Azmin Ali visited Microsoft to discuss Malaysia’s ESG agenda

Malaysia – Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali, Minister of International Trade and Industry, revealed today that he met with Microsoft today to address the environmental, social, and governance (ESG) agenda.

Azmin expressed his enthusiasm for a fruitful relationship between Putrajaya and Microsoft in forwarding the agenda on his Facebook page.

“With our 29-year relationship with Microsoft and its future goals, I am sure that Malaysia will realize its goal of being a regional leader in digital economy anchored by ESG agenda by 2030,” he added.

Azmin’s visit with Microsoft is part of a 10-day US Trade & Investment Mission (TIM) that started on May 8 and included discussions with a number of high-tech firms, including Texas Instruments Inc.

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Last year, the Malaysian government announced a cooperation with Microsoft under the Bersama Malaysia program, in which the hyperscaler would spend US$1 billion (RM4.4 billion) in the country’s first data center area.

Azmin today emphasized the initiative’s $1 billion investment in the country’s first Microsoft datacenter area.

He said the decision demonstrates the government’s resolve to upskill one million Malaysians by 2023 in order to “help generate economic possibilities for individuals and enterprises in the digital age.”

Due to a primary ESG goal and supply chain resilience, the TIM aspires to boost Malaysia’s prospects as an attractive investment location and trade partner.

The minister also said that the mission is projected to bring in RM14.62 billion in investments from the United States, with the mission focusing on new business possibilities and high-paying employment for Malaysians.

ESG investing is becoming more popular among socially aware investors, and it demands prospective investments to meet certain criteria in terms of environmental stewardship, social impact, and effective governance.

“Malaysian public-listed firms are faring well in ESG factors among their Asean counterparts based on leading ESG indicators including transparency and adherence to sustainable practices,” according to a study issued earlier this year by PriceWaterhouseCoopers (PwC) Malaysia.