Digital Investment Office (DIO)

Malaysia, the Digital Hub of ASEAN
Digital Investment Office (DIO)
Malaysia, the Digital Hub of ASEAN
Digital Investment Office (DIO)
Malaysia, the Digital Hub of ASEAN
Digital Investment Office (DIO)
Malaysia, the Digital Hub of ASEAN
Digital Investment Office (DIO)
Download Digital Investment Guide
Digital Investment Office (DIO)
Download Digital Investment Guide
Digital Investment Office (DIO)
Download Digital Investment Guide
Digital Investment Office (DIO)
Download Digital Investment Guide
Digital Investment Office (DIO)

| NEXT

Malaysia, the Digital Hub of ASEAN
Digital Investment Office (DIO)
Malaysia, the Digital Hub of ASEAN
Digital Investment Office (DIO)
Malaysia, the Digital Hub of ASEAN
Digital Investment Office (DIO)
Malaysia, the Digital Hub of ASEAN
Digital Investment Office (DIO)
Download Digital Investment Guide
Digital Investment Office (DIO)
Download Digital Investment Guide
Digital Investment Office (DIO)
Download Digital Investment Guide
Digital Investment Office (DIO)
Download Digital Investment Guide
Digital Investment Office (DIO)

| NEXT

Why Malaysia?

Business Continuity

Mature, Innovative Digital ecosystem & Infrastructure

Multilingual & Digitally – savvy Talent Pool

Value Driven Cost of Doing Business

Expanding Digital Focus Nationwide

Expanding Digital Focus Nationwide
Business Continuity
Mature, Innovative Digital ecosystem & Infrastructure
Multilingual & Digitally – savvy Talent Pool
Value Driven Cost of Doing Business
Expanding Digital Focus Nationwide
Business Continuity

Introduction to Malaysia Digital

Malaysia Digital (MD) is a national strategic initiative by the government to encourage and attract companies, talents and investment while enabling Malaysian businesses and the Rakyat to play a leading part in the global digital economy.

The Mission

Drive digital adoption among aspiring young entrepreneurs, companies and the rakyat.

Attract high-value digital investments.

Support local tech companies to become “Malaysian champions” and successful international players.

3
Support local tech companies to become “Malaysian champions” and successful international players.
1
Drive digital adoption among aspiring young entrepreneurs, companies and the rakyat.
2
Attract high-value digital investments.
3
Support local tech companies to become “Malaysian champions” and successful international players.
1
Drive digital adoption among aspiring young entrepreneurs, companies and the rakyat.

Grow your business opportunities in Malaysia

Situated in a strategic location within ASEAN, Malaysia is a business hub for Industrial, Supply Chain and Global Business Services activities. A world leader in IT where technology drives value across all industries, Malaysia is uniquely positioned as the scalable location of choice for knowledge and digital businesses.

Malaysia Digital Promoted Sectors

DIO is supporting the development of technologies under Malaysia Digital’s 9 key sectors:

Islamic Digital Economy
Digital Agriculture
Digital Services
Digital Cities
Digital Health
Digital Finance
Digital Trade
Digital Content
Digital Tourism
Islamic Digital Economy
Digital Agriculture

MALAYSIA DIGITAL PROMOTED TECH ENABLERS

Advanced 5G network connectivity and/or telecommunication technology
Artificial Intelligence & Big Data Analytics
Blockchain
Cloud & Data Centre
Cybersecurity
DroneTech
Internet of Things
Robotic, Automation & Extended Reality
Creative Media Technology including extended reality (XR) and/or mixed reality (MR)
Integrated circuit (IC) design and/or embedded software
Advanced 5G network connectivity and/or telecommunication technology
Artificial Intelligence & Big Data Analytics

THE MALAYSIA DIGITAL OPPORTUNITIES

Spurring investment by developing new key sectors and digital hubs across Malaysia, anchoring on catalytic companies to create a thriving local MSME ecosystem.

Malaysia Digital envisions Malaysia to be the preferred hub for world class digital businesses and talents.

