KUALA LUMPUR, 25 FEBRUARY 2025: Malaysia has reached a historic milestone with RM378.5 billion in approved investments for 2024, marking a 14.9 per cent year-on-year (yoy) growth.
Investment, Trade, and Industry Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz said the amount marks the highest in the nation's history, despite global economic challenges.
These investments are expected to create over 207,000 better paying jobs for Malaysians and provide significant opportunities for local businesses, particularly small and medium enterprises (SMEs).
"Each ringgit invested in innovative, sustainable and high-value industries creates a multiplier effect that strengthens our economy.
"MITI and MIDA remain committed to facilitating such investments, while also taking steps to enhance the resilience of our supply chains and industrial ecosystem," he said at MIDA Annual Media Conference 2025 here, today.
According to the Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA), this record-breaking figure spans 6,700 projects across key economic sectors.
MIDA said Malaysia continues to attract significant investments, with domestic investments accounting for RM208.1 billion (55 per cent) and foreign investments contributing RM170.4 billion (45 per cent).
Foreign investments remain robust, with the United States leading the way with RM32.8 billion, followed by Germany (RM32.2 billion), China (RM28.2 billion), Singapore (RM27.3 billion) and Hong Kong SAR (RM7.4 billion).
MIDA said Selangor emerged as the top investment destination with RM101.1 billion in approved investments, followed by Kuala Lumpur (RM91.5 billion), Johor (RM48.5 billion), Kedah (RM45.8 billion), and Penang (RM32 billion).
"These five states collectively secured RM318.9 billion, making up 84.3 per cent of total investments," it said.
On the services sector, MIDA said it remained the main driver of growth, attracting RM252.7 billion in approved investments (66.8 per cent of total), leading to the creation of 119,083 new jobs.
In addition, it said the manufacturing sector secured RM120.5 billion (31.8 per cent of total), with 1,108 projects generating nearly 88,000 jobs, 82.2 per cent of which are designated for Malaysians.
"Meanwhile, the primary sector registered approved investments of RM5.3 billion, constituting 1.4 per cent of the total approvals.
"Driven by 67 projects, it anticipates creating 463 new jobs, with a focus on mining (RM4.5 billion), agriculture (RM766.8 million) and plantation and commodities (RM71.6 million)," it added.
