foreign investors in the country’s stable and conducive economic climate and business ecosystem. This augurs well for Malaysia’s path to vibrant and sustainable economic recovery.

The stellar performance also demonstrates that Malaysia’s strategy of positioning the country as an attractive investment destination of choice and a supply chain hub in ASEAN, particularly for manufacturing operations, is showing positive results. FDI drove the strong and vibrant performance of the manufacturing sector during the period, registering RM58.2 billion in approved investments. The remaining RM8.7 billion approved investments in this sector were from domestic sources.

In terms of total approved investments, Malaysia recorded RM107.5 billion of FDI and domestic direct investments (DDI) in the manufacturing, services and primary sectors, chalking up a massive jump of 69.8 per cent compared to the same period last year. Achieved amidst a very challenging global economic landscape, the investments involved 2,110 projects and are expected to generate 44,994 job opportunities in the country.

Leveraging on the positive progress on the National Recovery Plan (NRP), improvement in the overall public health situation, and gradual reopening of economic sectors, Malaysia continues to attract high-value and high-tech investments, bolstered by our capacity and capability in providing high-skilled talents and firm readiness in adopting advanced technology for value-added industries.

In tandem with our National Investment Aspirations (NIA), Malaysia consistently pursues more capital-intensive projects and those that support the development agenda of the nation, consistent with Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) goals. This is reflected by the increasing number of capital-intensive projects approved by MIDA.
Simultaneously, there is an emphasis on creating jobs across a wide spectrum of skills for the rakyat. In this regard, the 367 manufacturing projects worth RM66.9 billion approved during the first half of 2021, will create 32,220 job opportunities in various positions and roles, leading on the path for high-value and skilled employment.

The workforce required for the approved investments include 1,367 managerial positions and 4,031 technical professionals such as engineers in the field of E&E, mechanical, chemical and other disciplines, reflecting the higher value chain transition of the manufacturing sector. The approved manufacturing projects will also require 4,144 skilled craftsmen. Meanwhile, domestic investments, leading in the services and primary sectors, totaled RM45.0 billion or 41.9% of the total approved investments.

Notable projects approved in 1H 2021 include Republic of Korea’s SK Nexilis project for a new copper foil manufacturing plant, Risen Energy’s proposed project to produce bi-facial technology solar products, and
OCIM’s proposed investment to expand the capacity of its solar grade polysilicon plant. These projects will not only further enhance Malaysia’s industry ecosystem but boost employment opportunities in the field of high-tech skills as well as enable local businesses to leverage on the global value chain.

Going forward, from the strategic vantage point of the NIA, we will continue to pursue high quality investments to bring value to the nation and people, not just in preserving jobs but in creating new high value-added employment. We are committed towards positioning Malaysia as the ideal partner for investors in the region, enhancing our economic complexity and propelling long term growth for Malaysia through the flow of sustainable quality investments in new and complex growth areas.

With the trajectory of Malaysia’s strong economic fundamentals, positive factors underpinning growth prospect as well as expected stronger external demand for our products, the Government is fully committed to ensuring robust and sustainable recovery, equitable economic growth and shared prosperity for Malaysia.

Dato’ Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali
Senior Minister
Minister of International Trade and Industry
13 September 2021

APPENDIX

Approved Investments in Malaysia Increased by more than 69 %, to Record RM107.5 Billion in the First Half of 2021

During the first half of 2021, Malaysia attracted a total of RM107.5 billion of foreign investments (FDI) and expanded domestic investments (DDI) approved in the manufacturing, services and primary sectors, representing an increase of 69.8 per cent compared to the same period of last year. The approved investments involved 2,110 projects and are
expected to generate 44,994 job opportunities in the country.

More than 58.1 per cent of the approved investments were from foreign sources, valued at RM62.5 billion. Singapore, Republic of Korea and the Netherlands were the top three foreign investment sources accounting for nearly 90 per cent or RM54.9 billion of the total approved FDI in the country.