Selangor

W.P Kuala Lumpur

Perak

GBS@Ipoh

Johor

Kedah

Pahang

GBS@Pahang

Sarawak

Irix DC@Sentubong

Learn more on our Strategic Opportunities and Economic Potential

QUICK FACTS

Islamic Digital Economy
Malaysia ranks 1st in DinarStandard’s Global Islamic Economy Indicator 2023/24
Fintech
Malaysia ranks 1st in DinarStandard’s Global Islamic Fintech (GIFT) Index 2023/24
Digital Global Business Services
3rd best location in Kearney’s Global Services Location Index since 2004
Data centre
Kuala Lumpur and Johor were noted as top markets for tax incentives and water availability in Cushman & Wakefield’s Global Data Center Market Comparison 2024
IoT and AI
Malaysia’s affordable IoT hardware and local capabilities in IoT software to support experimentation and prototyping, with high captive demand in local sectors (e.g., manufacturing, agriculture)
Cybersecurity
As of July 2023, Malaysia reached the highest score on the National Cyber Security Index among countries in the Asia-Pacific region, 79.22 out of 100
Blockchain
A thriving blockchain ecosystem at Blockchain Village @Medini (BV@M)
Digital Agriculture
Malaysia ranks second in ASEAN on the 2022 Global Food Security Index (GFSI)
Digital Cities
Kuala Lumpur ranks 7th in Asia and 23rd in the world in the Economist Impact’s Digital Cities Index 2022
Islamic Digital Economy
Malaysia ranks 1st in DinarStandard’s Global Islamic Economy Indicator 2023/24
Fintech
Malaysia ranks 1st in DinarStandard’s Global Islamic Fintech (GIFT) Index 2023/24
Digital Global Business Services
3rd best location in Kearney’s Global Services Location Index since 2004
Data centre
Kuala Lumpur and Johor were noted as top markets for tax incentives and water availability in Cushman & Wakefield’s Global Data Center Market Comparison 2024
IoT and AI
Malaysia’s affordable IoT hardware and local capabilities in IoT software to support experimentation and prototyping, with high captive demand in local sectors (e.g., manufacturing, agriculture)
Cybersecurity
As of July 2023, Malaysia reached the highest score on the National Cyber Security Index among countries in the Asia-Pacific region, 79.22 out of 100

Digital Global Business Services
3rd best location in Kearney’s Global Services Location Index since 2004
Data centre
Kuala Lumpur and Johor were noted as top markets for tax incentives and water availability in Cushman & Wakefield’s Global Data Center Market Comparison 2024
IoT and AI
Malaysia’s affordable IoT hardware and local capabilities in IoT software to support experimentation and prototyping, with high captive demand in local sectors (e.g., manufacturing, agriculture)
Cybersecurity
As of July 2023, Malaysia reached the highest score on the National Cyber Security Index among countries in the Asia-Pacific region, 79.22 out of 100
Blockchain
A thriving blockchain ecosystem at Blockchain Village @Medini (BV@M)
Digital Agriculture
Malaysia ranks second in ASEAN on the 2022 Global Food Security Index (GFSI)
Digital Cities
Kuala Lumpur ranks 7th in Asia and 23rd in the world in the Economist Impact’s Digital Cities Index 2022
Islamic Digital Economy
Malaysia ranks 1st in DinarStandard’s Global Islamic Economy Indicator 2023/24
Fintech
Malaysia ranks 1st in DinarStandard’s Global Islamic Fintech (GIFT) Index 2023/24
Digital Global Business Services
3rd best location in Kearney’s Global Services Location Index since 2004
Data centre
Kuala Lumpur and Johor were noted as top markets for tax incentives and water availability in Cushman & Wakefield’s Global Data Center Market Comparison 2024
IoT and AI
Malaysia’s affordable IoT hardware and local capabilities in IoT software to support experimentation and prototyping, with high captive demand in local sectors (e.g., manufacturing, agriculture)

Malaysia, the Digital Hub of ASEAN

Harnessing the power of community and technology to deliver a digital future, Malaysia’s flourishing digital economy is one of ASEAN’s bright spots.

At the heart of digital ASEAN, strong connectivity, infrastructure and talent make Malaysia the top choice for the world’s leading industries, companies and start-ups.

