Hiromitsu Narukama, managing director and chief executive officer of Mitsui & Co. (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd., shares his insights into the company’s commitment to Malaysia.
Bridges: How has Mitsui & Co. (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd. contributed to Malaysia’s economic growth?
Narukama: As a nation-building co-runner with a mission to “Build brighter futures, everywhere,” our contributions are based on strategic partnerships and core trading activities. Our long-standing collaborations and investments have resulted in numerous achievements, including the construction and supply of signaling and electrification components for the modernization of the Rawang-Ipoh railway project.
Other achievements include the construction of the KLIA Satellite Building at Terminal 1, palm oil trading and oleochemical products with Palm-Oleo Sdn. Bhd., and affordable vehicle production with Perodua. We have also worked on ultra-supercritical power generation coal-fired power plants that operate at higher temperatures resulting in increased efficiency, lower fuel costs and reduced emissions with Jimah East Powerplant, as well as well-being innovations with IHH Healthcare, MiCare and DaVita.
In our support for Malaysia’s transition to a low-carbon economy, we partnered with Petronas and TotalEnergies to create an integrated Asia Pacific Carbon-Capture and Storage value chain.
We are promoting the acceleration of Malaysia’s digital society through Axiata Digital Services’ artificial intelligence-driven analytics and delivering cybersecurity services through LGMS Berhad.
Our investments in the functional-food container manufacturer Lee Soon Seng Plastic Industries and the health and wellness company Eu Yan Sang also contribute to the well-being of people across Malaysia.
What role does Malaysia play in the company’s regional strategy?
As a company we focus on strategic investments and long-term environmental, social and governance value-creation. Intrinsically connected industries face a range of challenges, and we offer cross-industry solutions and sustainability initiatives to deliver solutions. Our talented team is delivering innovative solutions to Malaysia and partners across the region.
Malaysia is a key innovation hub for us and the country aligns with our desire to contribute to society. With a strategic geographical location, stable government, strong macroeconomic environment, skilled workforce and well-developed infrastructure, Malaysia is an ideal base for regional expansion.
What future opportunities and challenges do you see?
With ever-changing geopolitics and global economic shifts, opportunities and challenges are often inseparable. Malaysia and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations member countries are committed to strengthening ASEAN centrality and trade, and Malaysia’s ASEAN chairmanship 2025 theme of “Inclusivity and Sustainability” aligns with our own regional strategy.
The health care, digital economy, manufacturing, trading and green industries show great potential in Malaysia and government economic policies (digitalization, inclusivity and competitiveness) reinforce our positive view.
We intend to stay ahead of the curve and capitalize on our global network. We have every confidence in Malaysia as we continue to work with our partners to create long-term value.
