Intel to invest $40m in Malaysia: Barrett

Intel to invest $40m in Malaysia: Barrett

Agence France-Presse, Penang, Malaysia

U.S. computer chip giant Intel on Tuesday announced it will invest 152 million ringgit (US$40 million) to boost its manufacturing capacity in Malaysia.

It would be used to expand its facilities, including to open a new technology design and development center in northern Penang state, Intel Corp. chief executive officer Craig Barrett said.

Barrett said Intel would continue to support Malaysia's growth and technology development but did not specify how many years the new investment would be spread over.

Penang is regarded as Southeast Asia's Silicon Valley and houses hundreds of international manufacturing companies such as Motorola, Jabil Circuits, Hitachi and FairChild.

Intel has two plants in Malaysia -- one in Penang and another in neighboring Kedah state with about 8,000 employees.

"Today, we celebrate and build on Intel's 31-year history of technology manufacturing in Malaysia," Barrett was quoted as saying by Bernama news agency.

The company chief was in Penang to launch Intel's PG12 facility, which will develop, assemble and test chipsets for Intel's manufacturing sites worldwide.

The new center will also house several design and development facilities including Intel Malaysia's assembly technology development and testing technology development labs that focus on manufacturing process and packaging technology, he said.

Barrett said Intel would use its strong manufacturing base in the country as a springboard to design and develop future made-in-Malaysia technologies.