KUALA LUMPUR: The Ministry of Digital said Microsoft's investment of RM10.5 billion (US$2.2 billion) over the next four years is a sign of trust in Malaysia's digital prospects and a significant step in advancing the country's digital economy.
In a joint statement by the Ministry of Digital and Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC) today, the ministry said the partnership between Microsoft and the government for the establishment of a national AI Centre of Excellence (COE) and the enhancement of the nation's cybersecurity capabilities is poised to drive further progress in these critical areas.
The ministry also commended Microsoft's efforts to provide AI training for 200,000 individuals and empower 2,000 Malaysian developers through the AI Odyssey initiative.
"Microsoft has played a pivotal role in numerous collaborative initiatives, including talent development, startup support, and digital adoption for micro small and medium enterprises (MSMEs).
"This investment reaffirms Microsoft's commitment to Malaysia's digital growth and showcases the strength of the partnership," it said.
The statement said Microsoft's support has been instrumental in MDEC's efforts to build a robust digital tech talent pipeline, from schools to tertiary learning institutions, and to reskill and upskill the existing workforce to meet evolving industry demands.
This collaboration has led to the creation of the Premier Digital Tech Institutions (PDTI) network, comprising 42 tech-related faculties across 24 tertiary institutions nationwide, and has fostered a pool of AI-ready local companies within the MDEC ecosystem.
With the support of MDEC, Microsoft's investment encompasses the creation of global business services and the expansion of data centres in key areas throughout Malaysia.
"Microsoft has also been a key partner in the public sector's digitalisation agenda, having signed the Cloud Framework Agreement with the government in 2022," it added.
"The Ministry of Digital looks forward to continued collaboration with Microsoft and other industry leaders to drive innovation, foster digital talent development, and accelerate Malaysia's journey towards becoming a global digital hub," the statement said.