Malaysia Welcomes ARM Holdings Investment, Agreement Set for Next Week

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim announced that ARM Holdings Plc is set to establish a base in Malaysia next week, following discussions with ARM’s CEO and SoftBank’s Masayoshi Son. Anwar highlighted the importance of political stability in securing such investments while stressing the need for a skilled workforce to meet future demands.

On February 28, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim officially announced that ARM Holdings Plc, a prominent UK-based semiconductor firm, is poised to finalize an agreement to establish a presence in Malaysia next week. This announcement came after an online discussion involving Anwar and ARM’s CEO, with the participation of Masayoshi Son, CEO of SoftBank Group Corp.

During a ceremony at the Putrajaya Nasi Kandar Restaurant, Prime Minister Anwar expressed optimism about the upcoming signing, stating, “Insya-Allah, we will finalise the agreement next week, and it will be signed.” He emphasized ARM’s reputation in semiconductor design and manufacturing, affirming Malaysia’s successful attraction of this esteemed global player.

Anwar acknowledged the significance of political stability and well-defined policies as foundational elements that made such investments feasible. He also highlighted an impending challenge for the nation: ensuring an ample supply of skilled, young professionals to meet the demands of incoming investments. He remarked, “This is a major test — can we provide tens of thousands of young professionals?”

ARM Holdings, headquartered in Cambridge, England, specializes in semiconductor and software design, chiefly focusing on creating CPU architectures implementing the ARM instruction set. Its decision to establish itself in Malaysia marks a significant achievement for the country.

In summary, the confirmation of ARM Holdings’ future presence in Malaysia signifies a notable step forward for the nation’s semiconductor sector. Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim stressed the importance of political stability in attracting such high-profile investments. However, ensuring a qualified workforce remains a key challenge to maximize the benefits of this strategic partnership.

Original Source: www.malaymail.com