Meanwhile, domestic investments totaled RM45.0 billion or 41.9% of the total approved investments. While FDI dominated the manufacturing sector, investments from Malaysian companies led in the services and primary sectors.

Five states – Kedah, Selangor, W.P. Kuala Lumpur, Sarawak and Johor – contributed RM85.0 billion (79.0%) to the total approved investments with a potential to create 31,395 jobs.

Manufacturing Sector

The manufacturing sector accounted for the largest share of the total investments in 1H 2021, amounting to RM66.9 billion (62.2%), followed by the services sector with RM34.1 billion (31.7%) and the primary sector with RM6.5 billion (6.1%).

A total of 367 manufacturing projects worth RM66.9 billion were approved in first six months of 2021, compared to RM36.4 billion in the same period last year. In terms of top-performing industries in 1H 2021, the electrical 5 and electronics (E&E) (RM47.1 billion), fabricated metal products (RM5.1 billion), chemicals and chemical products (RM3.8 billion), food manufacturing (RM3.7 billion) and rubber products (RM3.6 billion) made up 94.6 per cent of total approved investments for this sector.

The workforce required for the approved investments include 1,367 managerial positions and 4,031 technical professionals such as engineers in the field of E&E, mechanical, chemical and other disciplines, reflecting the higher value chain transition of the manufacturing sector. The approved manufacturing projects will also require 4,144 skilled craftsmen such as plant maintenance supervisors, tools and die makers, machinists, IT personnel, quality controllers, electricians and welders. The capital investment per employee (CIPE) ratio of the projects approved in 1H 2021
increased to RM2,077,245 from RM1,333,559 during the same period last year.

FDI drove the robust performance of the manufacturing sector during the period, registering RM58.2 billion in approved investments, soaring by 223.1 per cent compared to 1H 2020. The remaining RM8.7 billion approved investments in the sector were from domestic sources.

Notable projects approved in 1H 2021 include Republic of Korea’s SK Nexilis project for a new copper foil manufacturing plant, Risen Energy’s proposed project to produce bi-facial technology solar products in Malaysia, and OCIM’s proposed investment to expand the capacity of its solar grade polysilicon plant in Samalaju, Sarawak.

Services Sector

A total of 1,717 services projects were approved in 1H 2021. These projects are expected to create more than 12,400 job opportunities. The total investments approved in the services sector recorded an increase of nearly 30 per cent from the approvals recorded for the same period in 2020.

Domestic investments made up the larger portion, recording RM31.9 billion or 93.6 per cent of the total approved investments while the remainder, RM2.2 billion were from foreign sources.

The real estate sub-sector remains the largest contributor with RM14.9 billion, recording a 20.6 per cent increase from the corresponding period last year. Following the easing of restrictions on economic activities, the global establishments, support services, transport services, distributive trade, hotel and tourism, financial services and education services subsectors have also recorded increases during the period.

Primary Sector

The primary sector contributed RM6.5 billion or 6.1 per cent to the total approved projects in the first half of 2021. The mining subsector continued to lead with approved investments of RM6.4 billion, followed by plantation and commodities with RM79.8 million and agriculture with RM11.5 million. These investments are expected to create 278 job opportunities.

Investments from domestic sources took the lead in the sector with a total amount of RM4.4 billion or 66.9 per cent, while foreign investments contributed RM2.1 billion or 33.1 per cent.

Massive Jump in Approved Investments in Malaysia Signals Confidence of Investors

Kuala Lumpur, 8 Sept 2021 – The Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA) and Citibank Berhad (Citi Malaysia) today inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for a partnership to extend a financial platform and a seamless provision of end-to-end banking services by Citi Malaysia to new and existing foreign investors in Malaysia.

