InvestKL, the government investment entity set up to attract and facilitate the establishment of multinational corporations’ (MNCs) regional headquarters into Greater KL, has successfully attracted 10 MNCs who have invested RM788 million in the capital city in 2015.
In its Performance Report 2015, InvestKL reported that these 10 MNCs have also created 672 high skilled regional jobs.
In just five years from 2011-2015, InvestKL has drawn 51 MNCs with approved and committed investments of RM5.9 billion, as well as the creation of more than 7,000 regional jobs.
To date, 32% or RM1.9 billion of the RM5.9 billion investments have been realised, while 66.9% or 4,786 of the 7,156 high-skilled regional jobs created are already on the payroll.
The report also highlighted the MNCs’ impact in boasting the real estate market in Kuala Lumpur and Selangor, contributing an estimated RM39.9 million in office space rental. This is in addition to these 51 companies’ impact on other ancillary sectors such as hospitality, schools, medical and tourism.
Chief Executive Officer, Datuk Zainal Amanshah said, “For 2016, our target is to attract 13 MNCs. The second half of the year is looking positive and we are actively in talks with top tier Fortune 500 and Forbes 2000 companies which have continued to express interest to invest in Kuala Lumpur.
“We are in a good position to capitalise on Greater KL’s central location, credibility, cost competitiveness, cultural diversity, game-changing infrastructure development and varied choices of business hubs.”
The 51 MNCs attracted include French company Worldline, a global player and a European leader in the payment and transactional services industry who have established its Asia Pacific Innovation and Management hub in the city.
Swiss headquartered specialty chemical company Clariant chose KL as its new Asia Pacific Headquarters for Oil Services Business, while French company, Colas Rail established KL as its Regional Operations Hub in ASEAN.
Zainal added, “These MNCs are also rapidly changing the landscape of the city, and attracting global talent by actively collaborating with local companies to cultivate innovation, upskill talent, and expansion for various business opportunities.
“For example, French company, VINCI Construction and Universiti Malaya have collaborated to build a one-of-a-kind low-cost home using green technology which uses waste from the oil palm and steel industries. This model home can be one of the solutions to address Malaysia’s housing issues, and replicated worldwide.”
Meanwhile, Schlumberger, the Malaysia Productivity Corporation, Special Taskforce to Facilitate Business, the Royal Malaysian Customs Department and PKFZ Sdn Bhd have created an innovative online solution which resulted in 85 per cent faster cargo clearance, successfully enhancing Schlumberger’s regional operations.
In addition, IBM and the Selangor Human Resource Development Centre are collaborating in an internship programme, IBM Brighter Blue, which provides training and employment opportunities to fresh local graduates.
