PENANG sees tremendous potential for deeper synergy with the Netherlands, a nation long recognised as a global powerhouse in semiconductor innovation and home to some of the world’s leading technology companies and research institutions.
Speaking at the Business Networking Reception for the Netherlands Advanced Manufacturing Trade Mission 2025 at the Olive Tree Hotel in Bayan Lepas this evening, Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said Penang’s robust semiconductor and advanced manufacturing ecosystem complements Dutch strengths, creating fertile ground for collaboration, co-development, and shared economic growth.
“Over the past 50 years, Penang has built a resilient manufacturing ecosystem that has withstood global disruptions.
“Today, Penang stands as an advanced manufacturing hub, home to more than 350 multinational corporations (MNCs), including Dutch companies, and 6,500 local manufacturing-related small and medium enterprises (SMEs). Together, they form a highly conducive ecosystem for investors to operate, innovate, and expand.
“In the first three quarters of 2025 alone, Penang secured RM15.8 billion in approved manufacturing investments, RM12.3 billion from foreign direct investment (FDI) and RM3.5 billion from domestic direct investment (DDI). These investments are expected to create over 16,000 new jobs.
“The electrical and electronics (E&E), machinery and equipment, and chemicals and chemical products sectors accounted for 89% of the total approved manufacturing investments, reaffirming Penang’s strong positioning in high-value, technology-driven industries,” he said.
Chow also highlighted that the Netherlands remains one of Penang’s top and most impactful investors.
Between 2020 and 2024, Dutch investments contributed RM98.3 billion in approved manufacturing FDI, representing 58% of Penang’s total manufacturing FDI during that period.
On the trade front, he noted that Penang recorded RM464.7 billion in export value for the first 10 months of 2025, contributing 35% to Malaysia’s total exports and solidifying Penang’s position as the nation’s top exporting state.
Penang’s exports to the Netherlands during the same period reached RM13.6 billion, equivalent to 39% of Malaysia’s total exports to the Netherlands. These figures, he said, underscore the enduring and strategic economic partnership between the two economies.
Chow also announced that InvestPenang is currently conceptualising the establishment of an Automation, Test, and Equipment (ATE) campus.
“This initiative aims to accelerate innovation and strengthen the ATE ecosystem, especially in integrated device manufacturing (IDM), electronics manufacturing services (EMS), and semiconductor equipment manufacturing,” he said.
The initiative is expected to empower local companies to seize new and emerging opportunities.
He shared that the concept was inspired by the Brainport Industries Campus in the Netherlands, and expressed hope that its success could be replicated in Penang.
He also extended an invitation to the Brainport Industries Campus to explore potential collaboration.
Chow affirmed that the state government, through InvestPenang and various state agencies and the Federal Government, via the Malaysian Investment Development Authority (Mida), remains committed to fostering meaningful and sustainable economic partnerships with the Netherlands.
Also present were the Kingdom of the Netherlands to Malaysia deputy ambassador Pieter Blussé, InvestPenang chief executive officer Datuk Loo Lee Lian, Penang Mida director Muhammad Ghaddaffi Sardar Mohamed and Malaysia Semiconductor Industry Association (MSIA) president Datuk Seri Wong Siew Hai.
Story by Riadz Akmal
Pix by Alissala Thian