INVESTKL AIMS TO ATTRACT 100 MNCS TO SPUR DIGITAL ECONOMY

By Anas Abu Hassan

KUALA LUMPUR, April 28  -- InvestKL Corporation, a government investment promotion agency, has set a target to attract 100 multinational corporations (MNCs) into Malaysia to develop a robust ecosystem in digital economy over the next few years. 

Chief executive officer Muhammad Azmi Zulkifli said Malaysia’s digital economy development opens many opportunities in e-commerce and digital trade, enabling greater economic integration and robust innovation. 

"We at InvestKL, through the Greater Kuala Lumpur Live Lab initiative, attracts foreign MNCs to elevate competitive advantage for quality, innovation-led and knowledge-intensive investments," he told Bernama in an e-mail interview, recently.

Muhammad Azmi said the newly-announced National Investment Aspirations (NIAs) policy is set to attract high-quality investments from the technology, innovation, and sustainability space into the country. 

"Some key industries that were identified through the Greater KL Live Lab include technology products and services, medical technology, autonomous vehicles, pharmaceutical or medical testing and clinical trials, and other emerging technologies.

"These high tech, digital activities are aligned with the environmental, social and governance goals and aspirations," he said. 

Muhammad Azmi said more global technology giants and MNCs are looking to ramp up their presence in Southeast Asia, with Malaysia offering an attractive base for regional investment.

"This has stood Malaysia in good stead to attract high-impact foreign direct investments (FDIs), which include major technology companies from around the world, such as Nutanix’s recently announced APAC Partner Support Centre.

"As more high-growth companies establish their presence in Greater Kuala Lumpur, the ecosystem and value chain cycle for high-tech and innovative-based companies will strengthen, playing its part in expediting digital transformation that will be the bedrock for advancing the country’s digital ambitions," he added.

Muhammad Azmi noted that InvestKL has facilitated several successful synergies between MNCs, local academia, and small and mid-size companies. 

"These companies will expand and hire, which will create more jobs for Malaysians, boosting productivity and the domestic economy, and in turn boost economic growth,'" he said. 

-- BERNAMA