New Straits Times

InvestKL wooed 12 MNCs with RM2.3b approved investment­s

- Farah Adilla

KUALA LUMPUR: InvestKL attracted 12 multinatio­nal corporatio­ns (MNCs) with approved investment­s of RM2.3 billion last year.

This brings the total number of MNCs to 78 with approved investment­s of RM11.7 billion since 2011.

InvestKL chief executive officer Datuk Zainal Amanshah said between 2011 and last year, RM6.63 billion, or 57 per cent of the RM11.7 billion investment­s, had been realised.

“Despite being clouded by several external factors, including uncertaint­ies in the United States and Europe, the US-China trade war and Brexit, Malaysia continues to attract MNCs due to its strong fundamenta­ls.

“Kuala Lumpur remains a key investment destinatio­n. Our fundamenta­ls remain strong and stable. Malaysia has considerab­le advantages in terms of location, infrastruc­ture quality and resources,” he said at a briefing on InvestKL’s performanc­e, here, yesterday.

The 12 MNCs are Orange of France, MetLife of the US, Electrolux of Sweden, Accenture of Ireland, Persolkell­y of Japan and the US, China Pacific Constructi­on Group and United Imaging of China, Wood of the United Kingdom, Pickles Auctions of Australia, and Bertling and Zalora of Germany.

In 2017, InvestKL attracted 12 MNCs with approved investment­s of RM2.2 billion.

For this year, Zainal said InvestKL had targeted 13 MNCs.

“InvestKL remains focused on attracting high-value, highskille­d and innovation-led investment­s to create quality jobs for Malaysians.

“Despite a slower global economy and the US-China trade tensions, our investment pipeline is resilient as investment decisions are made over a longer period. We are confident of attracting similar investment­s this year,” said Zainal.

InvestKL is focused on attracting MNCs from the US, Europe, China, Japan and South Korea.

“These countries are strong in the six sectors we are pursuing — smart technologi­es, consumer technologi­es, e-commerce, medical devices, industrial automation, energy and renewables.”

Zainal said investors were positive about the Fourth Industrial Revolution blueprint, which aimed to make Malaysia the prime destinatio­n for the manufactur­ing and services industry.

 ?? MOHAMAD SHAHRIL BADRI SAALI PIC BY ?? InvestKL chief executive officer Datuk Zainal Amanshah says Kuala Lumpur remains a key investment destinatio­n.
MOHAMAD SHAHRIL BADRI SAALI PIC BY InvestKL chief executive officer Datuk Zainal Amanshah says Kuala Lumpur remains a key investment destinatio­n.

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