Malaysian trade minister touts 'neutrality' to grow chip industry

KUALA LUMPUR -- Malaysia's geopolitical neutrality and strategic positioning are key selling points to multinational semiconductor companies looking for investment destinations, its trade minister says. 

"We see our geopolitical neutrality as a key selling point to [multinational corporations] wishing to seek partners that belong to a country not influenced by global political agendas or alliances," Zafrul Aziz, Malaysia's investment, trade and industries minister, told Nikkei Asia in a written reply to queries on Malaysia's strategy for the semiconductor industry.