The MOU was signed virtually by MIDA Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Arham Abdul Rahman and Citi Malaysia Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Usman Ahmed.  The ceremony was also attended by Citi Malaysia’s Head of Corporate Banking, Ms. Zuliana Tann, Head of Global Subsidiaries Group, Mr. Biplab Banerjee and Head of Treasury and Trade Solutions, Mr. Abdul Jalil Jalaludin; as well as MIDA’s Deputy Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Sivasuriyamoorthy Sundara Raja, and Director of Foreign Investment Promotion, Mr. Faizal Jalaludin.

Mr. Arham Abdul Rahman, CEO of MIDA, appreciated the collaboration to stimulate active business environment in the current economic recovery.  He added, “In response to the changing global business landscape, Malaysia is adopting bold and impactful initiatives to encourage existing as well as new investors and industry players to induce new investments into the country. The MOU with Citi Malaysia signifies MIDA’s continuous commitment in pursuing high technology and high value-added investment projects according to the National Investment Aspiration (NIA) framework and goals of the 12^th Malaysia Plan in driving further economic growth. I trust this partnership will also boost the Government’s on-going efforts to position Malaysia as the pre-eminent preferred investment destination in the region”.

Citi Malaysia Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Usman Ahmed remarked, “Citi Malaysia is very pleased to partner with MIDA as we expand our institutional business in Malaysia and continue to present Malaysia as an attractive investment destination to our clients across the globe. Despite the challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic, we have witnessed significant growth in flows across key investment corridors as Malaysia continues to stand out as an important and competitive investment destination. Our Global Subsidiaries and Commercial Banking businesses have been at the forefront in facilitating these flows and the collaboration with MIDA will help both organisations to complement each other’s efforts.”

“We thank MIDA for this opportunity to work together to promote FDI and trade flows. As the world’s most global bank, Citi has a presence in 96 countries and does business in over 160 countries and through this MoU we look forward to harnessing the full potential of our network, world-class products and digital banking capabilities to further deepen our commitment to the country.” he added.

Citi Malaysia’s multinational clients operate in various industries spanning across the high-technology manufacturing, industrials, energy (including renewables), consumer, health care, services as well as hardware and software technology sectors.

Citi Malaysia is also one of the largest market makers for Malaysian Government Securities and is among the top foreign banks in Malaysia for Corporate Foreign Exchange, cross border cash management and institutional investor transactions.

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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 Citi

Citi, the leading global bank, has approximately 200 million customer accounts and does business in more than 160 countries and jurisdictions. Citi provides consumers, corporations, governments and institutions with a broad range of financial products and services, including consumer banking and credit, corporate and investment banking, securities brokerage, transaction services and wealth management.

Additional information may be found at www.citigroup.com | Twitter: @Citi |

YouTube: www.youtube.com/citi | Blog: http://blog.citigroup.com | Facebook: www.facebook.com/citi | LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/citi.

Media Contact:

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

Citi Malaysia:
Sara Yasmine Mohamed
Email: [email protected] | Tel.: +6012 2160022

MIDA Inks MOU with Citi Malaysia on Business Financial Facilitation

KUALA LUMPUR, 8 September 2021 – K-One MediTech Sdn Bhd (K-One MediTech), a wholly-owned subsidiary of K-One Technology Bhd (K-One), is set to develop and manufacture the NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory (NASA-JPL) licensed ventilators in Malaysia, in a bold determination to meet increasing demands and the changing global landscape of medical devices industry. The company’s research and manufacturing of enhanced models of ventilators will cater to a wider scope of applications for acute respiratory diseases, with add-on smart features such as Internet of Things (IoT), as well as value-add attributes to technological developments of medical devices industry.

Having secured the license to manufacture ventilators developed by NASA-JPL, K-One MediTech has also been awarded a matching grant by the Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA). With MIDA’s facilitation, K-One plans for future development and manufacture of ventilators, perhaps under its own brand. The grant will also support to obtain international markings, such as the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the European CE approvals in meeting the American and European standards, which reflects as the gold standard certifications.

