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KUALA LUMPUR: UOB Research has tweaked Malaysia's full-year investment approval projection this year higher to RM225 billion from RM200 billion previously. 

This is after Malaysia posted investment approvals in the first nine months that accounted for 96.9 per cent of UOB's earlier full-year target of RM200 billion. 

"Recent newsflow also suggests sustained investment momentum particularly foreign direct investments (FDIs) into Malaysia in the final quarter of the year. 

"As of November 2022, there are 285 projects with proposed investments of RM19.9 billion within the Malaysian Investment Development Authority's pipeline. 

"Of this, 247 projects are from the services sector (RM13.7 billion) while the remaining 38 projects are from the manufacturing sector (RM6.2 billion)," noted UOB economist Loke Siew Ting in a note. 

Going into 2023, UOB said there remained positive catalysts supporting the overall investment outlook for Malaysia despite rising risk of a global recession as well as tighter global monetary and financial conditions. 

The ratification of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement and the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership as well as the semiconductor supply chain resilience-linked memorandum of cooperation signed between the US and Malaysia will further strengthen the latter's standing as a gateway to Asean and investment destination of choice in Asia to support regional and global supply chains.

UOB added that the new unity government was also expected to impose bold investment and environment friendly policies when it re-table 2023 Budget either in January or February next year. 

This would be done to retain Malaysia as a top investment destination among global investors and a hotspot for business expansions, as well as to develop the nation's economy in a sustainable manner. 

"The newly-appointed Minister of International Trade and Industry Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz also assured that the government remains resilient to discover new growth areas and empower businesses and local communities to promote inclusivity and sustainable development through the country's National Investment Aspirations and environmental, social and governance principles.

"With that, we expect investment approvals to hold up its momentum to reach RM228 billion for the entire year of 2023," added Loke. 

Downside risks to the investment outlook could stem from a severe global recession, potential resurgence of Covid-19 infections from deadlier and vaccine-resistant variants triggering partial or targeted lockdowns in some parts of the world including Malaysia, as well as prolonged labour shortages.

Source: https://www.nst.com.my/business/2022/12/861953/malaysia-should-approve-rm225bil-investments-2022-uobs-earlier-forecast