Penang hopes that the RM4 billion high-tech and solar energy investment by Ibiden and Robert Bosch Solar will be included in the 2011 December investment figures. So whilst the statement made by International Trade and Industry Deputy Minister Datuk Mukhriz Mahathir of a drop in investment compared to last year is correct, the final analysis can only be made when the December investment figure are tabulated.
In May 2011, the Penang State Government announced that Penang is targeting to achieve RM6.1 billion investments for 2011. Penang recorded its highest ever investment figures of RM 12.2 billion in 2010 topping the investment charts for the first time in history in Malaysia. A lower figure has been set to attract high value-added, high-tech, knowledge based companies that engender high-income, technology transfer and innovative industries.
Up to November 2011, Penang stood at RM6 billion in investments achieving the target of RM6.1 billion set. At the same time, there is a need to “digest” (consolidate) the record investments in 2010 so that the workers and skills shortage engendered does not overspill and damage the industry.
Penang hopes that the RM4 billion high-tech and solar energy investments by Ibiden and Robert Bosch Solar will be included into last year’s investment figures which will then put Penang’s investment at RM10 billion.
According to the recent report by investment and research firm Tholons on the 2012 Top 100 Outsourcing Destinations in the world, Penang has moved up 2 notches from 79 to 77 in ranking. The state government hopes to attract more of BPO and other preferred industries such medical, aerospace, LED and photovoltaic into Penang for 2012.
Lim Guan Eng
槟州首席部长林冠英于2012年1月27日在乔治市光大发表声明：
槟州希望揖斐电和博世太阳能高科技于去年高达40亿万令吉的投资额列入2011年12月的投资总额。
槟州希望揖斐电和博世太阳能高科技于去年高达40亿万令吉的投资额列入2011年12月的投资总额，国际贸易及工业部副部长拿督慕克力必须计算12月的投资数目后，才能说明其发表的相比去年同期投资额下跌的声明无误。
槟州政府于2011年5月宣布61亿令吉投资额的目标，槟州在2010年写下122亿令吉的史上最高投资额记录后，就锁定要吸引高附加价值、高科技和知识为基础的公司，以提供高收入、科技转移和创新工业。
截至2011年11月，槟城已达到60亿令吉投资目标，同时需要“消化”2010年创下的高投资记录，不让人工和技能短缺造成问题。
槟城希望，揖斐电和博世太阳能高科技的40亿令吉投资能列入去年的投资额，如此槟州2011年的总投资额将达100亿令吉。
根据投资和研究公司Tholons的最新报告，2010年世界100强外包区中，槟州从第79名上移2位至第77名，槟州政府希望今年将吸引更多的业务流程外包公司（BPO）和其他首选行业注资槟城，如医疗、航空、光二极管和太阳光电业。
林冠英