Industry News

Analysts remain optimistic about Malaysia's industrial production index (IPI), which expanded at a steady 3.1 per cent, although it fell short of the median consensus forecast of 3.5 per cent due to a sharper decline in mining output. Kenanga Research has upgraded its 2026 manufacturing IPI growth projection following stronger-than-expected production performance in the first quarter of 2026 (Q1), a momentum expected to continue into the second quarter (Q2). The firm revised

Penang recorded RM22.4 billion in approved manufacturing investments in 2025, a 29 per cent increase from 2024, reinforcing the state’s position as a key industrial hub despite global economic uncertainties. Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said Penang ranked third among the highest contributors of approved manufacturing investments nationwide, accounting for 17 per cent of Malaysia’s total. He said these investments involve 232 projects, expected to generate 24,633 new job oppor

The Penang Port Commission (PPC) is closely monitoring developments in the Middle East to ensure potential disruptions to global shipping do not affect Penang's semiconductor supply chain and broader logistics network. PPC chairman Datuk Yeoh Soon Hin said the commission recently met with the North Malaysia Shipping Agents Association (NMSAA) to assess how the ongoing regional conflict could impact international shipping operations and logistics flows linked to Penang. He sai

Malaysia’s manufacturing sector showed signs of stabilisation in the second half of 2025 following earlier weakness. NSTP/ROHANIS SHUKRI Malaysia's manufacturing sector showed signs of stabilisation in the second half of 2025 following earlier weakness, the Federation of Malaysian Manufacturers (FMM) said. President Jacob Lee Chor Kok said the sector is entering a stabilisation phase rather than a broad-based recovery. "While key indicators are improving, demand remains fragi

Benefits from Johor’s economic development will be felt across all 10 of the state’s districts through the implementation of the Johor Economic Transformation Plan (JETP), said Menteri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi.- Bernama pic Benefits from Johor's economic development will be felt across all 10 of the state's districts through the implementation of the Johor Economic Transformation Plan (JETP), said Menteri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi. The menteri besar said that although th

The government has identified and is supporting the establishment of more than six local integrated circuit design firms, a critical step toward owning “Made by Malaysia” technology intellectual property (IP). – NSTP pic The government has identified and is supporting the establishment of more than six local integrated circuit design firms, a critical step toward owning "Made by Malaysia" technology intellectual property (IP). The Investment, Trade and Industry Ministry (Miti

Penang is on track to become one of Malaysia’s leading states in renewable energy adoption, particularly in solar power, driven by its robust industrial base and rising sustainability awareness Penang is on track to become one of Malaysia's leading states in renewable energy adoption, particularly in solar power, driven by its robust industrial base and rising sustainability awareness. The Malaysian Photovoltaic and Sustainable Energy Industry Association (MPSEA) said Penang

Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi meeting with Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul at the Government House of Thailand, during his three-day working visit to Bangkok beginning today. BERNAMA pic Malaysia and Thailand are exploring the potential to expand cooperation in Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) to strengthen the technical and highly skilled workforce of both countries. Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamid

Penang’s status as a global semiconductor hub received a boost today when Intel Corporation chief executive officer Tan Lip-Bu held a high-level meeting with Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow. - PIC CREDIT: FB/ChowKonYeow Penang's status as a global semiconductor hub received a boost today when Intel Corporation chief executive officer Tan Lip-Bu held a high-level meeting with Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow. The discussion marked a key step in the state's transition toward advanced

DHL South Region Hub 2 in Senai Airport City Free Zone. DHL Supply Chain Malaysia has commenced operations at its second logistics facility in Senai Airport City since Jan 20. The new Malaysia South Region Hub 2, located within the Senai Airport City Free Zone, marked DHL's second major logistics investment in Johor. This follows the opening of South Region Hub 1 in April last year, which has since reached full occupancy by multinational high-technology companies. DHL said t

Exis Tech Sdn Bhd, a semiconductor equipment manufacturer under China’s Hangzhou Changchuan Technology Co Ltd (CCTech), has begun operations at its second manufacturing facility in Senawang, Negeri Sembilan. Exis Tech Sdn Bhd, a semiconductor equipment manufacturer under China's Hangzhou Changchuan Technology Co Ltd (CCTech), has begun operations at its second manufacturing facility in Senawang, Negri Sembilan. The new Phase 1 facility, backed by an investment of about RM25 m

South Korean President Lee Jae Myung delivers a speech at the National Assembly in Seoul on Nov 4, 2025. (Photo: AFP/Chung Sung-Jun) South Korea will triple spending on artificial intelligence and make its biggest defence budget increase in six years, President Lee Jae Myung said on Tuesday (Nov 4) in his annual parliamentary budget speech. Lee said 10.1 trillion won (US$7 billion) would go towards "a major transformation aimed at propelling South Korea into the ranks of the

Malaysia Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Tengku Zafrul Abdul Aziz announces fast-track licences for manufacturing projects and a bigger kitty for government co-investment that can be tapped by Malaysian SMEs. Singapore's Deputy Prime Minister Gan Kim Yong speaking at the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ) joint investment forum at Marina Bay Sands Expo and Convention Centre on Oct 14, 2025. (Photo: CNA/Lim Li Ting) New measures are being rolled out in the

Vietnam’s economic growth accelerated at the fastest pace in three years in the third quarter, with manufacturing and business activity cushioning the economy against higher tariffs that took effect early August. Gross domestic product rose 8.23% in the July-September period from a year earlier, according to data from the National Statistics Office in Hanoi on Monday. That’s faster than the 7.15% median estimate of analysts surveyed by Bloomberg. Second-quarter growth was rev

Rene Haas, CEO of chip tech provider Arm Holdings, speaks during an event in which Malaysia's Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim officially...

FILE PHOTO: Intel logo is seen in this illustration taken February 16, 2025. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File Photo Intel's incoming...