InvestKL attracts 12 MNCs in 2018, records RM2.3 bln investments
KUCHING: InvestKL has successful ly at tracted 12 innovative global multinational companies (MNCs), with approved and committed investment of RM2.3 billion while creating 1,399 jobs in 2018.
Its chief executive off icer Datuk Zainal Amanshah said the achievement brings the total MNCs that have been successfully attracted to 78 since 2011, with approved and committed investments of RM11.7 billion, as well as the creation of 11,693 regional high-skilled jobs.
“In the seven years from 20112018, RM6.63 billion or 57 per cent of the RM11.7 billion investments have been realised.
“In addition, 7,516 or 64 per cent of 11,693 high skilled regional jobs are already on the payroll.
“Of these 7,516 jobs, 80 per cent employed are Malaysians with an average annual income of RM110,124 or US$ 26,610 ( based on the exchange rate of US$1RM4.13),” he told a media briefing on InvestKL’s 2018 performance yesterday.
The 12 MNCs are Fortune 500 companies, namely Orange ( France), MetLi fe ( the US), Electrolux (Sweden), EY ( UK), Accenture ( Ireland), Persolkelly ( Japan/ US), China Paci f ic Construction Group, Wood ( UK), as well as hidden champions such as Pickles Auctions (Australia), United Imaging (China), and Bertling (Germany); and Zalora (Germany).
For 2019, InvestKL’s target is to attract 13 MNCs, with a focus on those from the US, Europe, China, Japan and South Korea.
“These countries are strong in the six sectors that we are pursuing. These sectors are smart technologies, consumer
In the seven years from 2011-2018, RM6.63 billion or 57 per cent of the RM11.7 billion investments have been realised. Datuk Zainal Amanshah, InvestKL chief executive officer
technologies, e- commerce, medical devices, industrial automation, as well as energy and renewables.
“InvestKL remains focused on attracting high-value, high-skilled 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,” he added.
Zainal said that investors are positive about Industry 4.0 which aims to make Malaysia the prime destination for manufacturing and services.
The initiative’s blueprint outlines concrete measures and enhances the country’s value propositions to investors in areas such as artificial intelligence, big data analytics, Internet of Things, cloud computing and cybersecurity.
“The government is committed to strengthening ecosystems around Industry 4.0. Certainly, investors welcome the RM5 billion allocated under Budget 2019 to support measures to accelerate the adoption of Industry 4.0 especially in areas of talent development, research & development, and encouraging industries to utilise artificial intelligence.
“InvestKL continues to support these initiatives in two areas – talent, and small and medium enterprise (SME) development,” he said.