Clear and consistent policies key to attracting foreign investments, says Fahmi
Speaking at a gathering with the Malaysian diaspora on Sunday, Fahmi cited the Madani Economy framework, the 12th Malaysia Plan, the New Industrial Master Plan 2030 (NIMP 2030), and the National Energy Transition Roadmap (NETR) as examples of coherent policies that inspire investor confidence.
"These policies provide clarity and assurance to investors. They trust that such policies won't be changed arbitrarily," he said.
He pointed to recent data from the Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM) and the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry (MITI) as proof that Malaysia continues to be a preferred destination for foreign direct investment.
In fact, according to the Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA), approved investments for the first quarter of 2025 totalled RM89.8bil, a 3.7% year-on-year increase, despite global economic headwinds.
The gathering, held at Rumah Malaysia here, was attended by around 50 Malaysians, including students, professionals, and staff from the Permanent Mission of Malaysia to the United Nations.
Also present was Malaysia's Permanent Representative to the UN in Geneva, Datuk Nadzirah Osman.
During the event, Fahmi also highlighted Malaysia's progress in the communications sector.
"Malaysia is among the top 10 countries in the world with the cheapest internet, and we have the second fastest internet speed in the Asia-Pacific region after South Korea," he noted.
Meanwhile, Nadzirah welcomed the gathering, saying it gave Malaysians in Geneva a chance to engage directly with the minister and hear updates from home.
"This programme allows the Malaysians in Geneva to share views with the minister and receive first-hand updates on current developments back home," she said.
Syakira Ramli, President of the Malaysian Association of Geneva, said various topics were discussed during the gathering, including areas where Malaysia could improve by learning from Switzerland's strengths.
"Switzerland is very strong and keen on administration and keeping track of advancement as well as making progress, as a society, and moving forward in the financial, education or even infrastructure," she said.
For Malvyn Tan, Head of Commercial Fuel at the International Air Transport Association (IATA), the gathering provided an opportunity for the Malaysian diaspora to share feedback and express their views.
"I think Fahmi is very open and receptive, and this made us very comfortable to share our experiences while he shares the development in Malaysia," he said.
Fahmi is currently leading the Malaysian delegation to the World Summit on the Information Society+20 High-Level Event (WSIS+20), which will be held here from July 7 to 11, as part of the Madani Government's ongoing efforts to strengthen an inclusive national communications technology ecosystem aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). - Bernama
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Sun
37 minutes ago
- The Sun
Airbus Helicopters signs MoUs with key players in Malaysian aerospace and defence sectors
PETALING JAYA: Airbus Helicopters has signed two memorandums of understanding (MoU) with key players in the Malaysian aerospace and defence sectors – one to foster industrial cooperation in aerospace technologies and another to enhance military helicopter maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) capabilities – underscoring their shared commitment to innovation and regional security. The agreements were signed in Paris in the presence of Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin, during an official visit to France. Under the first agreement, Airbus Helicopters and the Coalition of Defence Industry Malaysia – CDI (M) – plan to pursue industrial opportunities with the latter's member companies specialising in aerospace and defence development. The MoU marks the first of its kind between Airbus and the Malaysian defence industry, establishing a dedicated framework to drive military helicopter innovations, growth and development in the local defence sector. Under the second agreement, Airbus Helicopters will partner MRO service provider Global Turbine Asia (GTA) to advance in-country helicopter component MRO capabilities. This strategic collaboration aims to strengthen Malaysia's defence ecosystem and accelerate industrial growth in alignment with the nation's plans to acquire new helicopters for its armed forces and related governmental agencies. 'I am looking forward to deepening the collaboration with major European industries, building on the Malaysian aerospace industry's enduring partnerships with leaders like Airbus. We are committed to reinforcing these relationships and exploring new areas of cooperation, ensuring sustained innovation, growth, and long-term value for all stakeholders,' said Global Turbine Asia executive chairman and CDI (M) president Datuk Nonee Ashirin Datuk Mohd Radzi. Airbus Helicopters Asia-Pacific head Vincent Dubrule said, 'These partnerships underscore Airbus' strong commitment to Malaysia's long-term goal of building a resilient, self-reliant defence ecosystem. By deepening local industrial growth and expanding MRO capabilities, we are strengthening the nation's aerospace and defence sectors, supporting technological advancement and enabling greater industrial sovereignty. 'As Malaysia looks to acquire helicopters for key missions like tactical support, combat search-and-rescue, and anti-surface warfare, these partnerships aim to strengthen local expertise, promote technology transfer and build autonomy. Airbus sees CDI (M) and GTA as trusted partners aligned to advance these priorities.'
