SHANGHAI, Nov 6 — Chinese investors and companies are showing greater interest in Malaysia, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
“This is a very positive development,” he told Malaysian media after a roundtable session with over 20 industry leaders here today.
The Prime Minister said there were discussions on national policies, including on regulations and investment.
“I see rising enthusiasm and interest (shown by investors and companies from China),” he said.
Asked about potential investments secured during his visit, Anwar said: “We will announce the figure tomorrow.”
He started the day by attending a dialogue with Chinese investors, organised by Khazanah Nasional Bhd.
“It has been exhausting as there have been back-to-back meetings since morning, but I think it is beneficial,” he said.
Separately, the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) said Anwar engaged in several productive discussions with Chinese investors on the third day of his working visit to China.
The investors include Chengwei Capital, a prominent venture capital firm with proprietary global semiconductor expertise and resources; and NRL Capital, whose founders have played instrumental roles in the successful development of hi-tech industrial clusters in China.
The PMO said the discussions anchored on Malaysia’s centrality and its attractiveness as an investment destination given its talented workforce and supportive government policies.
It said Anwar also discussed potential collaborations with these investors with regard to investing in technology and innovation in Malaysia.
“These investors will look at collaborating with Khazanah Nasional in building next-generation Malaysian companies to further boost Malaysia’s prominence in global supply chains, particularly in high technology sectors.
“This will drive the Madani Economy vision of fostering innovation and making technology more accessible and inclusive to all,” the PMO said in a statement today.
Besides attending the dialogue and roundtable sessions, Anwar also met with several companies in one-to-one business meetings.
They comprised representatives from the Bank of China, SinoChem, SICC Co Ltd, Semcorp, and Zhejiang Jiahua Energy Chemical Industry Co Ltd.
He is set to depart for Beijing this afternoon.
He is accompanied by Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan, Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Tengku Zafrul Abdul Aziz, and Human Resources Minister Steven Sim Chee Keong.
Anwar’s working visit to China is at the invitation of Premier Li Qiang, to attend the 7th China International Import Expo (CIIE) in Shanghai.
CIIE is a trade fair organised by the China government that provides a platform for countries involved in the Belt and Road Initiative to promote and export goods and services to the country.
For 15 years since 2009, China has been Malaysia’s largest trading partner.
In 2023, total trade with China was valued at RM450.84 billion, contributing to 17.1 per cent of Malaysia’s global trade.
As of September, total trade stood at RM355.15 billion.
In the first half of 2024, 15 manufacturing projects were implemented with investments totalling RM1.2 billion.
This trip marks Anwar’s third visit to China as Prime Minister, after his maiden visit in March 2023 that was followed by another in September the same year.
However, this is his first visit to Shanghai.
His four-day working visit will end in Beijing tomorrow.
— Bernama
