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Invest KL:
Greater Kuala Lumpur - The Regional Headquarters for Multinational Companies in Asia Written by: Sam Jermy Produced by: James Pepper
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INVEST KL
Iconic KL Financial Services hub is a boon to engineering and construction firms
Greater Kuala Lumpur, the business capital of Malaysia, is fast becoming one of the world’s top destinations for investors and multinationals, with InvestKL being the driving force behind this concerted effort 4
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enowned for its world-class infrastructure, Greater Kuala Lumpur serves as the preferred regional hub for investors to base their businesses and supervise activities along the value chain, with its investor-friendly business environment coupled with attractive tax activities. InvestKL is mandated by the Malaysian Government to attract and facilitate large global multinational companies to set up their regional business, innovation and talent hubs in Greater Kuala Lumpur and strategically grow their business in Asia. Greater Kuala Lumpur’s formulas for success come from its many advantages, which include its business-friendly policies, well-developed infrastructure, quality of life and robust talent pool.
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Malaysia was ranked the most popular emerging market destination beyond BRIC countries and ranked 12th in global competitiveness. It was also ranked sixth for Ease of Doing Business; World Bank’s report on Ease of Doing Business, 2014. Greater Kuala Lumpur was also ranked the 2nd most competitive city and the most livable city in South East Asia. At the same time, it was ranked the second best work culture. And yet, it remains a very affordable city, ranked 115th for worldwide cost of living (#1 = most expensive) Zainal Amanshah, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of InvestKL Corporation, said: “Greater Kuala Lumpur has attracted an array of investors from across the globe, with North American and European companies in particular. Companies from Asia such as Japan, Singapore and China also chose Greater Kuala Lumpur as their regional base due to its strategic location and business advantages.” Leading firms with a presence in Malaysia include French firm Colas Rail; Linde, A Forbes 2000 listed industrial gas and engineering company from Germany and Darden which is the first and largest commercial scale lobster farmer, and AECOM- a global provider of professional technical and management support services to a broad range of markets, including transportation, facilities, environmental, energy, water and government.
Key Personnel
Zainal Amanshah CEO Zainal Amanshah was appointed Chief Executive Officer of InvestKL in 2011. With more than 22 years of experience in the private sector, Zainal has held senior positions in multinationals, Malaysian companies and startups. Prior to joining InvestKL, he was the Group CEO of REDtone, a Malaysian public listed telecommunications provider. He was also one of the company’s founders. In the course of his career, Zainal has familiarised himself with many industries such as banking, insurance, oil & gas, automotive and manufacturing. He is also well versed with the public sector especially with regards to foreign investment.
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INVEST KL
The agency intends to focus on investments in the six sectors
InvestKL facilitated AECOM to set up its Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Greater Kuala Lumpur, via the Technology Specialist in Specific Domain Expertise (TeSSDE) programme. In addition, Turner Construction Co, a multinational construction firm, has been in Asia since 1965 when it managed the construction of Hong Kong’s Mei Foo Sun Chuen, one of the world’s largest residential developments at that time. Since then, it has placed its fingerprint on a number of iconic developments dotted throughout the Asia-Pacific region. In Greater Kuala Lumpur, it is now doing infrastructure work on the Tun Razak Exchange,
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involved in the construction of the Warisan Tower and the Warisan Merdeka Mall, the Four Seasons Place KL and working on Tradewinds Square, Menara Tun Razak and the Etiqa office tower, a 38-storey office tower in Greater Kuala Lumpur. With more than a handful of projects in Malaysia, Turner’s decision to set up an office in Greater Kuala Lumpur was based on more than just the potential of the Malaysian market. “Our decision was guided by three factors, including the potential the Malaysia market offers not only in Greater Kuala Lumpur but throughout the peninsula,” Jack Cummiskey, vice-president and regional manager, Asia Turner International Malaysia Sdn Bhd. said of its work in the Asian markets. “In addition, we have found a very business friendly environment which supports our overall growth strategies for the region. In turn, KLIA offers the best access to the South-East Asia region making Greater Kuala Lumpur a natural choice for our regional headquarters,” Cummiskey said. Leading ASEAN economy A proven investment destination for multinational corporations, Greater Kuala Lumpur is positioned on the dynamic growth in Asia. Greater Kuala Lumpur is home to major multinationals including BMW, British American Tobacco, Shell and many others. Greater Kuala Lumpur is also at the centre
