Amazon Web looks at developing data centres in M’sia

SEATTLE: Amazon Web Services Inc (AWS) is committed to realise Malaysia’s potential as a data hub in South-east Asia and is expected to make a major investment this year to develop data centres in the country.

Senior Minister of International Trade and Industry Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali said the government has given approval to AWS to invest in the country.

However, he said, AWS has informed that it still has some things to iron out with the Malaysian Investment Development Authority, International Trade and Industry Ministry (Miti) and Finance Ministry (MOF).

“As this involves high-quality new technology, the government is prepared to study the requests made by AWS in order to encourage quality investments into Malaysia.

“We are discussing several new incentives which are more innovative and attractive to AWS, so that it will build more data centres in Malaysia,” the minister told Bernama and TV3 after meeting representatives of AWS here.

AWS is a pioneering giant in the provision of cloud computing services.

He added that the discussion on Tuesday has resulted in a better understanding of the incentives that AWS requested, which are being considered by Miti and MOF.

“We are confident that the negotiation process will be finalised soon because for Malaysia, this investment is very important to accelerate the digital technology transformation process in the country,” Azmin said.

Prior to the meeting with AWS, Azmin also met with representatives of Microsoft Corp, where the company said it is committed to train local talent via the “Bersama Malaysia Microsoft” initiative that was launched in April 2021.

“I have been informed that almost 500,000 local workers have been trained since the beginning of this year, and I am confident the target to train over one million local workers would happen by 2023,” he added.

Azmin said Microsoft and AWS are also prepared to provide input to the government in its efforts to enhance the country’s competitiveness in the digital economy.

“The presence of these companies surely will accelerate the transformation and adaptation of digital technology, which will help generate sustainable growth in the country.

“Such investments are in line with the aspirations of the Mydigital policy, which aims to provide Malaysians access to digital technology, especially industries including the small and medium enterprises (SMES),” the minister added.

On his meeting with Ammex Corp, Azmin said the company is prepared to expand its glove imports from Malaysia.

About 60% of its glove imports are sourced from the country.

“We have identifed seveal local glove makers to meet the company’s demand.

“This will help to enliven manufacturing activities in our country, especially among SMES,” he added. — Bernama