Google has revealed plans to invest $2 billion in Malaysia for the development of its inaugural data center and Google Cloud region within the country. This move represents the latest expansion initiative by global tech firms into Southeast Asia.
The government said the investment would advance Malaysia’s digital ambitions, and the artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities and other advanced technologies would help local industry move up the global value chain. With a young tech-savvy population of 670 million, Southeast Asia has been attracting plenty of interest and investment recently from technology giants including Microsoft Amazon Nvidia and Apple.
Google said in a statement the data center and cloud region will be located in Sime Darby Property’s Elmina Business Park in central Selangor state.
The data center will power services including Search, Maps and Workspace, and will help deliver AI services, while the cloud center will offer services to local firms and public sector organizations, it said.
“Malaysia and Google are partnering to advance our shared work to create a supportive ecosystem for innovation and unlock the potential of digital transformation,” Google’s Chief Financial Officer Ruth Porat said in the statement.
Last November, the government and Google announced a collaboration aimed at accelerating innovation domestically.
