On June 13, 2021, AT&S, a leading global manufacturer of high-end printed circuit boards and integrated circuit substrates, announced its decision to establish a manufacturing plant in Malaysia, its first in Southeast Asia. The company’s CEO, Andreas Gerstenmayer, met with Malaysian Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin via video conference to make the official announcement. The investment, valued at 8.5 billion ringgits (1.7 billion euros), will be located in the Kulim High-Tech Park in Kedah and is expected to create 5,000 high-tech jobs.
introduction to at&s and its investment in malaysia
AT&S is a renowned manufacturer of high-quality printed circuit boards and integrated circuit substrates, with production facilities in several countries, including Austria, India, China, and South Korea. The company’s products are used in a variety of applications, including mobile devices, industrial electronics, automotive systems, and medical and health devices. According to Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, AT&S’s decision to invest in Malaysia is a sign to the country’s attractive business environment and its commitment to sustainable growth. “Working together, the presence of AT&S Malaysia may also broaden our semiconductor industries, open up possibilities for our local superior electronics suppliers, and sell high-tech employment for Malaysians,” he said.
malaysia’s efforts to attract foreign investment
The Malaysian government has been actively promoting the country as a destination for foreign investment, particularly in the high-tech sector. The Malaysian Investment Development Authority (Mida) has been working closely with AT&S since November 2020 to ensure the success of the project. Senior Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali stated that AT&S’s investment is a significant victory for Malaysia, demonstrating the country’s efforts to attract high-quality investments from international companies. “This investment announcement represents a major victory for Malaysia. In demonstrating our efforts to attract high-quality investments from international companies,” said Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.
the impact of at&s’s investment on malaysia’s economy
The investment by AT&S is expected to have a significant impact on Malaysia’s economy, particularly in the high-tech sector. The company’s presence in the country is expected to create new opportunities for local suppliers and manufacturers, as well as provide high-tech employment for Malaysians. According to Mohamed Azmin, AT&S’s investment proves foreign investors’ confidence in Malaysia’s economic prospects and the human resources available to meet the needs of companies in the high-tech industry. “At the meeting, I expressed my optimism that this investment also provides good prospects for our local SMEs, which can benefit from the established supply chain,” he said.
at&s’s plans for its malaysian operations
The construction of AT&S’s manufacturing plant in Malaysia is expected to begin in the second half of 2021, with commercial operations scheduled to start in 2024. According to CEO Andreas Gerstenmayer, the company will bring the latest high-tech technology to the country and create a new technological field. In addition to producing high-tech products, a significant portion of research and development (R&D) will also be carried out in this new location. Gerstenmayer stated that he chose Malaysia after conducting research and is confident that the country’s business environment and human resources will support the company’s growth.
The investment by AT&S is a significant boost to Malaysia’s efforts to recover from the economic difficulties caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. The country’s total approved investment in manufacturing, services, and primary sectors reached 80.6 billion ringgits in the first quarter of 2021, a positive sign for the country’s economic recovery. As Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin noted, AT&S’s investment is a major victory for Malaysia, demonstrating the country’s attractiveness as a destination for foreign investment. With its strong business environment, skilled workforce, and commitment to sustainable growth, Malaysia is well-positioned to attract more high-tech investments in the future, driving economic growth and development in the country.
