Australian organisations have forged new partnerships in Malaysia to drive economic growth in the country and across Southeast Asia.
A recent business mission to Malaysia organised by Austrade’s Investment Deals Team brought a high-profile delegation of Australian businesses and investors to Kuala Lumpur to attend the ASEAN Business and Investment Summit and the ASEAN Indo-Pacific Forum 2025.
The Australia at ASEAN business mission was led by Tony Lombardo, CEO of Lendlease and Australia’s Business Champion for Malaysia. He was joined by Catherine Gallagher, Austrade’s General Manager, Southeast Asia.
Australia’s Special Envoy to Southeast Asia Nicholas Moore was also present, championing Invested: Australia’s Southeast Asia Economic Strategy to 2040. The strategy’s implementation over the past 2 years has included 21 business and investment delegations with over 500 participants to 10 Southeast Asian countries.
Australia’s commitment to Southeast Asia’s growth
The Australia at ASEAN mission coincided with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s attendance at the ASEAN-Australia Summit in Malaysia. During his visit, the Prime Minister announced 2 milestone investments to support new opportunities for Australian investors and businesses.
The Australian Government will invest A$175 million in IFM Investors’ Asia-Pacific Debt Fund to support IFM’s expansion into Southeast Asia. The investments will target sectors such as renewable energy, telecommunications and logistics.
The Australian Government will also invest US$50 million in a new Southeast Asia Public-Private Partnership (PPP) investment fund established by Australian infrastructure specialist Plenary. The investment will enable Plenary to finance essential public infrastructure projects across Southeast Asia, including healthcare, education and transport.
Both investments will help expand the presence of Australian investors and businesses in Southeast Asia. They are being delivered through the Australian Government’s A$2 billion Southeast Asia Investment Financing Facility (SEAIFF).
Delegates on the Australia at ASEAN business mission explored business and investment opportunities in Malaysia.
Australia–Malaysia partnerships continue to grow
During the mission, Mr Nicholas Moore reflected on key achievements in the 2 years since the launch of Invested: Australia’s Southeast Asia Economic Strategy to 2040. He noted Australia’s efforts to build stronger economic ties with Southeast Asia have driven nearly A$1 billion in new Australian investment under the strategy.
The numerous partnerships announced by Australia and Malaysia testified to the growing bond between the 2 nations.
At Kuala Lumpur’s Tun Razak Exchange (TRX), Malaysia’s financial district, Australia’s presence is growing through major investments in property and education.
Lendlease CEO Tony Lombardo launched the Invested in Malaysia to 2040 prospectus, outlining opportunities for Australian investment. Lendlease designed and developed The Exchange TRX, the district’s flagship project and its largest in Asia, supporting Malaysia’s ambition to create a world-class financial and business hub.
Monash University will also open an expanded campus in the TRX precinct in 2032. The campus will accommodate 22,500 students and 1,700 staff, positioning Malaysia as a regional education hub and deepening Australia–Malaysia collaboration in research and skills development.
Beyond this, bilateral cooperation continues to expand. Export Finance Australia and Malaysia’s EXIM Bank signed an MOU to boost regional investment in sectors including energy transition, infrastructure, digital economy and healthcare. The partnership will provide co-financing and risk-sharing to help Australian businesses expand across Southeast Asia.
Port of Melbourne and Malaysia’s largest container terminal Port of Tanjung Pelepas also signed a partnership to advance sustainable practices and promote maritime decarbonisation. The Port of Melbourne first connected with the Port of Tanjung Pelepas during a Southeast Asia Business Exchange trade mission to Malaysia in April 2024.
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