US envoy: Our firms growing in M'sia despite global economy concerns

The United States Ambassador to Malaysia has highlighted the fact that American companies in Malaysia are still expanding despite growing concerns over a possible global economic slowdown.

According to a report in the Malay Mail, Kamala Shirin Lakhdhir said some companies are continuing to grow. 

“Micron invested more last year. They are putting huge amounts into Penang with new production capacity which will have a huge impact on employment in Penang,” she said during an interview with the English daily recently.

Micron Technology Inc is an American producer of computer memory and data storage.

“Part of what’s driving the business and made it very successful last year has been the Internet of Things, cloud computing and also new technologies such as Artificial Intelligence, driverless cars and robotics,” said Lakhdhir.

She said there are other American companies planning to expand in Malaysia or establishing themselves here.

She cited the medical devices sector, which may have a growing impact as Malaysia's population ages.

“If people are getting artificial hip replacements, artificial knee replacement, or need an aorta heart valve or a pacemaker... that is part of an ageing population."

Lakhdhir also said the two countries can work together on the US’ visa waiver programme, especially with the country's new enhanced immigration programme.

She said the discussions on the US visa waiver programme for Malaysians have resumed after Home Minister Muhyiddin Yassin broached the topic during a recent meeting with acting US secretary of homeland security, Kevin McAleenan.

There was more focus on border security, information sharing, visa vetting and security issues after Donald Trump was elected as US president, she added.

Under the waiver programme, a citizen from specific countries can travel to the US for up to 90 days without having to obtain a visa.

Discussions on a visa waiver for Malaysians started back in 2013 and went on until 2016.