Malaysia, A Digital Nation

97.4%
Malaysia’s internet penetration rate of the total population at the start of 2024
2nd
Malaysia's rank in the Upper Middle-Income category in the Global Talent Competitiveness Index 2023
9th
Malaysia’s rank in the IMD World Digital Competitiveness Ranking 2023 among Asia-Pacific countries
1st
Malaysia’s rank on the National Cyber Security Index among Asia-Pacific countries
3rd
Malaysia's rank globally in the Kearney's Global Services Location Index 2023
1st
Malaysia's rank globally in the Global Islamic Fintech Index 2023/24
3rd
Malaysia's rank in the Upper Middle-Income category in the WIPO Global Innovation Index 2023
6th
Malaysia's rank in Asia in the Digital Quality of Life Index 2023
4th
Malaysia's rank globally in the Best Places for Expats 2023 by InterNations
97.4%
Malaysia’s internet penetration rate of the total population at the start of 2024
2nd
Malaysia's rank in the Upper Middle-Income category in the Global Talent Competitiveness Index 2023

Learn how we are Reinventing Malaysia as a Global & Regional Leader in Digital Tech Industries

Digital Investment Announcements

Access Group opens APAC hub in KL, creating over 1k high value jobs by 2027
14 November 2024
The Access Group, which claims to be one of the largest UK-based business management software providers, with £480 million in revenue in 2023 has officially launched its Global Operations Centre (GOC) in Kuala Lumpur on 11 Nov. The GOC is positioned as a key part of Access Group’s APAC expansion strategy, joining innovation hubs in Loughborough, UK, and Timisoara, Romania.
+ Read More
RM141.7b worth of digital investments approved in 2024, 41,078 jobs created, and 10 data centres operating in Johor, says Gobind
12 November 2024
The Digital Ministry has announced that digital investments totalling RM141.72 billion were approved in the first 10 months of this year. Minister YB Gobind Singh Deo said that in the January-October 2024 period, 41,078 job opportunities were created in the digital economy sector.
+ Read More
Telekom Malaysia to expand data centers in Cyberjaya and Johor
12 November 2024
Telekom Malaysia is expanding two of its data centers. The company announced that TM Global, TM’s wholesale business arm, will expand its Klang Valley data centre in Cyberjaya and Iskandar Puteri data centre in Johor, scheduled for commercial operations in 2025.
+ Read More
Malaysia records approved investments of RM254.7bil in first 9 months of 2024 - PM
11 December 2024
Malaysia has successfully recorded total approved investments valued at RM254.7 billion from various economic sectors for the first nine months of this year, marking an increase of 10.7% compared with RM230.2 billion for the same period in 2023.
+ Read More
China-based ZTE to invest RM200m in Malaysia for development of innovation centres
10 December 2024
China-based telecoms equipment giant ZTE Corporation is set to invest RM200 million in Malaysia to establish two innovation centres and introduce the latest 5G technology through collaborations with local operators.
+ Read More
AI, digital investments may be next leg of SE Asia’s FDI growth
9 December 2024
Growth of foreign direct investment in Southeast Asia could continue to outpace China during global and regional supply-chain realignment. While flows have remained largely directed into manufacturing, there’s a surge of interest in services and digital industries. Malaysia has staged a strong comeback while Vietnam has fallen victim to a high-base effect.
+ Read More
How Malaysia is setting itself up as an AI hub
9 December 2024
In recent years, Malaysia has emerged as a data centre powerhouse in the Asia-Pacific region, driven by a global surge in demand and an established data centre sector. With favourable conditions such as the availability of land, cheaper electricity, and an advantageous geographical location, the country has attracted numerous firms to establish data centre operations within its borders.
+ Read More
ASEAN has potential in digital economy, manufacturing, and supply chains led by BRICS members
5 December 2024
ASEAN countries have the potential to capitalise on significant opportunities in the digital economy, manufacturing, and supply chains led by BRICS countries, which are dialogue partners of the region, said the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry.
