KUALA LUMPUR (Dec 10): China-based telecoms equipment giant ZTE Corporation is set to invest RM200 million in Malaysia to establish two innovation centres and introduce the latest 5G technology through collaborations with local operators. 

ZTE will also position Malaysia as a digital hub, while building a regional centre of excellence for its global operations, according to Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz’s post on X (formerly Twitter).

“ZTE Corp is a major player in China’s 5G market, commanding approximately 35% of the market share. Notably, 95% of ZTE’s 5G equipment relies on chips sourced from Malaysia, underscoring the country’s importance to ZTE’s global operations,” said Tengku Zafrul.

He added that the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry (Miti) remains committed to supporting investments in high-tech sectors, in line with the objectives of the New Industrial Master Plan (NIMP). 

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim posted on his X account that he received a courtesy visit from the ZTE Global delegation, led by its chief executive officer Xu Ziyang.  

The discussions during the meeting focused on the critical role of 5G in driving economic growth, and positioning Malaysia as a hub for innovation, smart cities, and next-generation technologies. 

Anwar noted that ZTE has expressed its commitment to transform Malaysia’s digital landscape by enhancing rural connectivity infrastructure and bridging the urban-rural digital divide, supporting inclusive network development.  

ZTE’s technological prowess was demonstrated through a world-record 5G speed test, achieving an impressive 28Gbps (gigabits per second), Anwar noted. This milestone reflects the synergy between ZTE’s advanced network infrastructure capabilities and local expertise in digital technology, he added. 

ZTE, having operated in over 160 countries, has been present in Malaysia since 2004, driving 5G innovation with artifical intelligence (AI)-enabled solutions to enhance connectivity and economic development in the country, Anwar noted.