US electric vehicle maker Tesla is expected to open its headquarters in Malaysia sometime in 2023, the Southeast Asian country’s prime minister said Friday after a meeting with CEO Elon Musk.
Anwar Ibrahim, who is also finance minister, said Tesla will open a headquarters, service center and showroom in the central state of Selangor this year.
Last March, Malaysia approved Tesla’s application to import battery electric vehicles into the country.
“I welcome the company’s interest and investment decisions in Malaysia, as well as Elon Musk’s willingness to come to Malaysia,” Anwar Ibrahim said in a statement after a 20-minute video conference call with Elon Musk.
Malaysia will continue to step up its commitment to net zero carbon emissions by 2050, the prime minister said.
He also said he has sought help from SpaceX, Elon Musk’s space company, to provide low-cost internet services in Malaysia, particularly in rural areas, via its Starlink satellites.
“This initiative will increase people’s skills and well-being, especially in terms of education, agricultural technology potential and income generation,” argued Mr. Anwar.