Google has announced plans to invest $2 billion in Malaysia, marking its first data center and Google Cloud hub in the Southeast Asian country. This move comes shortly after Microsoft revealed its intention to inject $2.2 billion into Malaysia's cloud and artificial intelligence infrastructure over the next four years.
The Malaysian Prime Minister has lauded Google's investment as a vote of confidence in the country's governance and economy. The investment is projected to contribute $3.2 billion to the economy and generate 26,500 jobs by 2030, according to official statements.
Google's new facilities will be situated at a business park in Selangor state, central Malaysia, to cater to the increasing demand for cloud services and to provide artificial intelligence literacy programs for Malaysian students and educators.
Malaysia will become the 12th country to host a Google data center. The Google Cloud hub in Malaysia will serve large enterprises, startups, and the public sector, joining the existing 40 regions and 121 zones worldwide.
Alphabet Inc.'s president and chief financial officer emphasized that this investment aligns with Malaysia's 'Cloud First Policy' and includes top-notch cybersecurity standards to support the country's digital transformation.
During his visit to the U.S. last year, the Malaysian Prime Minister engaged with Google executives and other business leaders to strengthen partnerships and explore opportunities for mutual growth.
