KUALA LUMPUR, March 14 (Bernama) —“Malaysia is set to leverage on the improving trend of private investments bolstered by the positive sentiments arising from the new Government’s supportive policies and clear economic direction. This is reflected in the total approved investments in the manufacturing, services and primary sectors, which has increased from RM200.6 billion in 2017 to RM201.7 billion in 2018. To break it down further, investments approved for the period of January to June 2018 were valued at RM86.1 billion, while a total of RM115.6 billion investments were approved for the period of July to December 2018,” said YB Datuk Darell Leiking, Minister of the International Trade and Industry (MITI).
The ratio of foreign and domestic investments is in line with the Government’s aspiration for domestic investments to assume the pivotal role of driving Malaysia’s investment agenda. The pie was split with domestic direct investments (DDI) assuming 60.1% of the share at RM121.2 billion, while foreign direct investments (FDI) accounted for the remaining 39.9% or RM80.5 billion. Foreign investors continue to capitalise on uniquely Malaysian ecosystems and its regional synergies as FDI increased by 48% from RM54.4 billion in 2017.