Anwar’s visit to Japan attracts RM6.56bil in potential investments

TOKYO, Dec 18 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s working visit to Japan in conjunction with the ASEAN-Japan Commemorative Summit has managed to attract potential investments worth RM6.56 billion.

Based on the meetings with parties there, including Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, Anwar said it is clear that the Malaysia-Japan relations are now seeing a new shift in terms of investment, trade, education and technology cooperations.

“The visit to Japan has been a success to be proud of, managing to attract potential investments valued at RM6.56 billion,” he told a press conference at the end of his visit to Japan here on Monday.

Along with potential investments worth RM23 billion secured during the previous Malaysian delegation’s visit to Japan in June, it brings the cumulative potential investments from visits to the Land of the Rising Sun to RM29.56 billion. 

Three Japanese corporations with investments in Malaysia, namely Rohm Wako, NEC Co Ltd and Mitsui & Co, have also conveyed their willingness to increase investments during one-on-one meetings last Saturday.

Anwar said the potential investments could be in the form of new investments or expanding existing investments

Last Saturday, Anwar had a face-to-face meeting with the three Japanese corporate companies and  industry leaders.

When asked about the sectors involved in the potential investments worth RM6.56 billion, Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry (MITI) Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz who was with Anwar at the press conference replied that it involved the renewable energy, electricity and electronics, chemistry and digital sectors.

Anwar said Japanese investors are now more confident in Malaysia and some told him that the Japanese media also published a lot of positive reviews about the country.

Japanese companies including SMEs have shown very encouraging response, among which is Rohm Wako which has investments in Kota Bahru, Kelantan.

He has assured the company that the government will provide the necessary infrastructure to enable them to add a large second-stage investment.

“Since they have been investing there for a long time and are now waiting for the federal government’s green light on whether the investment can be expanded, I have strongly encouraged them and the request will be expedited by MITI as soon as possible.

“They are also satisfied with the discipline and work ethics of the people in Malaysia,” he said, referring to another attraction for investors.