Kuala Lumpur: The Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry (MITI) is aiming for a five per cent increase in approved investments for Malaysia in 2025, surpassing last year's record of RM378.5 billion.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz announced that the goal aligns with the country's projected gross domestic product growth of 4.7 per cent this year. He emphasized that the target considers geopolitical and trade shifts affecting supply chains, as well as technological advancements like automation, artificial intelligence, and the Internet-of-Things that are transforming industries.
Tengku Zafrul also highlighted the impact of state-driven policies and subsidies as nations vie for investments, along with the global shift towards sustainability, in shaping the economic landscape. He noted that the RM378.5 billion in approved investments for 2024 marked a 14.9 per cent increase from the previous year, spanning 6,700 projects across the manufacturing, services, and primary sectors, creating over 207,241 new jobs.
Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA) CEO Datuk Sikh Shamsul Ibrahim Sikh Abdul Majid stated that MIDA remains focused on attracting high-quality investments aligned with national priorities. He emphasized the importance of investor engagement, public-private partnerships, and the adoption of advanced technologies to maintain competitiveness.
Sikh Shamsul added that MIDA aims to centralize investment promotion across agencies and regional corridors, enhancing coordination and increasing implementation rates to create a seamless experience for investors.
Tengku Zafrul further pointed out that 55 per cent of the approved investments, amounting to RM208.1 billion, were from domestic investors, while foreign investments accounted for 45 per cent. He identified the United States, Germany, China, and Singapore as top foreign investors, with Selangor, Kuala Lumpur, Johor, Kedah, and Penang emerging as leading investment destinations within Malaysia.
Looking to the future, MITI plans to boost investments from Turkiye and Brazil, particularly in aerospace and automotive sectors, leveraging Malaysia's advanced semiconductor industry to collaborate with these countries' industries.