Google invests 2.9 billion yen to build first data center in Malaysia, economic impact to be 4.6 billion yen by 2030

Following a multi-year partnership with Malaysian IT company Dagang NeXchange Berhad, Google will build a data center in Malaysia to meet the demand for cloud and AI services. Google's investment is expected to be $2 billion, creating 26,500 jobs and generating $3.2 billion in economic benefits by 2030.

Blog Rasmi Google Malaysia: Google Breaks Ground on US$2 Billion Malaysia Data Center and Cloud Region, Announces Support for New Sustainability and Skilling Initiatives

Google Breaks Ground on US$2 Billion Malaysia Data Center and Cloud Region, Announces Support for New Sustainability and Skilling Initiatives:

https://t.co/ekAEDpYX6O pic.twitter.com/RVDxOhgYzy

— Google Malaysia (@GoogleMsia) October 1, 2024

SPEECH TEXT BY YAP PRIME MINISTER: GOOGLE'S MANTAP MALAYSIA BERSAMA AI
https://www.pmo.gov.my/2024/10/speech-text-by-yap-prime-minister-googles-mantap-malaysia-bersama-ai/

Malaysia plans national cloud policy, AI regulations | Reuters
https://www.reuters.com/technology/google-says-its-investments-will-add-3-bln-malaysias-gdp-by-2030-create-26500-2024-10-01/

At the Mantap Malaysia Bersama AI event held on October 1, 2024 local time, Google announced the start of construction of its first data center and cloud region in Malaysia. The data center will be built at a cost of $2 billion in Elmina Business Park in Selangor, adjacent to the capital Kuala Lumpur.

Regarding the development of the data center, Google said, 'As demand for Google Cloud's AI innovation and digital products continues to grow, this new infrastructure will not only meet the needs, but also unlock immense potential for local businesses and the community. The data center is expected to create 26,500 jobs in the local area and generate more than $3.2 billion in economic impact by 2030.

Ruth Porat, president and chief investment officer, Alphabet and Google, said: 'Together with the Malaysian government, we are committed to helping Malaysian individuals and businesses innovate, grow and fully harness the potential of the digital age. In doing so, Google will continue to be responsible stewards of our natural resources by improving the health and ecosystems of Malaysian communities' water sources and promoting the local adoption of renewable energy sources.'

As Porat noted, in tandem with the data center plans, Google also announced a revitalization project for Taman Aman Lake in Selangor. The revitalization plan focuses on improving water quality and biodiversity, and Google will work with the local community to promote sustainable waste management to enhance the park's environmental and recreational values.

In addition, Google has also been working on education programs for more than 355,000 Malaysians over the past five years to help them benefit from technology, which is estimated to have an economic impact of $19 billion (about $2.74 trillion) in 2030.

Going forward, Google will implement a program to equip 260 teachers with the digital skills they need to teach up to 61,000 students in Selangor, cultivating an AI-enabled workforce and helping to create an inclusive digital economy in Malaysia.