PUTRAJAYA: Malaysia has received numerous new investments and requests for expansion of old investments from Japanese companies following the visit by Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad to Japan last year, said Minister of International Trade and Industry (MITI) Datuk Darell Leiking today.
He said this was also due to the cooperation and diplomacy the two nations have shared for a long time.
“Because of this, Japanese giant companies have expressed interest in new investments in the country as well as existing Japanese companies have also shown interest in expanding existing investments.
“I have also met with several chairmen of established Japanese companies in Malaysia and they promised to increase their existing investments in Malaysia as they trust the Pakatan Harapan government led by Dr Mahathir,” he told reporters today at a press conference after a meeting with Foreign Minister Datuk Saifuddin Abdullah and officials of both ministries.
Following Dr Mahathir’s visit to Japan, Malaysia has received hundreds of millions in investment from major companies in Japan.
“For example, the Japanese Lifeline company, it is a ‘stent’ making company, it is also the second largest company in South East Asia.
“This company has come into Malaysia and invested, and they will supply these stents all over Malaysia. This is a huge investment right after our premier visited Japan.
“At the same time, Mitsubishi and Daihatsu are also expanding their investment here,” he said.
Dr Mahathir has visited Japan three times since took office as the seventh prime minister.
It was reported that Malaysia’s first 200 billion yen 10-year Samurai bond, guaranteed by the Japanese government, will be issued next month by the Japan Bank Investment Corporation (JPIC).