PENANG RECORDS RM22.4 BLN APPROVED MANUFACTURING INVESTMENTS IN 2025 - CHOW

GEORGE TOWN, March 10 (Bernama) -- Penang recorded RM22.4 billion in approved manufacturing investments in 2025, a 29 per cent increase from 2024, reinforcing the state’s position as a key industrial hub despite global economic uncertainties.

Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said Penang ranked third among the highest contributors of approved manufacturing investments nationwide, accounting for 17 per cent of Malaysia’s total.

He said these investments involve 232 projects, expected to generate 24,633 new job opportunities.

The chief minister said that the approved manufacturing foreign direct investment (FDI) in 2025 amounted to RM15.2 billion, representing 68 per cent of Penang’s total approved manufacturing investments.

“The state also ranked among the top three recipients of manufacturing FDI in Malaysia, contributing 15 per cent of the nation’s total,” he said in a statement today.

According to him, Singapore, the United States and China were the top three sources of FDI, collectively accounting for 57 per cent of Penang’s total approved manufacturing FDI.

Meanwhile, Chow said the state’s domestic approved manufacturing investments totalled RM7.2 billion, representing 32 per cent of the state’s total investments and more than double the previous year’s figure.

He said investment activities were largely concentrated in the promoted sectors of electrical and electronics (E&E), machinery and equipment (M&E), and chemicals and chemical products, which together accounted for 81 per cent of total approved inflows in 2025.

He said of these, 52 per cent were new projects, while the remainder were expansion projects, highlighting Penang’s dual strength in attracting new investors while enabling existing companies to scale their operations.

“Penang is encouraged by the strong investment performance recorded in 2025. In the face of global economic uncertainties, the state has continued to attract quality investments that further strengthen our role within the global value chain.

“This reflects the enduring confidence of investors in Penang’s industrial ecosystem and long-term growth prospects,” he added.

Chow noted that the state government remains committed to working closely with its partners to ensure Penang continues to provide a conducive and competitive investment environment.

He also expressed appreciation to investors and to the Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA) and InvestPenang for their continued support in facilitating strategic investments that contribute to the state’s sustainable economic growth.

-- BERNAMA