United States: Google has announced that it will invest $2 billion in the Southeast Asian nation to construct its first data centre and “cloud region” in Malaysia.
According to Farhan S. Qureshi, country director of Google Malaysia, “this investment is not just about infrastructure; it’s about unlocking new possibilities for businesses, educators, and every Malaysian.”
Qureshi stated that the Google data centre would “pave the way for delivering the transformative power of AI to users and customers across the country” and power products like Google Maps and Search.
According to Qureshi, the Google Cloud region would provide businesses, startups, and public sector organizations with “high-performance, low-latency cloud services” in addition to “key controls that allow them to maintain the highest security and compliance standards.”
By 2030, the investment, according to Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, would boost the nation’s GDP by $3.2 billion and provide 26,500 new employment.
“The investment related to Google’s first data centre in Malaysia and the development of the Google Cloud region is proof that the Government’s clear planning in addition to the country’s economic strength and resources are attractive to existing and new investors,” Anwar said in a post on X.
“Undoubtedly, this places Malaysia as one of the leading countries in the use and support services of digital technology-based services,” he added.
Southeast Asia, which has one of the fastest-growing regional economies and a youthful, computer-literate population of 670 million, has seen an increase in investment from US tech firms.
According to estimates by international consulting firm Kearney, artificial intelligence might boost Southeast Asia’s GDP by around $1 trillion by 2030.
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