21/04/2026

BIZ & FINANCE TUESDAY | APR 21, 2026

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Sultan happy local investors contributed 58% of state’s total investments in 2025 SHAH ALAM: The Sultan of Selangor Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah ex pressed his happiness that RM48.9 billion or 58.3% of the total value of investment in the state in 2025 was from local investors. were created. “The state government expects that there is still potential to expand the manufacturing and industrial sector, which contributes 21.6%, through new investments, especially in high-technology sectors. people,” the Sultan said in conjunction with the opening ceremony of the first meeting of the fourth session of the 15th Selangor State Legislative Assembly for 2026 yesterday. target, and I was made to understand that this year, even more encouraging achievements will be achieved with a target of RM2.8 billion,” said Sultan Sharafuddin.

been reduced from 14.2% in 2022 to 8.5% in 2024. This must continue to be the focus of my government so that the people can live in better and more prosperous conditions in Selangor.” The Sultan was also informed that the state government had completed 75,493 affordable housing units as of the end of last year, with 40,000 units targeted for construction this year. – Bernama

Meanwhile, the Sultan was informed that the state collected RM3.02 billion in revenue last year, an increase of RM154 million from 2024. “The state government’s achieve ments last year exceeded the original

Moving forward, the Sultan of Selangor decreed that the issue of relative poverty should remain the focus of the state government in Selangor’s Budget 2026. “The relative poverty level has

The Sultan said he was informed that total investment in Selangor last year amounted to RM83.9 billion, exceeding the target of RM65 billion, and that 61,311 job opportunities Northern TechValley @ BKE attracts interest from foreign companies PETALING JAYA: Integrated in dustrial park Northern TechValley @ BKE has garnered foreign direct investment interest from corpo rations based in Singapore, the United States and China, in addition to domestic investments. The RM1.3 billion gross develop ment value industrial park in Penang – developed by Suling Hill Development Sdn Bhd, a joint venture between AME Elite Consortium Bhd and Majestic Gen Sdn Bhd – has thus far attracted customers from various industries, including warehousing, distribution hub, showroom, printing, service centre, autoparts, construction machinery, CNC (computer numerical control) machine and logistics sectors. Speaking at the launch of the Northern TechValley @ BKE show unit yesterday, Suling Hill director Dylan Tan Teck Eng said, “Our commitment is clear: We intend to catalyse the trajectory of growth-focused com panies by providing infrastructure ready and ESG-forward facilities in Northern TechValley@BKE.” Northern TechValley @ BKE has obtained GreenRE certification for both development and buildings, and integrates sustainability features such as eco-conscious materials. Among other initiatives, Suling Hill adopts thermally efficient materials, utilises durable construction, and flexible functional design to reduce long-term operating costs, extend lifecycle performance, and enable efficient operations. The first phase of Northern TechValley @ BKE comprises 1½-storey detached standard factories across over 20 acres, of which the show unit was launched yesterday. Subsequent phases on about 150 acres, which run concurrently, consist of larger built-to-suit facilities in accordance with customer re quirements, workers’accommodation, and general access infrastructure. At present, Suling Hill is undertaking infrastructure works, such as power and water supply, and high-speed fibre-optic internet. At the same time, it is constructing a RM30 million flyover bridge to enhance direct access to the Butterworth-Kulim Expressway (BKE). The 413-metre bridge aims to reduce travel time and improve logistics flow for businesses opera ting within and around Northern TechValley @ BKE. The flyover is slated for physical com-pletion in end-2026, with targeted com mencement in early 2027.

“Therefore, I hope there will be new efforts to further boost the manufacturing sector activities that can offer job opportunities to my

Malaysia’s trade robust, rises to RM273b in March o Exports increase to RM148.8 billion and imports reach RM124.2 billion billion), Hong Kong (+RM1.8 billion), Vietnam (+RM1.6 billion), Mexico (+RM1.5 billion), South Korea (+RM1.4 billion) and China (+RM1.1 billion).

which are 100% owned and controlled by IOIPG in Singapore’s most prestigious business district. The addition of AST2 to the IOI Properties Singapore’s Property Investment portfolio totalling NLA of 2.57 million square feet, is expected to strengthen the group’s recurring income base. As of March 31, 2026, the asset has an average occupancy rate of 95.8% and underpinned by resilient Singapore office demand from global occupiers as well as a constrained future pipeline of new premium office space in the CBD, AST2 is well-positioned to deliver positive rental reversions and sustainable performance over time. Operationally, IOI Properties Singa pore will leverage on its proven asset management capabilities at IOI Central Boulevard Towers and South Beach Tower to capture upcoming renewals, optimise operational performance, and drive long-term value. optical & scientific equipment (+RM745.4 million) and petroleum products (+RM494.3 million). Mohd Uzir noted that the expansion in imports by end-use was attributable to increased demand for capital goods. Imports of capital goods (13.1% of total imports) rose by 24.7% or RM3.2 billion, settling at RM16.3 billion. Consumption goods (7.2% of total imports) decreased by 7.8% or RM760.1 million to reach RM9 billion. Meanwhile, imports of inter mediate goods (46.9% of total imports) declined by 1.1% or RM635.7 million, amounting to RM58.3 billion compared to March 2025. Total trade, exports and imports for the period of January to March 2026 registered improvements. Total trade noted a double-digit increase by 10.4%, from RM715.7 billion to RM789.8 billion, in line with the rise in exports (+12.7%) as well as imports (+7.7%). Moreover, the trade surplus expanded by 54% to post a value of RM63.2 billion.

