Malaysia remains a competitive investment location for German companies

KUALA LUMPUR – The Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA) kick-started the year 2021 with a courtesy visit from the newly appointed Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany to Malaysia, His Excellency Dr. Peter Blomeyer.

Germany has been Malaysia’s largest foreign investor from the European Union. As of June 2020, a total of 461 manufacturing projects with German participation have been implemented with total investments of USD9.36 billion (RM33.31 billion). The projects have created 47,277 jobs.

Dato’ Abdul Majid Ahmad Khan, Chairman of MIDA said that “His Excellency and I discussed a host of prolific issues that need attention for both countries to continue its goods-to-people mobility, despite the continuing pandemic concerns. The closely-linked business communities from both sides urgently need to commute with the acceptance of stringent SOPs in place.

“MIDA has been working tirelessly with the embassies and foreign chambers to ensure that investors are provided adequate assistance to the necessary approval and access to make well-informed investment and business decisions across various markets.”

At the meeting, His Excellency Dr. Peter Blomeyer highlighted that existing German companies operating here find Malaysia as an attractive hub in Asia Pacific. In addition, the German business communities also welcome the decision to exempt advertising requirement for positions namely investors, company owners, C-suites, expatriates for Regional Offices as well as for intra-company transfers.

His Excellency also wished to explore collaboration with local training institutions in boosting their training capabilities and facilities in human capital development by offering German Dual Vocational Training (GDVT) programmes in Malaysia.

Furthermore, His Excellency reiterated his team’s support for the business continuity of existing German companies as well as to encourage more German companies to expand their overseas operation as Malaysia is one of the most developed and matured manufacturing and related services countries in the region. This ecosystem provides a competitive advantage for the German companies’ to locate their projects in Malaysia.

Dato’ Abdul Majid also briefed on MIDA’s plans to organise a Trade and Investment Mission and working visit to Europe including Germany once the border controls are streamlined and opened for business travellers.