+ Read More
Malaysia's digital economy poised to hit US$31bil in 2024
27 November 2024
Malaysia's digital economy is set to reach US$31 billion in gross merchandise value in 2024, marking a 16% increase from the previous year. This growth is part of the broader positive trend identified in the latest report on e-Conomy Southeast Asia (SEA) 2024 by Google, Temasek, and Bain & Company.
+ Read More
Oracle: US$6.5 bil investment in Malaysia ‘more than a data centre’
27 November 2024
Oracle Corp recently announced a massive investment plan of over US$6.5 billion to set up its first public cloud region in Malaysia, making it the latest major investment by a global tech giant in the country. It was reported that Oracle’s initiative is poised to be one of the largest - if not the largest - single tech investment to date in Malaysia, surpassing the US$6.2 billion that AWS announced last year.
+ Read More
Why AI is Southeast Asia's new engine for profitable growth
21 November 2024
Southeast Asia's digital economy is experiencing rapid growth and profitability, with AI emerging as a key driver in its continued success. As the 2024 e-Conomy SEA report highlights, Southeast Asia is ideally positioned as a fertile ground for AI development and adoption. Strategic investments in areas like GenAI adoption, talent development and AI infrastructure, as well as a supportive policy environment, are vital.
+ Read More
Global participation in Smart Nation Expo 2024 shows confidence in Malaysia - Gobind
20 November 2024
The participation of various brands and countries at the Smart Nation Expo 2024 reflects their confidence in Malaysia as a major digital investment centre, said Digital Minister YB Gobind Singh Deo. He noted that 21,000 participants participated in the expo which entered its third edition this year, with over 600 exhibiting companies from 23 countries, covering seven pavilions.
+ Read More
Access Group opens APAC hub in KL, creating over 1k high value jobs by 2027
14 November 2024
The Access Group, which claims to be one of the largest UK-based business management software providers, with £480 million in revenue in 2023 has officially launched its Global Operations Centre (GOC) in Kuala Lumpur on 11 Nov. The GOC is positioned as a key part of Access Group’s APAC expansion strategy, joining innovation hubs in Loughborough, UK, and Timisoara, Romania.
+ Read More
RM141.7b worth of digital investments approved in 2024, 41,078 jobs created, and 10 data centres operating in Johor, says Gobind
12 November 2024
The Digital Ministry has announced that digital investments totalling RM141.72 billion were approved in the first 10 months of this year. Minister YB Gobind Singh Deo said that in the January-October 2024 period, 41,078 job opportunities were created in the digital economy sector.
+ Read More
Telekom Malaysia to expand data centers in Cyberjaya and Johor
12 November 2024
Telekom Malaysia is expanding two of its data centers. The company announced that TM Global, TM’s wholesale business arm, will expand its Klang Valley data centre in Cyberjaya and Iskandar Puteri data centre in Johor, scheduled for commercial operations in 2025.
+ Read More
Malaysia records approved investments of RM254.7bil in first 9 months of 2024 - PM
11 December 2024
Malaysia has successfully recorded total approved investments valued at RM254.7 billion from various economic sectors for the first nine months of this year, marking an increase of 10.7% compared with RM230.2 billion for the same period in 2023.
+ Read More
China-based ZTE to invest RM200m in Malaysia for development of innovation centres
10 December 2024
China-based telecoms equipment giant ZTE Corporation is set to invest RM200 million in Malaysia to establish two innovation centres and introduce the latest 5G technology through collaborations with local operators.
+ Read More
AI, digital investments may be next leg of SE Asia’s FDI growth
9 December 2024
Growth of foreign direct investment in Southeast Asia could continue to outpace China during global and regional supply-chain realignment. While flows have remained largely directed into manufacturing, there’s a surge of interest in services and digital industries. Malaysia has staged a strong comeback while Vietnam has fallen victim to a high-base effect.
+ Read More

