KUALA LUMPUR: Google's US$2 billion investment in its new data centre and cloud region in Malaysia is projected to generate US$3.2 billion in gross domestic product (GDP) growth and create 26,000 high-skilled jobs over the next five years, said Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz said Malaysia.
Tengku Zafrul said this represents real opportunities for Malaysians to participate in and benefit from the digitaleconomy.
"Google's data centre is clearly in alignment with Malaysia's New Industrial Master Plan 2030 (NIMP 2030). "Under NIMP 2030, we aim to create 3,000 smart factoriesby 2030, driven by advanced technologies such as AI, bigdata, and machine learning," he said at 'Mantap Malaysia Bersama AI', a Google for Malaysia event here, today.
Google today held a groundbreaking ceremony for its first US$2 billion data centre and cloud infrastructure in Elmina Business Park, Selangor.
With construction underway, the data centre and cloud infrastructure will help meet growing demand for Google Cloud capabilities and Al innovations, and other digital products and services that people and organizations in Malaysia use every day.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim was the guest of honor at Google for Malaysia, where he was hosted by Alphabet and Google president and chief investment officer Ruth Porat.
She said Google reaffirms its support for advancing Malaysia's digital future with the groundbreaking of its data center and cloud region in Selangor.
Porat said Google's investments in infrastructure, digital skilling, and sustainability represent progress on its joint efforts with the government of Malaysia to create high-value jobs and bring the benefits of Al to local communities and companies.
"Together, we will empower individuals and businesses in Malaysia to innovate, grow, and fully harness the potential of the digital age. "As we do this, Google will continue its responsible stewardship of natural resources by improving community watershed health and ecosystems in Malaysia and helping to drive local adoption of renewable energy sources," she said.
Google also announced a series of local digital skilling and sustainability partnerships that build on the strategic collaboration it established with the government at the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Leaders' Meeting in November 2023.