Malaysia Sees 18.7% Surge in Approved Investments for H1 2025

Kuala Lumpur: Malaysia has achieved significant growth in approved investments, securing 190.3 billion ringgit ($44.98 billion) in the first half of 2025. This marks an impressive 18.7 percent increase compared to the same period last year, according to official data released on Friday.

The Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA) reported that a total of 3,011 projects spanning the manufacturing, services, and primary sectors are projected to create 89,294 new jobs. This substantial influx of investment highlights the resilience and attractiveness of Malaysia’s economic landscape.

Foreign and Domestic Investments Breakdown

Foreign investments made a notable contribution, accounting for 56.1 percent of the total approved investments, amounting to 106.8 billion ringgit. Domestic investments also played a crucial role, contributing 43.9 percent, or 83.5 billion ringgit.

Year-on-year, foreign investments surged by 43.5 percent, with Singapore emerging as the leading source country, providing 43.4 billion ringgit. This growth underscores the increasing confidence foreign investors have in Malaysia’s market potential.

Sectors Driving Growth

The services sector has shown remarkable performance, with a share of 118.6 billion ringgit in approved investments, reflecting a significant 25.6 percent increase year-on-year. Meanwhile, the manufacturing sector secured 68.4 billion ringgit, growing by 13.8 percent over the same period.

Tengku Zafrul Aziz, the Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry (MITI), stated, “Malaysia’s 18.7 percent year-on-year growth in approved investments for the first half demonstrates foreign and domestic investors’ continued trust in our clear policies and long-term industrial reform agenda.” He added, “These have contributed to Malaysia’s strong economic fundamentals, which have clearly held up our economy even amid a challenging global environment.”

This upward trend in approved investments signals a positive outlook for Malaysia’s economic growth, reinforcing the nation’s position as a key player in the Southeast Asian region. As the country continues to attract investment from both local and international sources, the impact on job creation and economic stability is expected to be significant.