MALAYSIA’s trade performance continues to improve, driven by domestic and foreign direct investments, said Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Tengku Zafrul Abdul Aziz.

He said the good performance benefited not only from the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership, but from various deals like multilateral agreements, free trade agreements (FTAs) and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement. 

“A total of 18 FTAs have been signed so far. We can see that trade continues to increase,” he told the media after delivering a speech at the Australian Network Leaders’ Summit 2023 in Kuala Lumpur today.

“These trade agreements help our exporters to access the international market.” 

Tengku Zafrul said in his keynote address that since helming the ministry, Malaysia’s trade and investment missions have secured committed investments from four countries worth US$49 billion (RM230 billion).

The four countries are Singapore (RM13 billion), South Korea (RM24 billion), China (RM170 billion) and Japan (RM23 billion).

“This is testament to the confidence foreign investors have in Malaysia, which helps policymakers like me and my colleagues unlock numerous opportunities for our corporates, small and medium enterprises and fellow Malaysians across various sectors,” he said.

He said Malaysia’s approved investments in the first quarter of this year saw a remarkable 60% year-on-year rise to RM71.4 billion.

These figures are represented by over 1,200 projects and are set to create 24,000 new job opportunities, said Tengku Zafrul.

Tengku Zafrul said the issue the government needs to address currently is the perception that business approvals need to be sped up.

“The ministry, along with related agencies, will focus on the process to speed up approvals required by domestic and international investors,” he said. – Bernama, July 1, 2023.