RM141.7b worth of digital investments approved in 2024, 41,078 jobs created, and 10 data centres operating in Johor, says Gobind
12 November 2024
The Digital Ministry has announced that digital investments totalling RM141.72 billion were approved in the first 10 months of this year. Minister YB Gobind Singh Deo said that in the January-October 2024 period, 41,078 job opportunities were created in the digital economy sector.
+ Read More
Telekom Malaysia to expand data centers in Cyberjaya and Johor
12 November 2024
Telekom Malaysia is expanding two of its data centers. The company announced that TM Global, TM’s wholesale business arm, will expand its Klang Valley data centre in Cyberjaya and Iskandar Puteri data centre in Johor, scheduled for commercial operations in 2025.
+ Read More
Malaysia records approved investments of RM254.7bil in first 9 months of 2024 - PM
11 December 2024
Malaysia has successfully recorded total approved investments valued at RM254.7 billion from various economic sectors for the first nine months of this year, marking an increase of 10.7% compared with RM230.2 billion for the same period in 2023.
+ Read More
China-based ZTE to invest RM200m in Malaysia for development of innovation centres
10 December 2024
China-based telecoms equipment giant ZTE Corporation is set to invest RM200 million in Malaysia to establish two innovation centres and introduce the latest 5G technology through collaborations with local operators.
+ Read More
AI, digital investments may be next leg of SE Asia’s FDI growth
9 December 2024
Growth of foreign direct investment in Southeast Asia could continue to outpace China during global and regional supply-chain realignment. While flows have remained largely directed into manufacturing, there’s a surge of interest in services and digital industries. Malaysia has staged a strong comeback while Vietnam has fallen victim to a high-base effect.
+ Read More
How Malaysia is setting itself up as an AI hub
9 December 2024
In recent years, Malaysia has emerged as a data centre powerhouse in the Asia-Pacific region, driven by a global surge in demand and an established data centre sector. With favourable conditions such as the availability of land, cheaper electricity, and an advantageous geographical location, the country has attracted numerous firms to establish data centre operations within its borders.
+ Read More
ASEAN has potential in digital economy, manufacturing, and supply chains led by BRICS members
5 December 2024
ASEAN countries have the potential to capitalise on significant opportunities in the digital economy, manufacturing, and supply chains led by BRICS countries, which are dialogue partners of the region, said the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry.
+ Read More
Malaysia's digital economy poised to hit US$31bil in 2024
27 November 2024
Malaysia's digital economy is set to reach US$31 billion in gross merchandise value in 2024, marking a 16% increase from the previous year. This growth is part of the broader positive trend identified in the latest report on e-Conomy Southeast Asia (SEA) 2024 by Google, Temasek, and Bain & Company.
+ Read More
Oracle: US$6.5 bil investment in Malaysia ‘more than a data centre’
27 November 2024
Oracle Corp recently announced a massive investment plan of over US$6.5 billion to set up its first public cloud region in Malaysia, making it the latest major investment by a global tech giant in the country. It was reported that Oracle’s initiative is poised to be one of the largest - if not the largest - single tech investment to date in Malaysia, surpassing the US$6.2 billion that AWS announced last year.
+ Read More
Why AI is Southeast Asia's new engine for profitable growth
21 November 2024
Southeast Asia's digital economy is experiencing rapid growth and profitability, with AI emerging as a key driver in its continued success. As the 2024 e-Conomy SEA report highlights, Southeast Asia is ideally positioned as a fertile ground for AI development and adoption. Strategic investments in areas like GenAI adoption, talent development and AI infrastructure, as well as a supportive policy environment, are vital.
+ Read More
Global participation in Smart Nation Expo 2024 shows confidence in Malaysia - Gobind
20 November 2024
The participation of various brands and countries at the Smart Nation Expo 2024 reflects their confidence in Malaysia as a major digital investment centre, said Digital Minister YB Gobind Singh Deo. He noted that 21,000 participants participated in the expo which entered its third edition this year, with over 600 exhibiting companies from 23 countries, covering seven pavilions.
+ Read More
Access Group opens APAC hub in KL, creating over 1k high value jobs by 2027
14 November 2024
The Access Group, which claims to be one of the largest UK-based business management software providers, with £480 million in revenue in 2023 has officially launched its Global Operations Centre (GOC) in Kuala Lumpur on 11 Nov. The GOC is positioned as a key part of Access Group’s APAC expansion strategy, joining innovation hubs in Loughborough, UK, and Timisoara, Romania.
+ Read More
RM141.7b worth of digital investments approved in 2024, 41,078 jobs created, and 10 data centres operating in Johor, says Gobind
12 November 2024
The Digital Ministry has announced that digital investments totalling RM141.72 billion were approved in the first 10 months of this year. Minister YB Gobind Singh Deo said that in the January-October 2024 period, 41,078 job opportunities were created in the digital economy sector.
+ Read More
Telekom Malaysia to expand data centers in Cyberjaya and Johor
12 November 2024
Telekom Malaysia is expanding two of its data centers. The company announced that TM Global, TM’s wholesale business arm, will expand its Klang Valley data centre in Cyberjaya and Iskandar Puteri data centre in Johor, scheduled for commercial operations in 2025.
+ Read More
Malaysia records approved investments of RM254.7bil in first 9 months of 2024 - PM
11 December 2024
Malaysia has successfully recorded total approved investments valued at RM254.7 billion from various economic sectors for the first nine months of this year, marking an increase of 10.7% compared with RM230.2 billion for the same period in 2023.
+ Read More
China-based ZTE to invest RM200m in Malaysia for development of innovation centres
10 December 2024
China-based telecoms equipment giant ZTE Corporation is set to invest RM200 million in Malaysia to establish two innovation centres and introduce the latest 5G technology through collaborations with local operators.
+ Read More

“A key factor on why Malaysia is a magnet for FinTech is that the country has a set of comprehensive regulatory guidelines that clearly list the requirements for fintech players to operate their businesses.”

Wong Wai Ken

Country Manager, StashAway Malaysia

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Malaysia, the Digital Hub of ASEAN