InvestKL - Greater Kuala Lumpur Corporate Video
“Greater Kuala Lumpur has attracted an array of investors from across the globe, with North American and European companies in particular” – Zainal Amanshah, CEO
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GKL at a glance : • Population: 7.2 million • 150,000 graduates annually • 39 public universities • 37 international schools • Formula One host since 1999 • 15 world class golf courses • 18 museums and art galleries • 1,990 weekly flights to 103 cities • 21 million TEUs (20ft Equivalent Unit) Port Handling in 2012
The KL118 Tower, scheduled for completion in 2019, will add Xxxxxxxxxx new heights to Kuala Lumpur’s already iconic skyline
INVEST KL of high growth Asian markets; robust trade and domestic demand with a huge market potential of 4.4 billion people and there is a strong foreign direct investment with $12 billion in 2013, an increase of 25 percent from 2012. The vicinity is one of the most cost competitive places on earth with high-skill and high-value talent at economical rates. With world class infrastructure consisting of highly efficient road, rail, sea and air connectivity, all the sectors are set to flourish and become the top 20 livable cities in the world by 2020. Planning for growth Greater Kuala Lumpur already contributes 30 percent of Malaysia’s gross national income, totalling $60 billion. Its contribution will be a lot more in 2020 when population will have grown 40 percent to 10 million, as is forecast. “That is good news, but it also
“The challenges associated with upgrading or initiating new urban infrastructure projects over the next six years are business opportunities for global engineering and construction companies” – Zainal Amanshah, CEO
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Key Personnel
Datuk Seri Michael K C Yam Chairman Manager He had an illustrious career spanning 30 years in the construction, real estate and corporate sectors with the last 12 years until 2008 helming two different award winning public listed property companies. During his stewardship of these two companies and prior to that in top management positions with various organisations, he was actively involved in the development and management of hotels, resorts, shopping malls, golf estates, international schools and various mixed developments, not only in Malaysia but also in Australia, UK and South Africa.
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INVEST KL
The Mass Rapid Transit first line, Sungai Buloh to Kajang, is under construction, planned for completion in 2017. Pictured is a rendering of a new MRT station to be built
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poses a challenge in terms of how to prepare for that,� said Amanshah. “However, challenges can be opportunities in disguise. And the challenges associated with upgrading or initiating new urban infrastructure projects over the next six years are business opportunities for global engineering and construction companies. “This is particularly true for E&C players that win contracts to play a role in implementing key projects and remain in Greater Kuala Lumpur after those projects are completed to service
other projects taking shape elsewhere in Asia.” AECOM, a leading global engineering design firm with an already significant operation in Greater Kuala Lumpur, predicts continued growth in construction and infrastructure spending in Asia. Infrastructure was behind 37 percent of total construction spending of $32 billion in 2013 in Asia, according to AECOM’s Asia Construction Outlook 2014 report. These trends are good news for Malaysia, and Greater Kuala Lumpur particularly, where several major public infrastructure projects are now under way or soon will be as part of the region’s National Key Economic Area (NKEA) status, and for engineering and construction firms that are in Greater Kuala Lumpur now or are considering opening operations there. These projects include: High-speed rail service between Kuala Lumpur and Singapore, which would reduce the 350 kilometre journey to 90 minutes; An integrated Urban Mass Rapid Transit System incorporating light rail and monorail, bus, taxi and terminal components; River Cleaning and Beautification with a view to making the Klang River a central ingredient in Greater Kuala Lumpur’s revitalization programme. In summary, Greater Kuala Lumpur is Malaysia’s primary facilitator of trade, most economically vibrant and commercially important region. The city intends to become a world-class metropolis and one of the world’s top investments destinations.
Company Information INDUSTRY
Government entity HEADQUARTERS
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia FOUNDED
2011 EMPLOYEES
40 REVENUE
Not disclosed PRODUCTS/ SERVICES
Invest KL is tasked to attract 100 of the world’s largest multinationals to invest in the Greater Kuala Lumpur area by 2020
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INVEST KL 16th Floor, Menara SSM@Sentral, No. 7, Jalan Stesen Sentral 5, Kuala Lumpur Sentral Tel. +603 2260 2270 Fax. +603 2260 2292 info@investkl.gov.my www.investkl.com