premium Grade A net lettable area, featuring efficient, large-format floor plates, best-in-class building specifications and seamless con nectivity to key transport and lifestyle nodes. Notably, the building is also directly linked to IOI Central Boulevard Towers via an elevated pedestrian bridge, enhancing intercon nectivity across the precinct and enabling greater integration within the group’s existing investment assets portfolio. IOIPG said the acquisition strengthens its presence within the Central Business District (CBD) precincts, complementing its prime existing portfolio of IOI Central Boulevard Towers and South Beach Tower. Collectively, these assets under management will form a critical mass of premium commercial developments valued at S$10 billion The import rise largely reflected higher inflows originating from China (+RM6.9 billion), followed by Singapore (+RM3.6 billion), South Korea (+RM1.5 billion), Vietnam (+RM1.4 billion), Taiwan (+RM1.4 billion), United States (+RM1 billion) and Switzerland (+RM777 million). Export growth was anchored by heightened shipments of E&E products (+RM9.4 billion), other manufactures (+RM2.4 billion), petroleum products (+RM1.8 billion), optical & scientific equip ment (+RM1.5 billion), manufacture of metal (+RM1.2 billion) and metalliferous ores & metal scrap (+RM1.1 billion). Concurrently, imports corres ponded with stronger inflows of E&E products (+RM12.2 billion), machinery, equipment & parts (+RM2 billion), metalliferous ores & metal scrap (+RM1.1 billion), manufacture of metal (+RM1 billion),

PETALING JAYA: Malaysia’s trade performance remained strong in March 2026, supported by con tinued expansion in both exports and imports. Total trade rose by 9.3% year-on year from RM249.8 billion to RM273 billion, driven by stronger growth of exports (+8.3%) valued at RM148.8 billion and imports (+10.4%) amounting to RM124.2 billion. The trade surplus decreased by 0.9% to RM24.6 billion in March 2026, according to the Malaysia External Trade Statistics Bulletin, March 2026 released yesterday. Chief Statistician Malaysia Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Uzir Mahidin said Malaysia’s exports increased in March 2026, supported by growth in re-exports and domestic exports. Re-exports, which accounted for 25.5% of total exports, rose by 38.3% year-on-year to RM37.9 billion. Meanwhile, domestic exports, PETALING JAYA: IOI Properties Group Bhd (IOIPG) will acquire CapitaLand Integrated Commercial Trust’s (CICT) 100% interest in Asia Square Tower 2 (AST2), a premium Grade A office asset located in the heart of Singapore’s Marina Bay financial district. The agreed property value of S$2.476 billion (about RM7.7 billion) was negotiated on a willing-buyer and willing-seller basis after taking into consideration the independent valuation by Savills dated April 12, 2026. It represents a discount of S$50 million to the market value appraised by Savills. In a statement yesterday, IOIPG said the put and call options agreement was inked between HSBC Institutional Trust Services (Singa pore) Limited in its capacity as the Trustee of CapitaLand Commercial Trust which is a wholly owned sub trust of CICT and IOI Marina View Pte Ltd, a wholly owned subsidiary of IOIPG. IOIPG CEO Datuk Lee Yeow Seng

contributing 74.5% of total exports, expanded by 0.9% to RM110.9 billion. Correspondingly, imports increased to RM124.2 billion, registering a rise of 10.4%. The trade surplus decreased by 0.9% to RM24.6 billion, marking the 71st consecutive month of surplus since May 2020. Compared with February 2026, exports, imports, total trade and trade surplus grew by 13.6%, 8.7%, 11.3% and 47%, respectively. From the perspective of com modity groups, 90 out of 259 export groups and 126 out of 259 import groups posted gains compared to the same month of the previous year. Mohd Uzir said the rise in exports was primarily underpinned by increased shipments to the United States (+RM4.2 billion), followed by Taiwan (+RM3.1

IOI Properties boosts presence in Singapore CBD with acquisition of Asia Square Tower 2

said: a cornerstone market for the group, underpinned by its stable socio political environment and strong global standing as a premier financial and business hub in Southeast Asia. Singapore attracts multinational corporations, “Singapore remains

global institutions and top tier talents, reinforcing its long-term economic resi lience. This latest acquisition reflects IOIPG’s continued conviction in prime

Singapore assets, which offer stable recurring income streams supported by strong market fundamentals.” In particular, he added, assets located within the Marina Bay precinct are well-positioned to benefit from sustained demand, limited supply, and ongoing urban transformation. AST2 is a landmark development offering about 773,460 square feet of