IMIDA said Senior Minister and Minister of International Trade and Industry Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali had presented at the Cabinet on Wednesday the impressive investment approvals for 1Q despite the unprecedented economic challenges caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia recorded investment approvals of RM80.60bil in the first quarter ended March 31, 2021, which was a surge of 95.6% from the RM41.20bil a year ago. The investments were for the manufacturing, services and primary sectors and involved 993 projects and they were expected to generate 32, 557 job opportunities, the Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA) said on Wednesday. “Total approved foreign direct investments (FDI) in the manufacturing, services and primary sectors increased by 383.4% to RM54.90bil in January to March 2021 from RM11.4bil in the same quarter last year, ” the statement added.