Google Invests $2 Billion in Malaysia, Joining Southeast Asia Tech Surge

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia, Tuesday, June 11, 2024 – Google announced a $2 billion investment plan on Thursday to establish its first data center and Google Cloud region in Malaysia.¹

This move signifies Google’s commitment to Southeast Asia’s burgeoning tech market and aligns with Malaysia’s ambitions to become a regional digital hub.

The investment comes amidst a surge of interest from tech giants in Southeast Asia, a region boasting a young and tech-savvy population of 670 million. Google’s data center and cloud region will be situated within the Elmina Business Park, located in central Selangor state and owned by Sime Darby Property.

The data center will support core Google services like Search, Maps, and Workspace, while the cloud region will cater to local businesses and government entities.

It is reported that the investment would add $3.2 billion to the country’s economy and create 26,500 jobs by 2030.

This investment aligns with Malaysia’s recently announced $107 billion plan to bolster its semiconductor industry, underscoring the nation’s commitment to technological advancement.

Google joins a growing roster of tech giants setting their sights on Southeast Asia.

This comes after Microsoft’s announcement that it would invest $2.2 billion in Malaysia to advance new cloud and AI infrastructure. It also announced investments in Indonesia and Thailand this year.

Tech giants like Google and Microsoft have pledged; additionally, Apple plans to open a new store in Kuala Lumpur this June, further solidifying its presence in the region. Tech giants like Amazon and Nvidia have also made significant investments in Southeast Asia.

Sources