MELBOURNE: Australian companies have expressed their interest in investing RM24.5 billion, in Malaysia, says Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
He said this was conveyed to him in his meetings with the relevant companies today.
Among the major potential investors, he said, were data management centre companies AirTrunk, with an investment value of RM11 billion, and NextDC with RM3 billion.
Apart from AirTrunk and NextDC, other companies which have expressed an interest in investing were chemical giants Lynas with RM1 billion, renewable energy company Fortescue, financial services provider Macquarie Group, as well as food technology company Arnott's Group.
"We held meetings with senior management of 20 major companies, as well as key impotters and investors. The total value of those seeking to invest comes up to RM24.5 billion.
"This is an achievement to be proud of and demonstrates Australia's interest and confidence in our policies. This will also open the doors to 1,200 skilled workers in Malaysia," he said at a press conference on the second day of his official visit to Malaysia.
Also present were Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan; Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz as well as Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh.
Anwar, who is also finance minister, said in terms of trade, the official visit to Australia also has the potential to generate RM962.1 million in export sales including in urea, wood products, food and beverages as well as electrical components.
"This is in line with our industrial plan as well as the National Energy Transition Roadmap (NETR). I am thankful with this success, which was achieved with the cooperation of the Malaysian High Commission here, MITI as well as the Foreign Ministry.
"This cooperation has shown that if we pay enough attention towards generating investment and boosting investment, we can achieve a level of progress which we can be proud of," he said.
Meanwhile, Mohamad said the visit to Australia has not only strengthened bilateral ties between Malaysia and Australia thanks to both prime ministers, it has also provided clarity to previously uncertain issues.
"Specifically, this involves efforts to make Australia a country we can cooperate with in the fields of energy transition and digital transformation, as they have the necessary skills.
"The prime minister also offered various sold viewpoints for Malaysia and Asean, especially on Malaysia and Asean's stand on the atrocities being committed in Gaza.
"Australia sees Asean as its gateway to the world, they see Asean first before the rest of the world. The entire Asean region is important and Australia wishes to underscore to the prime minister the strong relations between both counties and its people.
"Yesterday, Australia announced AU$2 billion in aid to Asean, and has provided relaxations in regulations to enable entrepreneurs who frequent the country to obtain 10-year visas. This will facilitate easier travel for entrepreneurs between both countries," he said.
Anwar, meanwhile, said that among the focuses he be addressing in his statement at the Asean-Australia Special Summit on Wednesday will be cooperation among Asean member states and Australia.
He said in order to elevate ties between Asean and Australia, among the key focuses of the cooperation will be in the areas of energy transition, digital and cyber security.