Mr. Arham Abdul Rahman, Chief Executive Officer of MIDA expressed, “K-One’s achievement in being the only Malaysian company licensed to produce NASA-JPL’s ventilators, represents a huge leap of the local technological capability towards the production of more complex and high technology medical devices to meet the global demands. Given the escalating demands for ventilators worldwide in managing the Covid-19 pandemic, it is certainly an admirable feat for the company to commit and produce affordable ventilators, making them more accessible, in the fight against Covid-19. With the growing presence of MNCs in Malaysia, domestic manufacturers in the medical device supply chain are also being recognised globally”.

Dato’ Martin Lim Soon Seng, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of K-One, acknowledged, “We are honoured to be selected and awarded the grant in this challenging recovery period. We believe that the demand for ventilators is always there, even though the Covid-19 pandemic has boosted its requirements.”

He added that the Government support will catalyse and accelerate K-One’s efforts in achieving its aspirations to produce a novel Made in Malaysia ventilator of international standards. The Government’s strong backing will not only nurture the local companies to develop indigenous technology, but also facilitate in uplifting local talents, enhancing supply chain competencies and foreign exchange earnings via export growth.

K-One MediTech expects to benefit commercially from the enhanced ventilators production, while contributing to the domestic and global supply chains. The country should also aim to be self-reliant in ventilator supply through domestic production capacity, crucial in times of crisis. The development and manufacturing processes may also nurture specialised local technical expertise through collaborations with local universities and/or university hospitals, including trainings on specific medical protocols by medical device specialists.

The Government’s continuous commitment to attract high technology investment is reflected through a significant growth of the Malaysia’s medical devices industry over the last few years.  In 2020, the industry has contributed a total of RM6.1 billion worth of investments through 51 projects approved by MIDA. Today, Malaysia comprises over 200 manufacturers producing a broad range of products and equipment for medical, surgical, dental, optical and general health purposes. This has certainly made Malaysia an ideal investment destination, particularly as an outsourcing destination and a medical device manufacturing hub in ASEAN.

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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 K-One

K-One Technology Bhd, with subsidiary, K-One MediTech Sdn Bhd and other subsidiaries (jointly referred to as K-One), is a technology solutions provider driven by electronic manufacturing services (EMS) with focus on healthcare, own brand medical devices and cloud computing solutions. 

Media contacts:

MIDA:

Manjit Kaur Balkar Singh (Ms)

Email: [email protected] | Tel.: +603 2267 3509

K-One:

Choi Keng Mun

Email: [email protected] | Tel.: + 603 7728 1111

K-One Embarks on Ventilator Production, The First in Malaysia

KUALA LUMPUR, 6 September 2021 – The Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA) inks a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with SIRIM Tech Venture Sdn Bhd (STV) to enhance technology adaption within the domestic investment landscape in Malaysia. The virtual signing between Mr. Sivasuriyamoorthy Sundara Raja, Deputy Chief Executive Officer, Investment Promotion and Facilitation of MIDA and Mr. Ajmain Kasim Chief Executive Officer of SIRIM Tech Venture is seen as a significant milestone in the Government’s efforts to encourage industry players particularly domestic players and SMEs to step up into new technology and move towards implementing Industry 4WRD initiatives in their business processes.

Mr. Arham Abdul Rahman, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of MIDA expressed in his opening remarks, “We welcome SIRIM Tech Venture (or STV), a wholly owned commercialisation arm of SIRIM, to work closely with MIDA’s Domestic Investment Coordination Platform (DICP) in identifying and matching companies to adopt new production solutions. As we can attest to, the COVID-19 pandemic has invoked unprecedented disruptions and transformed the global economy landscape into the new norms, where companies need to re-evaluate their business models, embark on Industry 4.0 transformation and digitalisation to remain relevant in the market”.

“With huge presence of foreign investment projects in Malaysia, it is significantly important for the domestic industry players to be tech savvy in contributing within the supply chain network and meet the expectations of their clients. STV is ready to provide technology transfer training, technology consultation and evaluation services by Certified STV analysts to industry players including domestic companies to adopt new models, higher level of efficiency and productivity”, Mr. Arham added.

