Domestic investments remain strong

Malaysian businesses remained committed to invest in the country’s manufacturing sector, chalking up some RM21.6 billion in approved investments in 2013 compared with RMRM20.2 billion in 2012.

The data was released yesterday by the Minister of International Trade and Industry, Dato’ Sri Mustapa Mohamed at the Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA) Annual Media Conference on Malaysia’s Investment Performance in 2013 in Kuala Lumpur yesterday.

Domestic investments accounted for some 41.5% of the total approved manufacturing investments of RM52.1 billion in 2013.

Of the total domestic investments, RM15.3 billion were for new investments while RM6.3 billion were for expansion and/or diversification.

Domestic investors had a strong presence in the Transport Equipment industry, which attracted the highest domestic investments of RM4.4 billion followed by Petroleum Products including Petrochemicals with RM2.9 billion, Rubber Products with RM2.8 billion, Food Manufacturing, RM2.1 billion and Chemical and Chemical Products, RM2 billion.

Malaysian businesses had also moved toward undertaking more research and development (R&D) activities as reflected in the grant approvals of some RM117.5 billion  under the RM1billion Domestic Investment Strategic Fund (DISF), accounting for some 36.8% of the total amount of grants approved last year.

Source: Malaysia Investment Performance Report 2013 and MIDA Media Statement 28 Feb 2014