Disk-drive maker Western Digital will spend US$1.2 billion over the next five years to expand its operations in Malaysia, a move that could boost foreign investments in this Southeast Asian country.
Western Digital’s new investments will include expanding its research and development as well as manufacturing facilities, the Malaysian prime minister’s office said in a statement on today.
“Construction is planned to be completed by the third quarter of 2011 and the facility will be ramped to full capacity over the following five years,” the statement said. “ There will be up to 10,000 additional jobs.”
The announcement comes about two months after another multi-national company, Coca-Cola Co, said it would expand its investment by US$300 million in this trade-dependent country.
Malaysia is seeking to win foreign investment to help offset recent large investment outflows. In 2009, it recorded a net outflow of direct investment of RM24.9 billion after an outflow of RM26.1 billion in 2008 as Malaysian companies went overseas to invest.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak had in March launched the country’s new economic model to boost economic growth so that Malaysia achieves income levels of a “rich nation” by doubling the US$7,000 per capita income currently.
Economists have said that private investments, which remain at about 12 percent of gross domestic product, would have to increase substantially if Malaysia was to achieve its economic goals. - Reuters
Read more: Western Digital to invest US$1.2b in Malaysia
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