KUALA LUMPUR: Nearly 88 per cent of manufacturing projects approved in Selangor between 2021 and June 2026 had started implementation, from construction to production, as of Oct 13, 2026, according to the Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA).
Chief executive officer Datuk Sikh Shamsul Ibrahim Sikh Abdul Majid said the national figure is about the same, at just over 88 per cent of 5,822 projects, while for projects approved between 2021 and 2024, more than 90 per cent were already underway.
"These results reinforce Malaysia's standing as a trusted investment destination. Three recent rankings tell the same story. First, the Asia Manufacturing Index 2026 ranks Malaysia second in Asia, behind China, marking our highest position to date.
"Secondly, Malaysia also climbed to 15th place in the IMD World Competitiveness Ranking 2026, up eight places from 23rd, while re-entering the top 25 of Kearney's FDI Confidence Index 2026 for the first time in over a decade," he said in his speech at the Selangor Investment Forum (SIF), part of the Selangor International Business Summit (SIBS) 2026.
He also noted that in the first half of 2026, Selangor led all states with RM70 billion in approved investments, the most of any state.
Nationally, he said approved investments reached RM218.5 billion and are expected to create about 99,000 jobs. Together with Johor, the two states accounted for close to 60 per cent of that total.
"Selangor's approvals were driven by digital investments in artificial intelligence, big data analytics, cybersecurity, financial technology, cloud computing and the Internet of Things. Data centre and cloud computing projects alone accounted for RM95.8 billion, close to 44 per cent of all approved investments," he added.
Meanwhile, commenting on the Budget 2027 allocation, Sikh Shamsul Ibrahim said it strengthens Malaysia's appeal as a destination for high-value business, enhances the Global Services Hub (GSH) tax incentives and extends the Green Technology Investment Tax Allowance (GITA) until 2030.
"These measures can attract regional business operations and support greener industry. Realising these opportunities depends on how well infrastructure, utilities, talent, research capabilities and local suppliers develop alongside investment," he added. "This calls for close coordination between the federal and state governments, relevant agencies and industry, so that new investments turn into stronger industrial capabilities and wider economic benefits."
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