Melaka is shifting its investment strategy towards projects that deliver stronger long-term economic benefits, with greater emphasis on local participation, technology development and higher-value activities, according to Invest Melaka Bhd.
Speaking at a Budget 2027 dialogue organised by Invest Melaka together with the Ministry of Finance and the Melaka State Economic Planning Unit, Invest Melaka chief executive officer Datuk Ginie Lim Siew Lin said the state was no longer focused solely on attracting a higher volume of investments.
“We want to see stronger local participation, greater technology and capability development, and more high-value activities that can strengthen the wider economy,” she said.
Lim said Invest Melaka would continue to bring industry perspectives into investment and policy discussions to ensure that conditions faced by businesses are properly understood.
“Our focus is to help build an ecosystem where investors can grow, while local companies and talent are better positioned to participate in and benefit from that growth,” she added.
As Melaka expands its semiconductor and advanced manufacturing base, the state sees stronger local supply chains as increasingly important, particularly in helping Malaysian companies move into higher-value segments.
Key priorities include supporting technology upgrading, improving productivity and creating stronger linkages between multinational investors and domestic businesses.
Talent development is also expected to play a larger role, with industry participants highlighting the need for closer alignment between technical and vocational education and training (TVET) programmes and the skills required by strategic industries.
Invest Melaka said greater industry participation in training and skills development would help ensure that the local workforce remains responsive to the changing needs of higher-value manufacturing.
The state said these priorities underline the importance of creating a business environment that supports companies not only when they invest, but also as they expand, upgrade operations and deepen their links with the domestic economy.