MIDA’s DICP team has so far, successfully linked three local companies to STV to initiate:

• Technical collaboration of a Virtual Pipeline System (VPS) in energy gas distribution for a bio-energy hub to monetise agricultural and industrial waste; while conducting pilot tests on the production of Bio Natural Gas (BioNG) from existing biogas power plants;
• Orchard Management and Integrated Tracking System for durian harvesting and processed products; and
• Technical advisory on renewable energy solutions on municipal solid waste, agriculture waste and livestock waste.

The presence of technical institutions such as SIRIM will certainly boost the support for companies’ technology adoption and technology expertise to progress into global outreach. Strategic collaborations contribute to the National Investment Aspirations (NIA) that foster innovation and sophistication, encourage sustained flow of quality investments in new and complex growth areas, create greater job opportunities and improve income prospects.

MIDA hopes the MOU would pave further feats for both parties to promote Malaysia’s technical expertise and to ensure easy access for the domestic companies to technology providers in their desire for higher efficiency and new business models. As a trusted business partner to investors, MIDA continues to facilitate domestic business networks.

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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

For more information, please contact :

Mr. Sukri Abu Bakar
Director, Domestic Investment and Supply Chain Coordination Division
03-2267 3685 | [email protected]

MIDA Inks MOU with SIRIM Tech to Enhance Technology Adaption Among Industries in Malaysia

Moving Businesses Towards Greater Innovation, Productivity & Efficiency

KUALA LUMPUR, 25 September 2018 –“Malaysia has emerged as one of the global trendsetters in textile and apparel wear. From the streets of Paris to the catwalks of New York, Malaysian designers have had the honour of creating clothing that have been worn by celebrities, members of royalty as well as heads of states. Going forward, we want to see more entrepreneurs adopting higher value-added processes and technologies. We want to build a stronger and more comprehensive ecosystem, one that focuses on talent, skills and innovation,” said Datuk Isham Ishak, Secretary General of the Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI) during the Fashion & Design Conference 2018 held at the Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA) today.

Datuk Isham also elaborated that Industry 4.0 technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT) have impacted both the front end as well as back end of the textile and apparel industry. “The digital transformation will open up opportunities for completely new and efficient business models. This can lead to more innovative and enhanced products, higher productivity and growth. Nonetheless, we understand that it is not easy for a company to transition into this digital era. The shifts within an organisation’s internal structure and operating processes will be challenging, but the transformation is necessary,” Datuk Isham added.

In continuing with the momentum from the Kuala Lumpur Fashion Week (KLFW) 2018, the full day event aims to create more awareness on the availability of new technologies, facilitate exchanges of information and encourage more value added activities towards bringing Malaysia’s fashion and design industry to the next level of development.

Dato’ Azman Mahmud, Chief Executive Officer of MIDA in his opening remarks said, “The textile and apparel industry has been a consistent contributor to the national economy in terms of investments and export earnings. In 2017, the industry was the 11th largest contributor for exports of manufactured goods, amounting to RM15.3 billion. During the same period, MIDA has approved 12 projects with total investments of RM428.8 million, mainly in the production of primary textiles, ready to wear garments, and textile accessories sub-sectors. These projects have generated a total of 1,850 job opportunities including skilled positions such as engineers, quality controllers and highly skilled technicians. I am also pleased to share that many international fashion brands such as Brook Brothers, Armani, Victoria Secret, Marks & Spencer, GAP, Adidas, Nike, Burberry and Ralph Lauren are being made in Malaysia.”

“We believe that many more Malaysian textile and fashion entrepreneurs are capable of becoming international players as we have many talents. Nevertheless, there are many practical steps that are needed in upscaling their businesses. Companies are encouraged to take advantage of the available facilities that MIDA offers such as the matching grant under the Domestic Investment Strategic Fund, Automation Capital Allowance (ACA) incentive to increase their productivity and moreover, quality,” added the MIDA CEO.

