PRIME Minister Anwar Ibrahim today said Malaysia is optimistic that foreign direct investments from Japan would exceed RM30 billion in 2023, signifying Japanese investors’ unwavering confidence towards the country. 

He said Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Tengku Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz had informed him that there would be new investments coming from Japan this year.  

 “This is very impressive (coming) from (Japanese) companies that are already investing in Malaysia, which, without exception, have made the commitment to increase and expand into Malaysia,” he said during a joint press conference with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida today.  

Kishida is here on a two-day working visit to Malaysia. 

On another note, Anwar said as members of the Asia Zero Emissions Community, both Malaysia and Japan are committed to increasing efforts to decarbonise and achieve net-zero emissions.  

“We look forward to enhancing collaboration with Japan as we have been exporting liquefied natural gas (LNG) via Petronas for decades, and this is something that Prime Minister Kishida and his delegation are very keen to do,” he added. 

In 2022, LNG accounted for a major portion of Malaysia’s exports to Japan, comprising 31% of total exports to the country. – Bernama, November 5, 2023.