Japanese firm Ibiden to invest RM1.3bil in Penang

When the world over, the economy is softening, a Japanese manufacturer has decided to invest in a RM1.3 billion plant in Penang, opening up 1,500 job opportunities by next year.

Ibiden Electronics Malaysia has decided to expand its current facility in the country to include a second building at the Penang Science Park with an investment of RM1.3 billion for equipment alone.

Managing Office deputy operations manager Sotaro Ito said that this is the company's biggest investment (almost 50 percent) earmarked for 2014.

"With this investment, the Malaysian operation will be the biggest base in Asia," said Ito.

"Machinery will be set up and installed by early 2014 and this investment will be creating 1,500 employment opportunities by next year," he added.

On why Ibiden is investing so much when the economy outlook is softening, Ito said it was a good timing which "smart people" take on.

He added that more investments will come to Penang but the details will not be disclosed today.

However, he said that there would be 190 job opportunities for high skilled jobs for engineers, techs and supervisors in the company.

The company focuses on manufacturing high performance and advanced technology printed wiring board and FVSS for smartphones and other electronics products to meet worldwide demand by expanding 4G (LTE: Long Term Evolution) communications network.

On what Ibiden finds attractive about Penang, Ito's reply was "it is the people, the government's good support, and the food".

Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng (right) said Ibiden's move indicates the company's confidence in Penang's future.

"It is a mark of Penang's confidence in the electrical and electronic sector.

"Do grab opportunities for work at the company as the vacancies will run out soon," he said at the press conference with Ibiden.

"Yesterday, Penang airport recorded 4.4 million passengers up to October. But the airport capacity is only 5 million. When we exceed this figure, we shall ask the federal government to expand the airport again," Lim said.