This Fashion & Design Conference 2018, which attracted about 300 participants, was organised by MIDA in collaboration with KLFW, Malaysia Design Council (MRM), UniKL, Mimpikita, Kelab Usahawan Artis Tanah Air (KUAT), Ernst & Young, Lewré Bespoke and Malaysia Textile and Apparel Centre (MATAC). It featured a talk titled‘Towards Fashion & Design Technology’ by Mr Jonathan Rees from Ernst & Young; a plenary session on ‘What’s Next’ moderated by Professor Emeritus Dato’ Dr. Ahmad Zainuddin, Chairman of MRM and a business networking session.

In efforts to promote Malaysian products and talents, there was a performance by rising Malaysian artist Ms Irene Catalina and a mini-showcase featuring products by local and multinational corporations such as KUAT, the Federation of Goldsmiths and Jewellers Associations of Malaysia, YaPEIM Gold, Noor Arfa Batik, B.U.M Equipment, Malaysian Textile Manufacturers Association (MTMA), Malaysian Garment Manufacturers Association (MGMA), Malaysian Knitting Manufacturers Association (MKMA), Malaysian Footwear Manufacturers Association (MFMA), Kraftangan Malaysia and MATAC. The showcase was also participated by industry solution providers ranging from full fledge manufacturing solution providers, 3D printing solutions and artificial intelligence. The companies include Siemens, Rockwell, Zul Design, TXMR, T.E.M. Engineering and Robopreneur.

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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 further information, please contact:-

Mdm Najihah Abas

Director, Building Technology & Lifestyle Division

[email protected] | 03-2267 6717

Malaysian Textile and Fashion Entrepreneurs to Leap to the Next Level

Encouraging Collaborations and Increasing Business Opportunities

KUALA LUMPUR, 19 September 2018 – Seven (7) Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) were signed between Malaysian and Taiwanese firms across various fields, namely food, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, textile, IT services, healthcare and traffic solutions during the Malaysia-Taiwan Industrial Collaboration Summit held at the headquarters of the Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA) today.

Among the MoUs signed include a collaboration between B.U.M. Equipment (Malaysia) and Taiwan’s Wonderful Power Co. Ltd. to develop functional fabric. With the MoU, both companies will not only involve in the exchange of information and market expansion, but will also explore innovative applications in the fashion industry supply chain.

Datuk Norazman Ayob, Deputy Secretary General (Trade) of the Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI) who graced the event said that the signing of the 7 MoUs is a good testament that Malaysia has the right conditions in place to attract foreign businesses in many areas. These collaborations can further step up cooperation and exchanges between Malaysia and Taiwan.

“Technology will continue to be the driving force of the changing landscape in businesses. Hence, it is important for our companies to incorporate new ways of doing things to remain competitive. Malaysia seeks to create a strong innovation climate that is driven by collaborations and technology transfers in high value added areas, such as ICT, design and development, and Internet of Things. Having the right incentives in place is also important. As we seek to become a producer country, one that can churn out high-tech products, we believe there is much our domestic players can learn from Taiwanese firms – especially in cultivating an innovation state of mind,” added the Deputy Secretary General (Trade) of MITI.

The full day event featured sub-forums and business matching sessions with focus areas on textile, food, pharmaceutical, cosmetics, smart city solutions and IT services. There was also a sharing session by representatives of YSP Malaysia, Logic Art, Willowglen and Asli Mechanical. Also present was Mr Ching-Ching Yang, Deputy Director General of the Industrial Development Bureau (IDB); Mr Lin Min-Ju, Vice Chairman of the Chinese National Federation of Industries (CNFI); Datuk N. Rajendran, Deputy Chief Executive Officer of MIDA; Dato’ Soh Thian Lai, President of the Federation of Malaysian Manufacturers (FMM); and Ms Anne Hung, representative of Taipei Economic and Cultural Office (TECO) in Malaysia. The event, which was jointly organised by CNFI and FMM, attracted over 300 participants ranging from the Taiwanese and Malaysian business community as well as government representatives.

