KUALA LUMPUR, Invest KL Corporation (InvestKL) secured RM3.3 billion in investments and created 3,389 high-value regional jobs by establishing six global services hubs in the first half of 2024 despite current global challenges. These services hubs comprise a data centre, a centre of excellence, a global operation centre, an Asia-Pacific global business services hub, an engineering, procurement, construction, and installation execution centre, and a digital lab headquarters by companies from the Americas, Europe, and Asia. InvestKL said these investments reaffirm Greater Kuala Lumpur's (Greater KL) appeal as a top investment destination despite current global challenges. 'Greater KL's appeal is bolstered by the country's ease of doing business, robust infrastructure, skilled talent pool, and vibrant ecosystem driven by collaboration and innovation,' it said in a statement today. InvestKL is the investment promotion agency for Greater KL. Chief executive officer Datuk Muhammad Azmi Zulkifli said the first -half results demonstrated InvestKL's continued impact in solidifying Greater KL's status as a top regional investment destination. 'This aligns well with our 2024 target to attract global services hubs with a focus on technology and cutting-edge activities that will spur high-skilled jobs for Malaysians. 'Through our engagements, it is evident that more eyes are now on Malaysia, and global companies are eager to capitalise on the country's strength to deepen their investments and broaden their regional presence from Greater KL,' he said. InvestKL pointed out that Malaysia recorded an impressive first quarter of 2024 (1Q 2024) investment progress of RM83.7 billion, a 13 per cent increase over the same period last year. '47 per cent or RM39.3 billion are from the services sector, marking a shift towards service-oriented investments,' it said. As of today, the investment agency has attracted over 140 global services hubs by leading companies employing more than 27,000 executives with an average monthly sal ary of RM17,000. 'With Malaysia's anticipated economic growth of four per cent to five per cent this year, driven by improved investment and external demand, InvestKL's strategic direction will focus on attracting global services from key sectors such as digital and technology, engineering, health tech, and renewable energy, while also emphasising human capital development,' it added. Source: BERNAMA News Agency