Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA) has issued a media release entitled Malaysia Records RM42.8 Billion Approved Investments For The First Quarter 2022 – media release as follows:

Malaysia has attracted a total of RM42.8 billion (USD10.2 billion) approved investments in the manufacturing, services and primary sectors, involving 910 projects in January to March 2022. The foreign direct investments (FDI) remained the major contributor, at 65 per cent or RM27.8 billion (USD6.6 billion), while investments from domestic sources contributed 35 per cent amounting to RM15 billion (USD3.6 billion). The approved investments for this period will create 24,906 new jobs in the country.

During the period, the manufacturing sector continued to assume an important role in driving the country's economic recovery, accounting for more than half (70.1 per cent) of total approved investments of RM30 billion (USD7.1 billion), followed by the services sector at RM12.7 billion (USD3 billion) (29.7 per cent) and the primary sector at RM0.1 billion (USD40.4 million) (0.2 per cent).

Ericsson (NASDAQ: ERIC) has commissioned a new facility at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) that will expand its regional distribution capacity and the strategic role of Malaysia in the company’s ability to support the smooth operations of customer networks in the Asia Pacific region.

Catering to more than 20 countries, the Ericsson Distribution Center in Malaysia is responsible for the management of hardware inventory and spare parts in the Asia Pacific region.

The center manages inventory of new and serviced equipment as well as inventory replenishment, receiving equipment from other countries and delivering serviced equipment.

The new distribution facility will complement the Maintenance and Support Center in Malaysia, allowing Ericsson to improve delivery of support services to customers in the Asia Pacific region.

EUROCHAM Malaysia conducted a very engaging and productive healthcare sector committee together with YBhg Tan Sri Dato’ Seri Dr. Noor Hisham Abdullah, Director General, Ministry of Health Malaysia (MOH) today. In attendance for the healthcare sector committee meeting were Mr. Sven Schneider, CEO, EUROCHAM Malaysia, Dato Michael Wong, Board of Director, EUROCHAM Malaysia, Mr. Jordi Pol Ramon, Chairman, La Camara, Malaysian Spanish Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and the EUROCHAM Malaysia team, alongside other committee members that include:

- Dr. Emil Azril Bahari, General Manager, Government Affairs and Market Access, ASEAN, B Braun Medical Industries;

- Mr. Azhan Mokhtar, Senior Manager, Public Affairs, Fresenius Medical Care;

- Dr. Vicknesh Krishnan, Associate Medical Director, Fresenius Medical Care;

- Ms. Wuan Yin Liew, Head of Value & Access and KAM, Novartis;

- Ms. Amilia Arshad, Market Access and Pricing Lead at Bayer Co. (M) Sdn Bhd;

- Mr. Michael Leddin, Managing Director, Vamed Healthcare Services Sdn Bhd; and

- Ms. Meta Liaztiza Puteri, Corporate Affairs, KPJ Healthcare Berhad.

Participate in the EUROCHAM Malaysia Digital Economy Survey!

The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the process of digital transformation and added urgency for governments and businesses to respond. From micro-enterprises to multinational conglomerates, businesses in every sector and every region of the world are becoming increasingly dependent on information and communication technologies (ICTs) and a secure, stable, and trusted Internet to carry out their daily operations.

With this survey, EUROCHAM Malaysia and valued Bilateral/Associate Chambers seek to measure the digital approach and digital maturity of European and Malaysian organisations operating in Malaysia as well as better understand the impact of the pandemic on the digital transformation strategies of these organisations. Correspondingly, we would like to further understand the general sentiment on the digital economy.

MALAYSIA’S total trade with the European Union (EU) grew by 26% to US$43.5 billion (RM180.2 billion) in 2021.

Finance Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz said bilateral trade between Malaysia and the EU rebounded last year, despite the effects of the pandemic, and the EU remains an important trading partner to the country.

He added that Malaysia offers unparalleled advantages for businesses and investors, and acts not just as a gateway to the region, but to markets globally.

With that, the minister said Malaysia also welcomes initiatives by the European Commission to engage the Indo-Pacific region in establishing a more inclusive, multi-pronged and robust partnership between the EU and the region, through the EU Strategy for Cooperation in the Indo-Pacific.