KUANTAN: Malaysia’s East Coast region has strong potential to become a key hub for national food security and a leading centre for the green economy through greater investment in renewable energy.
Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA) chief executive officer, Datuk Sikh Shamsul Ibrahim Sikh Abdul Majid, said smart farming, food processing, cold-chain infrastructure, and logistics could boost productivity and strengthen the country’s food supply chain.
He said the East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) would further improve connectivity and market access for agrofood products by facilitating the movement of raw materials and finished products to wider markets.
"Connectivity through the ECRL will also expand market access for agrofood products, while facilitating the movement of raw materials and products to wider markets,” he said in his speech at the 2026 East Coast Region Investment Seminar here today.
Sikh Shamsul Ibrahim indicated that Pahang, Terengganu, and Kelantan have significant potential in renewable energy, especially in solar, biomass, and hydropower, including floating solar-hydro hybrid projects.
He said such development was in line with the National Energy Transition Roadmap (NETR) and the Green Investment Strategy, creating opportunities for high-technology, sustainable and environmentally friendly investments.
The East Coast region recorded RM61.4 billion in approved investments between 2021 and June 2026, involving 1,746 projects expected to create more than 30,000 jobs, said Sikh Shamsul Ibrahim.
He urged Bumiputera companies, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and mid-tier companies in the region to explore the capital market as an alternative source of financing, including through initial public offerings (IPOs).
"This is important to enable local companies to move to the next level and become industry role models amid increasingly challenging global supply-chain competition,” he said.
Sikh Shamsul Ibrahim said the implementation of the New Incentive Framework (NIF) would place greater emphasis on high-impact, high-technology and sustainable investments in line with the needs of the future economy.
MIDA, through its Incentives Coordination and Collaboration Office (ICCO) and i-Incentives Portal, also facilitates access by local companies, particularly SMEs and Bumiputera firms, to relevant government support and incentives.
Sikh Shamsul Ibrahim emphasised that companies should make full use of the 84 active incentive schemes offered by 10 ministries through the i-Incentives Portal to strengthen their business capabilities.
He added that MIDA, together with federal and state agencies, was ready to expedite approvals and address project implementation issues through the Invest Malaysia Facilitation Centre (IMFC).
Meanwhile, Pahang state Business and Investment Officer Datuk Kamarul ‘Arifin Ahmad @ Abd Rahman, representing the state government, expressed appreciation to MIDA for organising the seminar in Kuantan.
He said the event would help unlock new investment opportunities and stimulate economic growth in the East Coast region.
More than 400 participants attended the seminar, which also featured an appreciation and pre-listing showcase recognising Pahang-based aquaculture firm FDI Group and Terengganu-based oil and gas engineering company Upstream Downstream Process & Services Sdn Bhd. - Bernama
