Acknowledgement 
YB Datuk Darell Leiking
Minister of International Trade and Industry
 
YB Dr.Ong Kian Ming
Deputy Minister of International Trade and Industry
 
YBhg. Dato’ Sri Norazman Ayob
Deputy Secretary General (Trade) of MITI
 
Your Excellencies Ambassadors,
Members of the Media,
 
Distinguished Guests,
 
Ladies and Gentlemen,
 
Assalamualaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh, salam sejahtera and good afternoon.

Welcome to MIDA’s Annual Media Conference (AMC) 2019. We are honoured to have YB Datuk Darell Leiking to join us today and announce Malaysia’s 2018 investment performance. This is an important event to mark the efforts of MIDA and other relevant agencies in attracting investments in the country.
 
Our theme for this year’s AMC is “Inspiring Technological Transformation”. It reflects MIDA’s focus in promoting high technology, knowledge-intensive and quality investments in Malaysia. This in line with our National Policy on Industry 4.0, Industry4WRD.
 
Initiatives are being undertaken towards this objective. MIDA has been engaging with industry players and technology solution providers, such as Siemens to assist companies preparing for digitalisation and translate these engagements into tangible solutions for the companies.
 
As part of our talent development efforts, we have started the Apprenticeship Programmes in collaboration with the Federation of Malaysian Manufacturers (FMM) and the Ministry of Education (MoE). This will contribute to addressing the shortage of technical skills in the country. We are honoured to have YB MITI Minister to officiate the convocation ceremony of the first batch next week.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

MIDA has also organised outreach programmes in 2018. This includes the Trade and Investment Missions, MIDA Invest Series, Industrial Park Forums and Industrial Linkages Programmes as well as various domestic initiatives under the SME Investment Desks at our state offices.
 
We have recently set-up a dedicated team, namely the Investment Coordination Platform (ICP) to assist local companies or SMEs by bridging or narrowing their financial and technology gaps. The unit works closely with equity and corporate advisory firms as well as local regulators and technology providers in assisting companies to conduct business-to-business matching, capital raising exercise through debt and equity, merger and acquisitions, divestment and initial public listing or IPO.
 
The ICP team has engaged with over 160 manufacturing, services, and plantation companies and 50 strategic technology and funding partners. As to date, 40 business-to-business meeting sessions have been conducted between anchor companies and their respective local counterparts to discuss strategic collaborations. Notably, the team’s IPO services have enabled a local steel company to meet the requirements for listing on the ACE market of Bursa Malaysia.
 
Additionally, we have introduced MIDA’s i-Services Portal to promote the usage of local service providers. I would like to encourage domestic companies to make use of this cost-efficient platform to showcase your capabilities and expertise. This gateway will serve to assist companies in expanding their markets and further boost business activities.
 
Ladies and Gentlemen,
 
Before I end, I would like to thank all stakeholders including Government agencies, embassies, business chambers and industry associations for their contribution in supporting us to achieve Malaysia’s economic goals.
 
The work does not stop here as we are doubling our efforts to sustain a competitive business environment, and create wealth that translates to tangible benefits felt by all Malaysians.
 
On that note, I would like to now invite YB Datuk Darell to announce Malaysia’s Investment Performance for 2018.
 
Thank you.