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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 further information, please contact:-

Mr. Nelson Samuel Wilson

Director, Foreign Investment Promotion Division

03-2267 3787 | [email protected]

7 MoUs Inked at Malaysia-Taiwan Industrial Collaboration Summit

The present Surat Pengesahan MIDA (SPM) module in JPC online system https://jpc.online.mida.gov.my will no longer be available for the submission of application for SPM1 (Manufacturers), SPM2 (Hotel Operators) and SPM3 (Haulage Operators) effective 26 September 2019 (Thursday) at 2.00 pm.

This SPM module will be replaced/enhanced by the new online application system which is scheduled to go-live on 30 September 2019 via https://investmalaysia.mida.gov.my. In addition, the application for MRO-ST: Aerospace Maintenance, Repair & Overhaul (MRO) will also be available in this new platform (manual application will no longer be accepted).

Therefore, effective 30 September 2019 (Monday) at 9.00 am, companies can submit the following applications using the new system:

– Surat Pengesahan MIDA as a manufacturer in the Principal Customs Area (PCA);

– Surat Pengesahan MIDA as a company engaged in the hotel business;

– Surat Pengesahan MIDA as a haulage operator;

– Surat Pengesahan MIDA as an aerospace maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) company.

The user manual for the new online system will be available on 30 September 2019.

Note: Other modules under the JPC online system (applications for import duty and/or sales tax exemption on machinery / equipment / sample materials / prototypes / raw materials/ components) will gradually be incorporated into the new system. Applications for modules other than SPM need to be submitted via JPC online system, until further notice.

SPM Go-Live

Bukit Raja, Selangor, 3 September 2019 – “MIDA is excited to see Vinda Group’s commitment to fortify their presence in the region through the establishment of its new SEA Regional Headquarters, leveraging on their multiple growth enablers such as product innovation, human capital, market expansion and sustainability, supported by Malaysia’s vibrant industrial ecosystem,” said Dato’ Azman Mahmud, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA) in his speech, which was read by Mr. Mohamad Ismail Abu Bakar, Executive Director of Manufacturing Development (Resource), MIDA during the Official Opening Ceremony of Vinda Group’s Groundbreaking Ceremony for its New Southeast Asia (SEA) Regional Headquarters held at Bukit Raja, Selangor earlier today.

Vinda Group is a leading manufacturer of brandedhygiene products such as baby diapers, incontinence products and feminine protection products in Asia. Its new SEA Regional Headquarters is a commendable mega project by the company where two production sites and three warehouses in Malaysia are consolidated into one modern, state of the art facility in Bukit Raja, Selangor.

“We foresee that Vinda Group’s new Southeast Asia (SEA) Regional Headquarters will be a catalyst in boosting the development of its related products’ industry ecosystem in the country. It will also be able to provide its customers with better access to global markets and greater flexibility in service offerings,” said Dato’ Azman.

Dato’ Azman also commended the efforts undertaken by the Group to harness the potential of Industry 4.0, which is in line with the Government’s Industry4WRD initiative. “This will pave the way for enhanced productivity as well as the creation of high-value jobs that will contribute to Malaysia’s economic prosperity and societal well-being. We hope to see more companies to emulate Vinda Group and raise their bar in terms of best practices and productivity in the near future. This will in turn create better jobs for the country,” he added.

As of June 2019, MIDA has approved a total of 21 sanitary related products with investments worth RM2.3 billion of which RM2.2 billion was from foreign investments while the balance of RM125 million was from domestic sources. Vinda Group’s presence in Malaysia also represents the portfolio of companies with Swedish and Chinese participation, which have been among the top contributors of high value-added investments 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.

