Kuala Lumpur: The Export-Import Bank of Malaysia Bhd (EXIM Bank) is playing a pivotal role in enabling the Malaysia Pavilion to achieve its ambitious target of attracting RM13 billion in foreign direct investment (FDI) during Expo 2025 in Osaka, Kansai, Japan.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, this effort is supported by a close partnership with the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry (MITI) and the Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE). MITI highlighted that through targeted financing solutions, sectoral outreach, and strategic business-matching initiatives, EXIM Bank is turning this goal into reality for the six-month expo.
“Our presence at Expo 2025 sends a clear commitment to the business community,” stated Nurbayu Kasim Chang, the bank’s president and chief executive officer. Malaysian enterprises are backed by a cross-border focused financial institution committed to facilitating their international growth. Nurbayu emphasized that the expo, commencing on April 13, 2025, provides a timely opportunity to strengthen investor confidence, forge cross-border linkages, and channel FDI into strategic sectors.
EXIM Bank’s participation aligns with national development blueprints such as the New Industrial Master Plan 2030. This positions the halal industry as a key contributor to Malaysia’s future economy by integrating it into broader industrial and export development strategies, according to MITI. The bank plans to host sector-specific sessions, including pocket talks on halal and Shariah-compliant finance and business matching events with Japanese industry players.
In 2024, the bank facilitated RM415.7 million in business financing through the Malaysia Global Connect platform, supporting seven Malaysian companies operating in non-traditional markets. These markets include African nations such as Algeria, Kenya, and South Africa, as well as countries in the Commonwealth of Independent States like Kazakhstan.
These initiatives reflect EXIM Bank’s efforts to position Malaysian businesses competitively in emerging economies through customised financial and advisory solutions. The bank is also strengthening its presence in the ASEAN region in support of Malaysia’s chairmanship of ASEAN in 2025, bolstering cross-border trade and investment flows within Southeast Asia.