26th
November
2007
The recent ststistics have indicated that Malaysia ranked No. 14th as most attractive countries for foreign direct investment (FDI), according to the World Investment Prospects Survey 2007-2009 FDI by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD).
The two largest Asian economies- China and India emerged in the top two positions, followed by the US, Russia, Brazil, among the top five destinations.
Among the Southeast Asian countries, Malaysia was the third favourite FDI location, after Vietnam and Thailand, which was placed 6th and 12th in the overall ranking.
The Southeast Asian region remained a preferred destination for FDI, with five out of 20 countries among the top 20 selected countries, including Indonesia in 15th position and Singapore in 16th spot.
Others in the top 20 are Britain (7th), Australia (8th), Mexico (9th), Poland (10th), Germany (11th), France (13th), Italy (17th), Ukraine (18th), Japan (19th) and Canada (20th).
The survey, which was based on192 respondents among the largest transnational corporations (TNCs), covered factors deemed important considerations for FDI. Of which, access to large and growing markets emerged to be a key determinant of FDI growth, being cited by more than half of TNC respondents. Access to resources, in particular skilled workforce was the next major consideration, being mentioned by 17% of the respondents, followed by access to low-cost labour based on feedback by 9% of the respondents.
Read the rest of this entry »
posted by Christopher in Malaysia |
8th
October
2007
Selamat Datang Ke Malaysia
recepción a Malasia
Welcome to Malaysia
Spain to open first regional business hub in Malaysia
Come October 24, the Government of Spain is set to open its first regional business centre in Kuala Lumpur, aimed at assisting Spanish companies expand into the Asean (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) Region. Spanish Secretary of State for Tourism and Trade, Pedro Mejia said the centre would enable Spanish companies to have “a real perspective and knowledge of what Malaysia can offer so as to continue setting up businesses here.”
The centre, to be located in Menara Boustead Kuala Lumpur, will offer office space, secretarial services and other functions at minimal rates to the Spanish companies. These companies would also have access to the information; research; telemarketing and market as well as legal advice and support from the Economic and Commercial Office of the Spanish Embassy.
Currently, there are 25 Spanish companies that have a presence in Malaysia and these companies are involved in various businesses such as automotive engineering, medical equipment and fashion boutiques.
posted by Glen Stidolph in Malaysia |
20th
September
2007
Intel Malaysia, one of eight pioneer multinational companies to invest in Penang 35 years ago, has reaffirmed the company’s commitment to continue investing in the country.
Intel Malaysia’s newly-appointed Managing Director (Assembly and Test), Atul Bhargava, said Intel would continue to grow with Malaysia, as the company brings in more value added processes involving design and development, to enhance Intel’s competitiveness.
Bhargava was speaking at the company’s 35th anniversary celebrations at its locality in Bayan Lepas. Penang Chief Minister Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon, who was present, gave away a token of appreciation to Intel Malaysia’s long-serving employees including some employees who stayed with the company from 1972.
With an initial workforce of 100, Intel Malaysia has grown over the years and today employs some 10,000 people.
The company’s continued expansions in the country, has also translated to a high capital investments today of over US$3 billion (RM10.44 billion) in the country.
Intel Malaysia’s commitment to continue investing in Malaysia was a strong indication of the company’s confidence in the country’s business environment, the Chief Minister said.
posted by Glen Stidolph in Malaysia |
4th
September
2007
Both foreign and local investors continued to show interest to invest in Malaysia’s manufacturing sector with a record RM28.8 billion (US$8.23 billion) approved for the first six months of the year, surpassing the annual target of RM27.5 billion (US$7.86 billion) under the Third Industrial Master Plan (IMP3). Last year the country recorded RM46 billion (US$12.53 billion) approved investments in the manufacturing sector.
The continued interest reflects Malaysia’s cost-competitive environment for export-oriented manufacturing companies. The country’s political stability; open economy with a sound financial system; educated and skilled workforce generally conversant in English; excellent infrastructure continued to be valued by foreign investors.
The latest statistics released by the Malaysian Industrial Development Authority (MIDA) shows strong interests from foreign investors with a six month cumulative approvals of RM14.47 billion (US$4.13 billion). In 2006, foreign direct investments (FDIs) totaled RM20.23 billion (US$5.51 billion). Read the rest of this entry »
posted by Glen Stidolph in Malaysia |
24th
August
2007
Malaysia’s corporate governance has shown great improvement and now complies with more than three-quarters of the IIF’s corporate governance guidelines, based on the latest Institute of International Finance (IIF) news report last week.
