Malaysia Realises 2,688 Manufacturing Projects Worth RM318.5 Billion

KUALA LUMPUR, JULY 2026 – Malaysia has realised 2,688 investment projects in the manufacturing sector worth RM318.5 billion between 2023 and March 2026, according to the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry. The projects reflect continued investor confidence in Malaysia’s industrial ecosystem and its role as a strategic manufacturing base in the region.

Of the total realised investments, domestic investment accounted for RM63.3 billion, or 19.9%, while foreign investment contributed RM255.2 billion, or 80.1%. The implementation of these projects also created 210,546 job opportunities, showing the manufacturing sector’s direct contribution to employment and economic growth.

The ministry said the government, through MITI and the Malaysian Investment Development Authority, remains committed to ensuring approved investments can be realised at a high rate and within a reasonable timeframe. These investments are expected to generate wider economic spillovers, including business opportunities and high-skilled jobs for Malaysians.

For realised investments, approved projects usually take between 18 and 24 months to be implemented, depending on project complexity, scale and current economic conditions. This timeline shows that the transition from approval to actual implementation requires continuous facilitation and coordination between investors, agencies and state authorities.

Five states recorded the highest value of realised manufacturing investments during the period, namely Penang, Kedah, Selangor, Johor and Negeri Sembilan. Together, these states represented 84.3% of total realised investments from 2023 to March 2026, underlining their importance as major industrial and manufacturing destinations.

MITI also revealed that 3,847 manufacturing investment projects worth RM427.9 billion were approved during the same period. These approved investments are expected to create 302,058 new job opportunities, further strengthening the outlook for Malaysia’s manufacturing sector.

From the total approved investments, domestic investment stood at RM93.9 billion, or 21.9%, while foreign investment reached RM334.0 billion, or 78.1%. The figures show that foreign investors continue to play a major role in Malaysia’s manufacturing development, while domestic investment remains an important part of the overall industrial growth structure.

The five states with the highest approved manufacturing investments were also Penang, Kedah, Selangor, Johor and Negeri Sembilan, contributing 81% of the total approved value. This indicates that the same key industrial states continue to attract both approved and realised investments.

The ministry provided the figures in a written parliamentary reply to Datuk Seri Dr Ronald Kiandee, who asked about approved and realised domestic and foreign direct investments since 2023, including investment value, actual jobs created and performance by state.

In a separate response to Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin, MITI said it continues to work with investment agencies to attract world-class technology and industrial companies to Malaysia. Among the efforts being carried out are targeted Trade and Investment Missions, the “Strike Force” approach, Special Project Missions and outcome-based incentives.

MITI said the government is also focusing on investment facilitation throughout the investor journey, from the pre-investment stage to implementation and post-investment support. This approach is aimed at ensuring global technology and industrial companies receive the assistance needed to invest, expand and operate effectively in Malaysia.