KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 4 — Malaysia has demonstrated its resilience and continued appeal to investors amid the global economic uncertainty by attracting a substantial 18 per cent year-on-year increase in approved investments to RM160 billion across the services, manufacturing, and primary sectors from January to June 2024 (1H 2024).

This surge in investment was backed by a substantial 2,948 investment projects, which are expected to create 79,187 new job opportunities.

"Malaysia’s strong investment performance of RM160 billion, representing an 18 per cent year-on-year increase in the first half of 2024 is a testament to our commitment to creating a pro-investment, business-friendly environment that fosters industrial transformation and economic growth,” Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry (Miti), Datuk Seri Tengku Zafrul Abdul Aziz said today in a statement.

He said Asean is forecast to grow at 4.6 per cent in 2024 and 4.7 per cent in 2025 on solid improvement in both domestic and external demand, and Malaysia is determined to capture this growth.

"The 1H 2024 approved investment figures reflect how investors appreciate Malaysia’s clear policies that provide a conducive landscape for companies to thrive. Driven by our robust frameworks, such as the New Industrial Master Plan 2030, the National Semiconductor Strategy and the Green Investment Strategy, more and more global businesses have begun to recognise Malaysia’s vast potential,” he added.

"Miti and the Malaysian Investment Development Authority (Mida) will continue to market Malaysia’s increasing appeal as a regional manufacturing or services hub to attract high-quality investments and drive sustainable economic growth while ensuring more business opportunities for our SMEs and higher-skilled jobs for Malaysians,” he said.

Miti said domestic investments (DI) took the lead in 1H 2024, making up a significant 53.4 per cent of the total approved investments, valued at RM85.4 billion.

"This is a clear sign of domestic businesses’ continued growth and confidence in the country’s economic policies. In contrast, foreign investments (FI) accounted for 46.6 per cent of the total approved investments, worth RM74.6 billion.”

It noted that while both domestic investment and foreign investment play an important role in supporting Malaysia’s economy, the marked increase in domestic investment’s contribution to the country’s growth is a clear indication of local businesses’ confidence.

The top five states that attracted the most investment in Malaysia are Kuala Lumpur (RM37.6 billion), Selangor (RM35.0 billion), Kedah (RM31.9 billion), Pulau Pinang (RM13.1 billion), and Johor (RM12.9 billion).

A stable Madani government and a robust business-friendly environment are among the key value propositions for Malaysia to continuously attract foreign investments.

Austria led the approved investments with RM30.1 billion, followed by Singapore with RM16.5 billion, China (RM9.8 billion), the Netherlands (RM4 billion), and Taiwan (RM2.4 billion).

Malaysia’s manufacturing sector has emerged as a bright spot in the country’s economic landscape, attracting RM60.1 billion in approved investments in the first half of 2024. This represented a 34.1 per cent increase from the RM44.9 billion recorded in the same period last year, indicating a strong rebound in investor confidence, said the ministry.

Electrical and electronics (E&E) is the major industry underpinning Malaysia’s manufacturing economic growth with approved investments of RM36.9 billion. — Bernama