E&E INDUSTRY TO FARE BETTER THIS YEAR, SAYS MUSTAPA

PETALING JAYA (Malaysia), Aug 10 (Bernama) -- Malaysia's electrical and
electronics (E&E) industry is expected to fare better this year, International
Trade and Industry Minister Mustapa Mohamed said Tuesday.

"Overall demand this year has increased over last year.

"I have been informed that growth in the industry in terms of revenue and
employment will also increase," he told reporters after visiting Western
Digital's facility here.

The Western Digital group in Malaysia, comprising Western Digital (M)
Sdn Bhd and Western Digital Media (M) Sdn Bhd, employs a combined workforce of
24,000 people, making it the biggest employer in the local E&E sector.

It recently announcement a plan to invest US$1.2 billion over the next five
years to establish a research and development centre and a manufacturing
facility in Penang.

The new facility is expected to start production in early 2012.

Mustapa said the Western Digital group had invested about RM4.6 billion in
four locations nationwide and contributed a great deal to the local economy.

"Last year's revenue amounted to RM9.6 billion (US$3 billion) comprising
hard disk drive (HDD) and media components. And this year, the company thinks
the demand will go up," he said.

He said Western Digital, being the world's largest maker of data storage
products from the United States, had no problem sourcing talented manpower
locally to meet its state-of-the-art operations.

"The proposed expansion in Penang requires professionals and engineers
including PhD holders. They have been collaborating with public universities to
produce graduates to meet the growing requirement in Penang and here.

"I have been informed the curriculum in some universities have been
incorporated with the requirement and this will make our students more industry
ready when they leave," he said.

About 300 first degree graduates and 30 PhD and Master's degree holders are
required for Western Digital's expansion in the northern state of Penang.

Meanwhile, Western Digital (M) Managing Director G.S. Tan said the hard disk
drive (HDD) market was expected to be better in the second half of 2010 compared
with the first six months which was "a bit soft".

"It is usually better during this period because of the festive season and
the beginning of university intakes and going back to school," he said.

He was optimistic about the company's continued performance and its
contribution to the Malaysian economy.
-- BERNAMA


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