It was a momentous occasion for HSBC as we commemorated our 140-year anniversary in Malaysia with distinguished guests, including YAB Dato' Seri Anwar bin Ibrahim, the Prime Minister of Malaysia. The celebration in Kuala Lumpur, which brought together key stakeholders and longstanding customers, reinforced the country's significance in our ASEAN expansion strategy.
In addition to the celebrations in Kuala Lumpur, HSBC had the honour of hosting esteemed state officials and key clients at our anniversary events in Penang, Johor, and Sarawak.
HSBC has had a longstanding presence since establishing our first office in the country in Penang in 1884. Over the years, the bank has deepened its commitment here, supporting trade, investment, wealth management, and financial services. Today, HSBC has approximately 6,000 employees in Malaysia, inclusive of employees in the bank and a network of 54 branches nationwide, along with our global shared service centre.
Recently, as a demonstration of our commitment to the country, HSBC invested USD250 million in our head office, Menara IQ at Tun Razak Exchange (TRX). To mark the 140-year milestone, we kicked off the celebrations by announcing the relocation of one of our iconic lions, Stitt, to his new home at TRX. The HSBC lions, symbolising growth and prosperity, were first installed at the Shanghai branch in 1923. The lions proved so popular that they now guard many HSBC offices around the world, including in Malaysia.
To HSBC, Malaysia's pivotal role as a top 40 economy in terms of GDP and a top 25 trading nation emphasises its significance in the global market. The country's stable business environment, skilled workforce, and robust logistics infrastructure position it well to leverage its central location in trade routes. Combined with progressive government policy as well as the open engagement of stakeholders, including investors and businesses, the country has tremendous potential and is poised to take advantage of the reshaping of global supply chains and the advancements in technology.
The MADANI Economy framework has been instrumental in fostering balanced development and boosting investor confidence. The various policy initiatives arising from this framework, including fiscal reform, the New Industrial Masterplan 2030, and the National Energy Transition Roadmap, have resulted in a material improvement in investor optimism about the country and its growth prospects. As Malaysia prepares to chair ASEAN in 2025, the country's central role in regional progress is further reinforced.
HSBC's 140-year legacy here reflects our dedication to partnering with the government and supporting clients in this dynamic market. YAB Dato' Seri Anwar bin Ibrahim emphasised this during the bank's anniversary event in Kuala Lumpur and highlighted the valuable insights that can be derived from HSBC's experience, "It is still clear in my memory when I first became Finance Minister in the 1990s how HSBC was amongst those who facilitated the government's travel abroad to attract investors to the country. We can learn a lot from HSBC's experience, given their longstanding presence in the country for more than a century, about business independence, relationship building, and policies to strengthen the Malaysian economy."
Looking ahead, HSBC remains committed to fuelling Malaysia's growth and harnessing opportunities for the country in international trade and wealth management for years to come.