By Sharon Hu, 21st Century Business Herald, SFC

“ASEAN and China have forged extensive cooperation, which bears witness to the steady deepening of their collaborative ties and the growing integration between the two sides.” Herni, Assistant Director of the Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA), told 21st Century Business Herald reporters during the Investment Group Seminar at the 2026 APEC Senior Officials' Meeting.

Herni told the SFC that APEC members shared their respective best investment practices at the seminar, and investment cooperation at present is showing a positive momentum.

"As Malaysia's national investment promotion agency, MIDA will also share its investment framework to attract more potential investments," she said. She expressed her expectation to listen to more insights on investment during the seminar.

As of 2025, China has remained Malaysia's largest trading partner for 16 consecutive years and has been a major source of investment in Malaysia for years.

Touching on the vision of attracting investment from countries including China, Herni noted that Malaysia has launched the New Industrial Masterplan 2030 (NIMP 2030), which outlines five key priority areas, including advanced technology sectors such as semiconductors and aerospace. “Meanwhile, the green economy is a focal area Malaysia has also established a Green Investment Strategy to focus on attracting and promoting green investment.”