The Sun
an hour ago
- The Sun
Proton ends first six months of 2025 with increased market share
PETALING JAYA: Proton has closed its books for the first six months of the year with an increased share of the Malaysian automotive market. Group sales in June amounted to 11,069 units, a slight increase over the same month in 2024, while total year-to-date (YTD) sales totalled 72,156 units, the second highest in the industry. Market share for the month is estimated to be at 20.7%, an increase of 1.1% over the previous month and 1.2% ahead of the YTD figure of 19.5%. Conversely, total industry volume (TIV) is estimated to have closed at 53,500 units in June, a reduction of 21% compared to the TIV figure of 68.007 in May. One of the constants for Proton's sales performance has been the strong performance of its B-segment SUV model, the Proton X50. Launched in October 2020, over 140,000 units have been sold in Malaysia and overseas markets, firmly cementing its position as the sales in its class for five years in a row. For June 2025, 1,657 units of the Proton X50 were sold, keeping it ahead of all competitors in the class. The total includes 353 units for the export market where the model accounts for 47% of the company's total export volume. For the first half of the year 11,361 units have been sold, marking an increase of 11.3% over the first six months of 2024. While sales of the current model remain strong, Proton is launching an all-new Proton X50 this month. Depressed market conditions in June resulted in lower sales compared to May but there were three Proton models that ended the month as segment leaders. One of these was the Proton X50 while the other two were the Proton X90 and Proton S70, which continued to lead the D-segment SUV and C-segment sedan markets, respectively. The model with the highest sales growth figure for the first half of 2025 is the Proton X70. 'After performing strongly in May, automotive sales dropped by 15,000 units in June due to external factors such as rising tensions in the Middle East and the expansion of the scope of SST affecting buyer sentiment. Despite this, Proton managed to outperform the market to increase our market share percentage ahead of a busy second half of the year where we have a full slate of events and model introductions. With new models arriving in our showrooms, the outlook is for the company to have a stronger second half to 2025 as we seek to increase sales for our ICE and EV offerings,' said Proton Edar deputy CEO Zhang Qiang.
The Sun
an hour ago
- The Sun
German companies in Malaysia remain strongly optimistic: MGCC survey
PETALING JAYA: German companies operating in Malaysia remain highly confident in the country's business environment, according to the latest World Business Outlook Spring 2025 Survey conducted by the Malaysian-German Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MGCC). The survey reveals that 91% of German businesses rate their current business situation in Malaysia as 'good' or 'satisfactory', underscoring sustained optimism despite a volatile global economic landscape. The biannual survey, part of a global initiative by the German Chambers of Commerce Abroad (AHK), captures the outlook of German businesses in over 90 countries. This latest edition reflects a growing sense of resilience, with 93% of respondents expecting business conditions in Malaysia to remain the same or improve over the next 12 months – a 30% increase compared to 2024. This jump signals a rebound in sentiment and renewed trust in Malaysia's position as a stable and attractive business destination. While optimism is strong, businesses remain alert to global risks. Geopolitical tensions, ongoing supply chain disruptions, and uneven economic recoveries continue to create uncertainty worldwide. In this context, 85% of companies in Malaysia view the local economic outlook as stable or favourable, although this marks a 12% decline from the previous year, indicating tempered expectations amid ongoing global headwinds. 'Despite a complex and evolving global landscape marked by geopolitical tensions, shifting trade policies and economic uncertainty, German companies in Malaysia remain strongly optimistic about the country's long-term prospects. These results reaffirm Malaysia's position as a strategic business and logistics hub in Southeast Asia – underpinned by its stable infrastructure, competitive cost structure, skilled and multilingual workforce and strong bilateral relations with Germany and the broader EU. 'As companies seek resilient, future-ready markets to grow and invest in, Malaysia continues to stand out as a reliable and attractive destination for German businesses across various sectors' said MGCC executive director Jan Noether. While the overall outlook remains positive, survey respondents also highlighted several areas that warrant attention moving forward. These include demand uncertainty (59.8%), economic policy conditions (46.1%), and regulatory considerations such as preferences for local firms (43.1%). These insights reflect the complexities of operating in a dynamic economic environment and underscore the importance of continued dialogue, policy clarity, and adaptive business strategies to ensure sustained growth and competitiveness. Globally, companies identified key long-term risks over the next five years, including trade barriers and conflicts (66%), global economic fragmentation (51%), as well as inflationary pressures and tightening monetary policy frameworks (36%). The survey also revealed concerns over the impact of the recent US trade tariffs, with 38% of companies anticipating a minor impact on local operations and 20.4% citing a major impact, largely due to expected increases in input costs, shifts in consumer behaviour, and reduced export demand. Interestingly, 36% of respondents said the tariffs would have no impact, with some noting potential opportunities for Malaysian-based operations to fill emerging supply chain gaps. Despite the global uncertainty, investment sentiment remains strong. A total of 68% of companies plan to either maintain or increase their local investments over the next 12 months – a testament to Malaysia's strategic value and growth potential in regional and global supply chains. Hiring trends also reflect a stable employment outlook: 40% plan to increase hiring while 53% intend to maintain current workforce levels. This reflects a 6% improvement in overall job stability compared to 2024. In Malaysia, the survey was conducted between March 17 and April 15 with 104 respondents from MGCC member companies, comprising mostly German companies with branches or subsidiaries in Malaysia, primarily from the manufacturing, trade, and services sectors, The AHK Network is supported by the German Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Action. The survey is part of the broader AHK World Business Outlook, a biannual global research initiative conducted by the German Chamber of Commerce and Industry. It surveys member companies from the network of AHK, which represent more than 40,000 companies in 93 countries.
