MALAYSIA STANDING IN THE EYES OF THE WORLD : COMPETITIVE ENOUGH IN DOING BUSINESS?

Malaysia's pragmatic and flexible management approach has enabled the economy to raise its competitivenes and enhance its resilience in facing challenging circumstances. Deliberate measure has been taken to make the economy more diversified and broadbased to ensure sustainable growth. Continuos efforts have been pursuit to enhance the services sector, accelerate value-added of the manufacturing sector as well as boost the agriculture and agrobased sector as the third engine of growth. New sources of growth continue to be promoted and developed such as biotechnology, information and communications technology, halal products and Islamic finance. Indeed Malaysia is developing as a knowledge-based economy, driven by human capital, innovation and ideas.The global environment remains challenging in 2007, as a result of a persistently high crude oil price, inflationary pressures and monetary tightening, which has resulted in higher interest rates.

However, Malaysia remain confident in facing these challenges to achieve a healthy growth rate for 2008, given the nation more diverse economic structure and strengthened domestic fundamentals. Multinational corporations from more than 40 countries have invested in over 5,000 companies in Malaysia 's manufacturing and related services sectors, encouraged by the country's pro-business environment. Malaysia today is one of the world's top locations for offshore manufacturing and service-based operations. Many of the existing foreign companies have also continued to show their confidence in the country's potentials as an investment location through their numerous expansions and diversifications over the years, particularly in high technology projects.

Malaysia's Rankings

• Malaysia targets to be in top 10 in World Bank survey


• Malaysia ranks fourth for investor protection


• Malaysia among 25 top FDI destinations


• KL among lowest cost cities in Asia


• Malaysia 14th preferred destination for FDI


• Malaysia ranks 9th best site for expatriate retirement; up a notch in Corruption Perception Index


• Malaysia at 24th position in World Bank Report


• Deutsche Bank ranks Malaysia as Asia's second


• Frost & Sullivan ranks Malaysia as top five outsourcing locations


• Malaysia ranks 4th in managing energy cost pressures


• Malaysia retains 19th position in global export trade


• Malaysia ranks 19th most globalised country


• Malaysia stays at 25th position in World Bank report


• Malaysia is 6th in Asia in competitiveness ranking, 26 th globally


• Swiss UBS Bank Report : Kuala Lumpur cheapest city to live


• Malaysia among top 10 nations with super growth firms


• KL one of the world's cheapest cities according to Economist Intelligence Unit


• Malaysia keeps 3rd best spot for outsourcing


• Malaysia among top 5 for energy, finance and logistics


• Suria KLCC ranks as Malaysia's most expensive retail location, putting the country in the 26th


• Malaysia seen as 2nd manufacturing hub


• Malaysia Among the Top Five in Cost of Living League


• Malaysia's FDI outlook improves significantly in 2004 according to A.T. Kearney FDI Confidence Index


• Malaysia among world's top 10 business bases according to TNS Global Reputation Survey


• 2005 Malaysia Ranked 36th Out of 111 Countries in the Quality-of-Life Index 2005 by the Economist Intelligence Unit

source : Malaysian Industrial Development Authority (MIDA), 2007

Referred to our current politic scenario after 12th General Election and reading MIDA's report, I have a few questions need to be studied detail in my phd research :

1. Will investors still doing business in Malaysia? Increased or reduced?


2. Will enhance our efficiency in managing government or private mega projects ? More effective and transparent?


3. Will investors still have interest to invest in most developed state in Malaysia which fall under opposition parties eg Selangor, Perak, Kedah, Penang or some areas in Kuala Lumpur ?


4. Will our urban governance in our cities are more efficient towards competitive and sustainable ?


5. What the strategies of Local Authorities in 5 states under opposition parties will undertake to attract more investors?


6. Will the above Malaysia's Ranking will change to good position or worst position?