For more information:

Ms. Khamilah Mohd Yusoff

Director, Food Technology & Resource Based Industries Division Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA)

Tel: 03-2267 3651 | Email: [email protected]

Download:

Speech by CEO of MIDA_Vinda Ground Breaking

Malaysia Welcomes New Southeast Asia (SEA) Regional Headquarters of Vinda Group

The Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA)is set to be the main partner along side the Italy-ASEAN Association and The European House – Ambrosetti in organising the High-Level Dialogue on ASEAN – Italy Economic Relations 2020 in Kuala Lumpur, June next year. This exclusive dialogue and networking platform will be attended by key stakeholders from the public and private sectors of ASEAN and Italy, to explore opportunities towards generating mutually beneficial outcomes

26 September 2019, Milan, Italy – The Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA)is set to be the main partner along side the Italy-ASEAN Association and The European House – Ambrosetti in organising the High-Level Dialogue on ASEAN – Italy Economic Relations 2020 in Kuala Lumpur, June next year. This exclusive dialogue and networking platform will be attended by key stakeholders from the public and private sectors of ASEAN and Italy, to explore opportunities towards generating mutually beneficial outcomes.

The Italy-ASEAN Association was founded in 2015 to strengthen the relationship among Italy and South East Asia in seizing the reciprocal opportunities for both firms and institutions within the region. The European House – Ambrosetti, is a professional Group founded in 1965 boasting of a world-wide network of over 200 contacts on the highest level in various sectors.

At present, YB Datuk Darell Leiking, Minister of International Trade and Industry is on a working visit to Italy from 24-30 September 2019 to meet potential investors particularly in the aerospace, chemical, automotive and Industry 4.0 related sectors. In conjunction with the working visit, organised by MIDA, YB Datuk Darell met with Mr. Enrico Letta, President of Italy-ASEAN Association and a representative from The European House – Ambrosetti to discuss on the organisation of the Dialogue. His Excellency Dato’ Abdul Malik Melvin Castelino, Ambassador of Malaysia to Italy, and Dato’ Azman Mahmud, CEO of MIDA, were also present at the meeting.

MIDA is pleased that Malaysia has been chosen to be the host country for the High-Level Dialogue on ASEAN – Italy Economic Relations 2020, and is committed to ensure the success of the event. As the main partner, MIDA will provide the necessary assistance and facilitation to support the event and ensure its objective as an effective business networking and investment platform. The esteemed Dialogue is highly regarded in bringing together the brightest visionaries and competent opinion leaders of Italy and ASEAN to discuss innovative and relevant issues within the region.

According to Mr. Letta who is also the former Prime Minister of Italy, the Dialogue will involve more than 100 high-level participants from Italy, creating greater partnership and cooperation between ASEAN countries and Italy. In this borderless economic community, he looks forward to this event fostering good will and spurring synergy in the region by complementing ASEAN’s rapid growth with Italian high-tech capabilities. With the success of the last 3 editions, the 4th edition of the Dialogue in Kuala Lumpur is expected to be even more memorable as it coincides with Visit Malaysia 2020 and Malaysia hosting APEC 2020.

Italy represents the 9th largest investor from the European Union in the Malaysian manufacturing sector. As at 2018, 75 projects with Italian participation amounting to RM1.32 billion (USD354.22 million) have been implemented within the country, creating over 4,500 jobs. Among the portfolio of companies with Italian participation that have set up their operation in Malaysia include ST Microelectronics, AgustaWestland Malaysia (Leonardo), Fassi, TecnimontHQC, Unigra Food Processing Asia Pacific, Galperti Malaysia, Saipem, Vetrya, Coesia and Ansaldo STS.

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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.

Mr. Nelson Samuel

Director of Foreign Investment Promotion Division, MIDA

Tel: +603-2267 3783 | Fax: +603-2260 5488

E-mail: [email protected] / [email protected]

Mr. Awangku Fairulnazri Awangku Tajudin

Director of MIDA Italy

Tel: +39 02 8909 382 4 | Fax: +39 02 8909 545 418

E-mail: [email protected]

MIDA, Main Partner of High-Level Dialogue on ASEAN – Italy Economic Relations 2020, Kuala Lumpur