He said the investments between 2009 and 2015 involved 143 projects.

“China’s investments here are expected to create 24,786 jobs with a large portion of the proposed projects still ongoing,” he told Abdul Khalid Samad (Amanah-Shah Alam).

He said the largest investment was in the base metal manufacturing sector amounting to (8 billion ringgit), followed by electrical and electronics (3.5 billion ringgit), non-metal ore (738 million ringgit), textile and textile products (556 million ringgit) and forged metal (157 million ringgit).

On direct investment, Ahmad said 191 projects with investments of 6 billion ringgit are now operational, creating 20,587 jobs.

“China’s efforts to increase its investments in Malaysia showed its confidence in the country’s economy.

“This has been very encouraging as investments in 2009 were worth 162 million ringgit and had increased to 4.75 billion ringgit in 2014.

“Despite the effects of the US dollar in the economy and a drop in commodities and oil prices that affected the global economy, China invested a total of 1.87 billion ringgit here last year,” he said.

Ahmad also confirmed China’s investment in 1Malaysia Development Bhd’s power generation and property development projects.

He said China General Nuclear Group announced that it will set up its headquarters here by investing over 8 billion ringgit.

On Malaysia’s investment in China, Ahmad said that 10 local companies had invested 24.36 billion ringgit there so far.

US$1 = 3.88 ringgit