KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia, April 28 (Bernama) -- The Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA) in collaboration with UOB Malaysia organised a virtual roundtable with a delegation team from Shenzhen, China to facilitate inbound investments from China’s major companies of high-value added sectors in the electrical and electronics (E&E), chemical, manufacturing and industrial sectors.  The roundtable was an invaluable platform for participants to gain insights into Malaysia’s latest economic developments, policies and potential investment opportunities post-pandemic. 
 
The Malaysian delegation was led by YB Senator Datuk Lim Ban Hong, Deputy Minister of International Trade and Industry, Malaysia (MITI), together with Mr Sivasuriyamoorthy Sundara Raja, Executive Director, Investment Promotion of MIDA and UOB Malaysia’s Managing Director and Country Head of Wholesale Banking, Ms Ng Wei Wei. 
 
China’s delegation comprised representatives from UOB China, MIDA’s offices in China (Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou), China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT) and potential investors from 20 China companies representing E&E, medical devices, automotive and chemical sectors. Also, in attendance were His Excellency Mr Beh Ching Chye, Consul General of Malaysia in Guangzhou, China; Madam Tang Jin, Deputy Director General, CCPIT Shenzhen and Ms. Adaline Zheng Jun, Managing Director and Country Head, Wholesale Banking, UOB China. 
 
In his Keynote Address, YB Senator Datuk Lim Ban Hong remarked, “Malaysia, as an open trading nation, was not spared from the COVID-19’s devastating impact. The best way to handle the present global economic headwinds is to increase cooperation and create mutually beneficial and sustainable growth, through trade and investments. Malaysia’s pro-business policies complement the Chinese Government’s push for increased China’s overseas investment and cooperation with other countries. I am sure that China’s investors will find Malaysia an exciting base to expand their overseas operations. I am confident that existing stakeholders will also attest to our commitment towards economic progress and business friendliness.  Hence, we look forward to welcoming more businesses, from both China and Malaysia to further collaborate together for mutually beneficial outcomes on its road to recovery post COVID-19.”
 
The Deputy Minister of MITI further elaborated that Malaysia’s value proposition in Southeast Asia as a profit centre for global companies, including those from China, cannot be overlooked. He shared, “Supported by a reliable and diverse local supporting industry, investors seeking to expand their production capacity in Malaysia can do so efficiently and with ease. Our young and quality talent pool that is well versed in multiple languages, including Mandarin and English, create an ideal business environment for our foreign investors. The Government, through MIDA in collaboration with our stakeholders will intensify efforts to attract projects that are high-value added, high-tech, knowledge and R&D intensive in line with our National Investment Aspirations to generate multiplier effects to Malaysia’s domestic industrial ecosystem.”
 
Malaysia welcomes investors from the Greater Bay Area in various sectors, including E&E, medical and pharmaceutical, automotive, machinery and engineering (M&E), as well as the forerunners in high technology segments such as biotechnology and, smart-home automation to explore the opportunities offered in Malaysia. 
 
The Deputy Minister of MITI added, “Despite the challenging global economic environment amid the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, Malaysia recorded RM164 billion in total approved investments, of which RM64.2 billion were from FDI sources. China was Malaysia’s main source of FDI at RM18.1 billion, or equivalent to a share of 28.2 per cent”. 
 
Speaking on behalf of UOB Malaysia, Ms Ng Wei Wei said, “Following a year of business and supply chain disruptions, we see opportunities for Malaysia to benefit from companies diversifying their supply chains into Southeast Asia. Apart from that, FDI into the country, including that from China, will be supported by Malaysia’s diversified economic potential, strong fundamentals and favourable demographics.”
 
“With our deep presence in Malaysia and Greater China, UOB is well-positioned to assist more companies from high-value sectors, especially from China’s Greater Bay Area to expand into Malaysia. At the same time, these companies can also capitalise on the vast opportunities along the regional trade corridors between Greater China and ASEAN. Our in-market presence, insights and expertise, coupled with the ecosystem partnerships we forge, we are confident to attract and to facilitate high value-added FDI from China to Malaysia and to stimulate the economy through quality job creation and trade activities,” she added. 
 
Since 2013, the Bank’s FDI Advisory Unit has supported more than 300 foreign companies to establish and to grow their businesses in Malaysia. The support enabled these companies to develop their market entry strategies and to navigate the complexities of doing business in a new country, as well as provided them with access to UOB’s financial products and services.
 
Following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with MIDA on 10 January 2020, UOB Malaysia has been working closely with MIDA to help companies from Greater China, Europe and within Southeast Asia to expand and invest in Malaysia and across the region.
 
To find out more about UOB’s FDI Advisory services, please visit https://www.uobgroup.com/fdi. 
             
About MIDA 
 
MIDA is the government's principal investment promotion and development agency under the Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI) to oversee and drive investments into the manufacturing and services sectors in Malaysia. Headquartered in Kuala Lumpur Sentral, MIDA has 12 regional and 20 overseas offices. MIDA continues to be the strategic partner to businesses in seizing the opportunities arising from the technology revolution of this era. For more information, please visit www.mida.gov.my and follow us on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn and YouTube channel.
 
About United Overseas Bank (Malaysia) Bhd
 
United Overseas Bank (Malaysia) Bhd (UOB Malaysia) is a subsidiary of Singapore-based United Overseas Bank Limited (UOB) and has had a presence in Malaysia since 1951. UOB Malaysia offers an extensive range of both conventional and Islamic banking services through its branches, subsidiaries and associate companies: corporate and commercial lending, investment banking, treasury services, trade services, cash management, home loans, credit cards, wealth management and bancassurance products.
 
UOB is a leading bank in Asia with a global network of more than 500 offices in 19 countries and territories in Asia Pacific, Europe and North America. Since its incorporation in 1935, UOB has grown organically and through a series of strategic acquisitions. UOB is rated among the world’s top banks: Aa1 by Moody’s Investors Service and AA- by both S&P Global Ratings and Fitch Ratings. In Malaysia, UOB Malaysia receives AAA/Stable/P1 financial institution rating from RAM Ratings.  
 
Over more than eight decades, generations of UOB employees have carried through the entrepreneurial spirit, the focus on long-term value creation and an unwavering commitment to do what is right for our customers and our colleagues.
 
We believe in being a responsible financial services provider, and we are committed to making a difference in the lives of our stakeholders and in the communities in which we operate. Just as we are dedicated to helping our customers manage their finances wisely and to grow their businesses, UOB is steadfast in our support of social development, particularly in the areas of art, children and education.  
 
For further information, please visit www.uob.com.my.

Associated material for the event can be found at https://tinyurl.com/sz2p9xhc
 
SOURCE: Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA)

FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT: 
Name: Manjit Kaur Balkar Singh (Ms)
Corporate Communications, MIDA
Tel: +603-2267 3509 
Email: manjit@mida.gov.my 
 
Name: Nizam Arop (Mr)
Strategic Communications and Brand, UOB Malaysia                           
Tel: 03-9195 2786/ 017-333 6329 
Email: nizam.arop@uob.com.my                                                  
 
Name: Averlyn Lim (Ms)
Strategic Communications and Brand, UOB Malaysia
Tel: 03-9195 2793 / 018-229 9168
Email: averlyn.limsl@uob.com.my  

--BERNAMA