With the findings, Malaysia is now rated to be in the top quartile of emerging economies surveyed by the IIF in terms of corporate governance.
The IIF is the global association of financial services institutes with more than 360 members worldwide.
Maybank President and Chief Executive Officer, Datuk Amirsham A. Aziz, a member of the IIIF Board of Directors said in a statement that the report recognized Malaysia’s progress and positive actions that have been implemented in recent years, and also singled out the scope of efforts required to further improve the best practices particularly in the capital market regulatory framework. Read the rest of this entry »
posted by Glen Stidolph in Malaysia, Economic |
15th
August
2007
Malaysia continues to draw substantial investments into the electrical and electronics sector, approving some RM16.6 billion (USD$4.88 Billion) in the last 12 months with foreign direct investments (FDI) contributing 91.6 % of the total, the Malaysia Minister of International Trade and Industry, Datuk Seri Rafidah Aziz said, at the opening of the KL International AV Sho qw 2007 in Kuala Lumpur.
Some 41,023 employment opportunities were also created through these investments.
Approval statistics for the period June 2006 to June 2007 in the consumer electronics sub sector, show a marked trend for companies in this sector to move into higher value-added products such as digital audio video equipment, multimedia speakers, set top boxes and Thin Film Transistor/Plasma TV sets, and home theater systems instead of products like video cassette recorders, television and speaker boxes. Read the rest of this entry »
posted by Glen Stidolph in Malaysia |
30th
July
2007
Malaysia has been ranked as the fifth most preferred locations in the world for shared services and outsourcing (SSO), an improvement from its sixth placing last year, according to a study conducted by global consulting company Frost & Sullivan.
“Over here, we see concerted efforts by the Government to attract the attention of global Fortune 500 companies,” said Frost & Sullivan’s vice-president, information and communications technology practice, Nitin Bhat.
“While the Government may make certain efforts, it ultimately (depends on) the service providers, whether they are local or multinational,” he said when commenting on Malaysia’s prospects of climbing up the rankings at a presentation in Kuala Lumpur yesterday.
In the study, India maintained its top ranking, followed by China, Ireland and Singapore which also retained their second, third and fourth positions respectively. Read the rest of this entry »
posted by Glen Stidolph in Outsourcing, Malaysia |
13th
July
2007
Business opportunities in Malaysia!
Australia was Malaysia’s 3rd biggest foreign investor in 2006 and in an effort to capitalize on this success and bring it to the attention of the Australian commercial sector, The Hon Rafidah Aziz, Malaysian Minister for International Trade and Industry will be in Australia chairing 3 Business Opportunities in Malaysia seminars to be held in July. Read the rest of this entry »
posted by Glen Stidolph in Outsourcing, Malaysia, Event |
9th
July
2007
The 17th World Economic Forum on East Asia which brings together business, political and government leaders, will be hosted by Kuala Lumpur in June next year.
In his closing remarks at the 16th World Economic Forum on East Asia, held in Singapore, Malaysian Second Finance Minister Tan Sri Nor Mohamed Yakcop said that the forum in the Malaysian capital will take place on June 15 and 16.
“On behalf of the Prime Minister (Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi) and the government of Malaysia, let me be the first to invite you to join us to continue with this important dialogue,” he said as he extended the “Selamat Datang” or welcome greetings to participants at this year’s forum. Read the rest of this entry »
posted by Glen Stidolph in Malaysia, Economic |
3rd
July
2007
A new entrant into the corporate magazine sector has just been launched in Malaysia.
The Outsourcing Magazine, will be a bi-monthly publication for the niche needs of decision makers in the outsourcing industry. The Outsourcing Magazine will focus on bringing quality content to its audience through a network of highly experienced writers and industry leaders locally and globally.
Content is mainly regarding BPO and SSO services, however regular contributors from all other aspects of outsourcing will give the magazine a solid content base capable of providing an excellent platform to reach out to the seekers and providers of outsource services..
The first issue was released this month, and available via various distribution channels in S E Asia, with wider international coverage and website soon to be added.
Should you wish to receive a copy of this new outsourcing magazine, please add a comment with your details and we will gladly mail you a copy FOC.
posted by Glen Stidolph in Outsourcing, Best Practices, Malaysia |
