Dutch, Belgian investors show strong interest in Malaysian economy

Mustapa: ‘Last year was a good year for electronics and semiconductor.

KUALA LUMPUR: There is strong interest in the Malaysian economy within the Dutch and Belgium business communities and many are leveraging on the country’s strategic position as their gateway to Asean, said the International Trade and Industry Ministry.

In a statement on Monday, its Minister, Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamad, said two Dutch SMEs - BE Semiconductor Industries (Besi) and Enza Zaden had shared their overall positive experiences investing in Malaysia at a seminar held during his trade and investment missions to Amsterdam and Brussels between Oct 19 and Oct 20, 2017.

“Among others, both companies noted the high quality of human capital available in Malaysia, especially in the areas of technology and mechanisation and the strong work culture among Malaysians.

“They were happy with the facilitation by Malaysian Investment Development Authority and other investment promotion agencies,” he said.

Besi, based in Shah Alam with 430 employees, is involved in the production of semiconductor-related machinery and equipment and continues using Malaysia as its regional base to serve the Asia-Pacific market.

Enza Zaden, on the other hand, a Dutch SME producing agricultural seeds, has picked Perak to set up its research and development and highland breeding centre which has been accorded with the BioNexus status.

In Brussels , the mission continued with a roundtable meeting involving 10 leading Belgian firms to update both existing and new companies on the latest development and business opportunities available in Malaysia.

As at June 2017, implemented Belgian investments were worth RM743.6mil making Belgium one of the significant investors from the EU.

“It is important for Malaysia to appear strongly on the radar of European multinationals and SMEs, therefore we must enhance our visibility in the major trade and investment markets.

“For these major markets, we need to engage them at least once a year to update on our latest economic developments, business opportunities and attractiveness of Malaysia as a premier investment destination,” he said.- BERNAMA