ABU DHABI, Jan 15 — Malaysia welcomes companies from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to invest in local renewable energy (RE) projects, including data centres, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
He said this during his three-day working visit to the UAE, which began Sunday after meetings with sovereign wealth fund companies from the country.
Anwar said during the meeting with UAE state-owned renewables firm Masdar, the government said it would facilitate Masdar’s investment plans in Malaysia through joint ventures with local companies for green energy projects, infrastructure, battery storage, and strengthening the energy grid.
“For the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA), this involves projects related to the New Industrial Master Plan 2030 and the Madani Economy framework, as well as projects in the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ), such as advanced manufacturing.
“It also includes infrastructure development, green technology, RE, logistics, healthcare, the digital economy, and education,” he said in a press conference with Malaysian journalists at the end of his visit to the UAE yesterday.
He also welcomed ADIA’s intention to collaborate with Global Infrastructure Partners on the privatisation of Malaysia Airport Holdings Bhd (MAHB).
ADIA’s involvement is crucial in MAHB’s reorganisation or any potential privatisation involving Khazanah Nasional’s control. With experience at airports in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Heathrow, and Paris, ADIA brings valuable expertise.
“Khazanah’s partnership with ADIA, along with the backing of the nation’s leadership, is regarded as a major project,” he said.
Anwar said his meeting with Mubadala discussed the production of liquefied natural gas and the development of gas-related infrastructure, as well as the development of value chains such as blue hydrogen and carbon capture, utilisation, and storage, along with projects in JS-SEZ.
Anwar said he also discussed with Sheikh Mohamed, the UAE president’s participation in the Asean-GCC Summit in Malaysia at the end of May.
“Overall, this visit achieved the objective of strengthening bilateral cooperation with the UAE,” he said.
The Prime Minister said he also held bilateral meetings with Kenya President William Ruto and Uganda President Yoweri Kaguta in an effort to enhance Malaysia’s relations with Africa.
Kenya has 60 years of diplomatic relations with Malaysia and is the largest importer of palm oil in Africa and an export hub in East Africa.
Uganda, on the other hand, has 63 years of diplomatic relations with Malaysia, and among the matters discussed were efforts to reduce the trade imbalance, the development of the Eco Satellite City in Nakigalala Estate, as well as education and capacity building.
— Bernama
