MIDA, KTPC AND HLB FORGE STRATEGIC COLLABORATION AT INAUGURAL ECONOMIC & MARKET DEVELOPMENT CONFERENCE 2025
Released on: Friday, 29 Aug 2025 2:19PM
From left to right:
1. Ms. Dafinah Ahmed Hilmi, CEO of HLISB (Hong Leong Islamic Bank)
2. Dato' Chong Nee Hwa, Executive Director of FEM (Fuji Electric (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd)
3. Datuk Sikh Shamsul Ibrahim Sikh Abdul Majid, CEO of MIDA (Malaysian Investment Development Authority)
4. YB. Prof. Dr. Haim Hilman Abdullah, Kedah EXCO for Industry & Investment, Science, Technology & Innovation, and Higher Education
5. Dato' Wira Isahak Murat, CEO of KSDC (Kedah State Development Corporation)
6. Datuk Wira Arham Abdul Rahman, Board Member of KTPC (Kulim Technology Park Corporation)
7. Mr. Mohd Zaid Abdul Jalil, CFO of KTPC (Kulim Technology Park Corporation Sdn Bhd)
KULIM HI-TECH PARK, Kedah, Aug 29 (Bernama) -- The inaugural Economic & Market Development Conference 2025 concluded on a high note yesterday at the Kulim Golf Club in Kulim Hi-Tech Park (KHTP), establishing a new benchmark for public-private sector collaboration in Malaysia's economic development landscape.
The conference brought together over 400 industry titans, policymakers, and investors from across Malaysia and the broader Southeast Asian region, signalling robust confidence in the nation's economic trajectory and innovation ecosystem.
Jointly organised for the first time by the Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA), Kulim Technology Park Corporation (KTPC), and Hong Leong Bank (HLB), the full-day conference featured keynote addresses and networking sessions focusing on current economic trends, market development strategies, and opportunities for investment and innovation. It also served to strengthen networking between the private and public sectors, fostering greater collaboration.
The event also marked a significant milestone as part of Kulim Hi-Tech Park’s 30th Anniversary, reinforcing its position as Malaysia’s premier high-tech industrial hub.
Key highlights of the conference included:
● Expert insights on emerging market opportunities in the current economic direction;
● Discussions on future economic challenges and strategies for inclusive and sustainable development; and
● Enhanced public-private sector collaboration, fostering new business collaborations and investment opportunities.
The conference was officially officiated by YB. Prof. Dr. Haim Hilman Abdullah, Kedah EXCO for Industry & Investment, Science, Technology & Innovation, and Higher Education. In his keynote address, YB. Prof. Dr. Haim Hilman Abdullah highlighted, “I have great hopes that the Kulim Technology Park Corporation (KTPC) and Kulim Hi-Tech Park (KHTP) will continue to be the driving force of high-technology industries, bringing success not only to Kedah, but also to Malaysia as a whole.”
In his opening remarks, Datuk Sikh Shamsul Ibrahim Sikh Abdul Majid, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of MIDA, emphasised the importance of synergy, “Through strong federal-state level collaborations, KHTP has fostered an environment where multinational corporations can establish their operations while providing platforms for our small and medium enterprises to innovate, integrate, and scale up as part of global supply chains. This symbiotic relationship between large corporations and local businesses is exactly what builds resilience and long-term competitiveness.”
Dato' Mohd Sahil Zabidi, Group CEO of KTPC, said, “This conference marks our very first collaboration with MIDA & Hong Leong Bank, organised specially for the industrial players in the Northern Region. This reflects our shared commitment to strengthening Malaysia’s economic resilience & driving long-term growth.”
“The KHTP is a critical engine of Malaysia's economic growth, and holds the potential to be a vibrant ecosystem that drives innovation, creates jobs, and attracts global leaders in high-tech industries," said Dafinah Ahmed Hilmi, CEO of Hong Leong Islamic Bank (HLISB), who gave a speech at the conference. "Our presence in KHTP, anchored by our Meet @ HLB community branch which is opening soon, allows us to be a true partner to the community, where business owners and residents can access financial advisory, wealth management, and corporate banking solutions. Furthermore, we have a unique focus on supporting green projects, providing financing and advisory for businesses entering the renewable energy, sustainability, green infrastructure, or clean electricity industries. With this, we aim to be a catalyst for accelerated wealth growth for the region, supporting an environment where everyone can thrive as we build a prosperous and sustainable economic future."
With a resounding call for continued cooperation between industry players, financial institutions, and government agencies, the conference concluded by reinforcing Malaysia’s and KHTP’s shared ambition to be a leader in high-value industries and innovation-driven growth.
Appendix: Leadership Quotes
Dato' Chong Nee Hwa, Executive Director, Fuji Electric (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd. said, "Being one of the pioneer tenants in Kulim Hi-Tech Park (KHTP) 28 years ago, Fuji Electric is proud to say that Kulim Technology Park Corporation (KTPC) has been a very committed park manager in ensuring our needs are fulfilled timely as committed. We had seen significant growth and development in the park over the years. I am very grateful that I am here to witness such great achievements now, and I am confident that with the strong ecosystem support from MIDA, KTPC and other stakeholders, they will continue to champion Kedah and Malaysia as the preferred location for future investors. Well done!"
Mr. Jacky Chen, Chief Finance Officer of XSD International Paper Sdn Bhd, an HLB client who also participated in the conference, commented, “The conference provided us with some eye-opening insights into the economic viability and future of the region, and emphasised the importance of collaboration between entities to drive Malaysia’s economy forward. In the grand scheme of things, the KHTP is a significant milestone in our country’s endeavour to attract foreign investments and position itself as a global leader in manufacturing and the tech industry. From this, we hope to continue working with KHTP and HLB in supporting the country’s overall economic roadmap and growing our industry to greater heights.”
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SOURCE: Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA)
FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:
MIDA
Name: Mr. Sukri Abu Bakar
Director, Domestic Investment Division
Tel.: +603-2267 3685
Email: sukri@mida.gov.my
KTPC
Name: Ms. Siti Norsakeena Mohd Arshad
Head of Corporate Communication
Tel: +604-403 2420 ext 134
Email: info@khtp.com.my
Hong Leong Bank
Name: Vivian Tan
Corporate Communication & CSR
Tel: +6032081 8888 Extn 61914
Email: viviantan@hlbb.hongleong.com.my
Name:Derrick Pang
Corporate Communication
Email: derrickpangcm@hlbb.hongleong.com.my
--BERNAMA