InvestKL CEO delivers insightful talk at UTAR

UTAR staff and students with InvestKL representatives

On 10 July 2024, the UTAR CEO Talk Series, organised by the Centre for Corporate and Community Development in collaboration with the Faculty of Accountancy and Management (FAM) and InvestKL, featured Datuk Muhammad Azmi Zulkifli, the Chief Executive Officer of InvestKL. The event, held at UTAR Sungai Long Campus, attracted students eager to gain insights into the economic landscape of Malaysia and its implications for graduate employment.

FAM academic Dr Choo Siew Ming delivering the opening remarks

Datuk Azmi, a prominent figure in the investment sector, shared his extensive knowledge on the roles and objectives of InvestKL. He explained that InvestKL, the investment promotion agency (IPA) of Malaysia, is dedicated to positioning Greater Kuala Lumpur as the national gateway for high-value, high-tech, and high-impact sustainable investments. Emphasising the strategic importance of Greater Kuala Lumpur, he described it as the heart of a regional hub that attracts top-tier global services activities.

Datuk Azmi sharing his insights

During his talk, Datuk Azmi highlighted the achievements of InvestKL from 2011 to 2023. The agency has successfully committed investments amounting to RM29.79 billion, created 27,455 executive jobs, and implemented the InvestKL Talent Programme, Bitara MADANI, benefiting 1,930 individuals. Additionally, InvestKL has partnered with 139 leading global companies and launched nine GKL Live Lab projects, cementing Greater Kuala Lumpur’s reputation as a prime location for multinational corporations (MNCs).

Datuk Azmi elaborated on the types of global services structures thriving in Greater Kuala Lumpur, including Regional Headquarters (RHQ), Centres of Excellence (CoE), Global Business Services (GBS), and Research and Development (R&D) centres. He mentioned notable multinational corporations such as FedEx, HONOR, Oppo, Toshiba, AstraZeneca, and Zurich, which have established significant operations in the region.

The focus of the talk shifted to the evolving service sector, with Datuk Azmi discussing the shift from traditional services to modern services. He highlighted the emerging trend of “insourcing” models, regionalisation and localisation strategies, and the penetration of generative AI (Gen AI) in the investment and business landscape. This shift signifies Malaysia’s adaptation to new business paradigms and its commitment to staying at the forefront of global service trends.

One of the key takeaways from Datuk Azmi’s talk was the emphasis on Malaysia’s competitive talent landscape. He noted that the country’s attractive mix of demographics, strong economic growth, cultural diversity, and regional experience make it an ideal hub for multinational companies. The multilingual talent pool in Malaysia is particularly well-suited to serve the Asia-Pacific region, providing a significant advantage for businesses operating in this area.

Addressing the future workforce, Datuk Azmi outlined an action plan for job seekers in 2024. He stressed the importance of self-assessment, skill enhancement, networking, tailored applications, and interview preparation. He also advised students to embrace flexibility and prioritise their mental and emotional well-being. Datuk Azmi identified the ten most important soft skills for new recruits, which include communication, problem-solving, time management, critical thinking, self-motivation, attention to detail, flexibility, growth mindset, adaptability, creativity, and leadership.

Datuk Azmi’s talk was both enlightening and inspiring, providing students with valuable insights and practical advice for their future careers. His expertise and leadership in the investment sector were evident, leaving a lasting impression on the audience. The event concluded with a Q&A session, where students had the opportunity to engage directly with Datuk Azmi, followed by a photo session to capture the memorable occasion.