Accra:Selangor Nearly 88 percent of manufacturing projects approved in Selangor between 2021 and June 2026 had commenced implementation, spanning from construction to production, as of October 13, 2026, as reported by the Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA).

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Datuk Sikh Shamsul Ibrahim Sikh Abdul Majid, the chief executive officer, stated that the national figure mirrors this achievement, with just over 88 percent of 5,822 projects underway. For projects approved between 2021 and 2024, over 90 percent were already in progress.

These results highlight Malaysia's status as a reliable investment destination. The Asia Manufacturing Index 2026 ranks Malaysia second in Asia, behind China, its highest position yet. Additionally, Malaysia advanced to 15th place in the IMD World Competitiveness Ranking 2026, an improvement from 23rd, and re-entered the top 25 of Kearney's FDI Confidence Index 2026 for the first time in over a decade.

During the first half of 2026, Selangor topped all states with RM70 billion in approved investments, the highest of any state. Nationally, approved investments reached RM218.5 billion, projected to generate approximately 99,000 jobs. Together with Johor, these two states contributed nearly 60 percent of the total.

Selangor's investment approvals were primarily driven by digital sectors such as artificial intelligence, big data analytics, cybersecurity, financial technology, cloud computing, and the Internet of Things. Projects in data centers and cloud computing alone accounted for RM95.8 billion, about 44 percent of all approved investments.

Commenting on the Budget 2027 allocation, Sikh Shamsul Ibrahim noted that it bolsters Malaysia's attractiveness for high-value businesses, enhances the Global Services Hub tax incentives, and extends the Green Technology Investment Tax Allowance until 2030. He emphasized that realizing these opportunities hinges on the development of infrastructure, utilities, talent, research capabilities, and local suppliers, requiring coordination between federal and state governments, agencies, and industry to transform new investments into stronger industrial capabilities and broader economic benefits.