Malaysia gets RM162b investments in 2012

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia attracted RM162.4 billion worth of investments last year, the highest it has recorded in six years.

The record level, against a backdrop of subdued global investment flows, exceeded official targets by 9.1 per cent.

Much of 2012's investments were in new and emerging technologies particularly within the aerospace, semiconductors, solar, machinery and equipment, biotechnology, petroleum and petrochemical products and medical devices as well as the oil and gas sectors.

The 5.1 per cent increase, through 6,442 projects, can generate 182,841 jobs, mostly in the services industry, said International Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed at the annual media conference, here today.