MELBOURNE: Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said the government's stability in the past year is the main factor which has attracted investors to Malaysia.
The prime minister said the government's committment towards institutional reform has also enabled it to remain stable with a more than two-thirds majority support.
"In the past several months, we have introduced various new polices which are clear, besides the economic agenda in the industrial and energy transition plan.
"I feel that these are the reasons we have been successful in attracting the highest amount of domestic and foreign investments ever recorded, and this confirms the level of confidence people have and the new leadership," he said when delivering a keynote during a roundtable with captains of industries here today.
Also present were Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz.
Anwar had earlier held a four-eyed meeting with Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin.
They both exchanged views on the development of agreed initiatives, which will add value to bilateral trade.
In his speech, Anwar said the Investment, Trade and Industry Ministry has been given the mandate to main Malaysia's competitiveness.
"Of course we are lucky as we are in the fastest-growing region and we will become chairman (of Asean) next year.
"However, there are new dimensions...among them are the Asean-Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Framework of Cooperation, in which a meeting was held last year with the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Qatar; and it had been deteremined that we would meet again next year.
"I feel we are moving forward and gaining new partners...we welcome your committment today and in the future to increase investment in Malaysia," said Anwar.
The roundtable today involved 18 companies comprising seven manufacturing companies, three in services, seven related to imports and one association.
On Feb 22, Anwar had said that Malaysia recorded an increase in approved investments when its value reached RM329.5 billion last year, which is 23 per cent higher as compared to 2022.
The amount recorded was the highest in the country's history.
Of the total investment, foreign investment is the main contributor, accounting for 57.2 per cent compared to domestic investment at 42.8 per cent.
This outstanding performance is supported by a 35.1 per cent increase in domestic investment and a 15.3 per cent increase in foreign investment.
Anwar had also said that the remarkable performance in the investment landscape reflected the recovery and revival of Malaysia's economy throughout the year of the Madani government's administration.
Trade and economic ties between Malaysia and Australia has matured and become comprehensive.
Between 2022 and 2023, Malaysia was Australia's second biggest trade partner among Asean members and the eighth overall biggest trade partner.
Australia is Malaysia 10th biggest trade partner.
In 2023, bilateral trade between Malaysia and Australia reached US$18.57 billion (RM84.64 billion).
As of December last year, Australia approved 582 projects in Malaysia with 366 investments having been realised.
Among the renowned Australian retailers that operate in Malaysia include Aesop, Blackmores, Boost Juice, Cotton On, Harvey Norman and King Living.
Among the Australian higher learning institutions in Malaysia are Curtin University, Monas University, Swinburne University and University of Wollongong.
Other popular brands include BlueScope, Cochlear, SEEK and Lendlease.
