Perak: The Perak state government's recent trade and investment mission to China has resulted in commitments exceeding RM1.6 billion, opening up new prospects for economic growth and development.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, the mission, which took place from May 17-24, focused on sectors including digital technology, artificial intelligence (AI), data centers, green energy, automotive, and future industries. Perak Menteri Besar Saarani Mohamad stated that these commitments would bolster efforts to attract quality investments, generating economic spillover effects, creating high-skilled jobs, and supporting the Perak Sejahtera 2030 development agenda.
A significant outcome of the mission is a RM1 billion investment commitment to develop the NexQuantum AI Digital Park @ SVTP. This follows visits to Ennoconn headquarters in Kunshan and the Jiading Big Data Centre in Shanghai to observe AI, data centers, digital infrastructure, and smart industry ecosystems. The project's development will be subject to approval by the Data Centre Task Force (DCTF), which coordinates data center development in Malaysia.
The mission also included the signing of a strategic cooperation memorandum between Perak SADC and Shuifa Energy Group Co Ltd. This partnership aims to explore a renewable energy project using floating aqua-voltaic technology with a capacity of 30 megawatt-peak (MWp) in Tanjung Tualang, with an investment ranging from RM180 million to RM200 million over three years.
Yantai Yatong Precision Mechanical Technology has selected Perak for its first factory outside China, investing RM160 million in the Tanjong Malim Hi-Tech Park. Additionally, Ningbo Fresh Technology Co Ltd plans to expand its operations with an additional RM263 million investment at the same park to meet local and export demand.
Through InvestPerak, supported by the Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA) Shanghai office, a business pitching session was organized with over 100 Chinese industry players. The session introduced opportunities in sectors such as electrical and electronics, automotive, machinery and parts, mineral-based downstream industries, halal industry, and food processing.
Saarani emphasized that relevant agencies would follow up on these prospects to ensure their implementation, strengthening the state's industrial ecosystem, accelerating technology transfer, developing local talent, and creating quality job opportunities for the people of Perak.