Google pledges $2.7 billion investment in Malaysia
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Google;s investments in Malaysia will include its first data centre there and Google Cloud effort in the region.
PHOTO: REUTERS
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KUALA LUMPUR - Google has committed to making US$2 billion (S$2.7 billion) in investments in Malaysia, including its first data centre there and Google Cloud effort in the region.
The pledge marks Google’s largest planned investment in the country, Ms Ruth Porat, chief financial officer of Google parent Alphabet, said in a statement.
According to Malaysia’s Trade Ministry, the data centre and Google Cloud region facility will support 26,500 jobs across various sectors in the country, with the total economic impact valued at US$3.2 billion.
The site of the investments will be in Sime Darby Property’s Elmina Business Park in Selangor state, it added.
US tech giants have stepped up their investments in South-east Asia in recent months, committing billions of dollars as they seek new growth opportunities.
The chief executives of Microsoft, Apple and Nvidia have all travelled through the region to sketch out strategic plans and meet heads of state.
Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella said in May that the company would invest US$2.2 billion in Malaysia, in addition to similar pledges for Indonesia and Thailand.
Microsoft and Google are competing fiercely for leadership in artificial intelligence services, seeking customers to adopt their offerings in the burgeoning field.
Google said that, in addition to the development of cloud computing services, it would support AI literacy programmes for students and educators. BLOOMBERG
