Western Digital invests USD 1.2 billion in Penang
The Chief Minister of Penang, Lim Guan Eng, welcomes the announcement made by Western Digital (M) Sdn.Bhd. to invest USD 1.2 billion in Malaysia. Western Digital plans to produce hard disk drives in its newest Petaling Jaya facility costing USD 400 million and USD 800 million in Penang by 2012. Western Digital is the world’s largest maker of mobile devices, data storage products for desktop and notebook computers, home entertainment equipment and corporate networks.
The Penang state government is equally encouraged with Western Digital’s further USD 800 million investments into Penang for the
research and development centre as well as its media component production. This move will help to create more high paying jobs as
well as attract more talented workforce into Penang .With this expansion, the Penang state government also welcomes the efforts by
the Federal government to tie up local universities with Western Digital to create more students that are industry-ready.
Penang has confirmed its premier position as the Silicon Valley of the East by attracting top electrical and electronic companies due to the 7 factors:
1. Ready availability of human talent;
2. Effective and efficient supply chain management
3. Competent and reliable logistics and communications hub
4. Strong Intellectual Property protection
5. Good governance and strong leadership
6. Building creativity and innovation in science and technology, and
7. Livable city
With the recently launched Penang Science Council, the Penang state government is proactively encouraging more industry-driven initiatives that will create more interest amongst the young for the subjects of science and technology. The expansion of Western Digital into Penang will help Penang’s efforts continue to move up the value chain. This will establish the focal point of the hard drive industry in terms of high end manufacturing of hard disks as well as research and development activities in Penang. Penang hopes to be the sweatshop and smartshop of the E&E sector.
Lim Guan Eng
