KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia’s 11 trade and investment missions generated RM82.6bil worth of potential investments as of September this year, says the Investment, Trade and Industry Ministry (Miti).
Of the number, RM30.9bil or 37.41% of the investments have been approved while RM26.8bil or 32.45% is expected to be finalised this year.
“Some RM30.4bil (36.8%) is expected to be finalised between 2025 and 2027,” it said in a written reply in the Dewan Rakyat.
The missions this year were to Germany, France, Italy, Australia, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Japan, India, Singapore and Thailand.
Six of the 11 trade missions were headed by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, said Miti.As for 2023, the ministry said RM353.6bil worth of investments were generated through the 12 trade and investment missions held that year.
Of the number, RM32.8bil (9.28%) worth of approved investments is expected to create more than 6,400 job opportunities.
Some RM29bil worth of investments in 2023 is also expected to be finalised this year while the remaining RM289.4bil is targeted to be finalised between 2025 and 2027, said the ministry.
It explained that realised investments refer to projects that have commenced operations, in the process of building compounds or factories, or setting up machines and equipment.
“Factory projects also usually take between 18 and 24 months to be realised, depending on its complexity, scale and economic conditions,” it said.
Noting how larger investments take longer periods to realise, the ministry said it was monitoring the matter closely, as well as having strategic discussions with investors. It said the follow-up process is critical to ensure all committed investments can translate into implementation within an optimum time frame.