Malaysia recorded 136.9 billion RM (about 45 billion USD) in approved investments in the first nine months of this year, up 26 percent over the same period last year, according to Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA).

MIDA Chief Executive Officer Noharuddin Nordin said at a media briefing in Kuala Lumpur on December 12 that the investments were for approved projects in the manufacturing, services and primary sectors.

For the first nine month period, Noharuddin said the services sector continued to take the lead with approved investments amounting to 83.4 billion RM or 60.9 percent, followed by the manufacturing sector which recorded 35.1 billion RM or 25.6 percent.

Domestic investment amounted to 94.1 billion RM, representing 68.7 percent of the total approved investments while foreign investments totalled 42.8 billion RM.

The US took the lead among foreign investors in the January-September period with 5.7 billion RM while Singapore remained Malaysia's second biggest foreign direct investment contributor at 3.7 billion RM.

Noharuddin said, 3,908 projects approved during the nine months will generate 126,912 jobs opportunities.

According to him, outlook for investment flows into Malaysia remains strong and can surpass last year's total investments of 167.8 billion RM, based on the economic recovery of Malaysia's main investor country, which is the US.

He said, Malaysia would be able to sustain the 26 percent growth for the year. Although already at the end of the year, the country still have more in the pipeline as there are companies, which had submitted paperwork for investments earlier, which have yet to be approved, he added.-VNA