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Malaysia Country Report 2014

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Private consumption and household spending have helped the Malaysian economy to continue to expand in recent times. Photo: Bloomberg

Export-led growth to drive economy

Malaysia's economy grew above expectations in the last quarter of 2013 and the outlook for this year is stable as long as the country is able to withstand internal and external factors, according to one analyst.

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Melaka Gateway heralds new era

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Nation charges into diversifying, expanding its energy sector

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Opening Sabah's treasure troves

Some 20 metres from the shores of Sipadan Island in Sabah, Malaysia, the coral reef suddenly drops 1,000m to 2,000m. Divers perched atop the edge of the reef wall can watch from a distance of 10m thousands of swirling barracudas, mating hawksbill sea turtles and many other marine creatures.

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Dr Mohd Yaakub Johari, president and CEO

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SDC offers winning formula for business

It is an exciting time for business in Sabah. The United States-based restaurant giant Darden has started a US$1.6-billion pilot project to grow lobsters in the Malaysian state. As this unfolds, ready-built factories in the Kota Kinabalu Industrial Park (KKIP) have been sold out, prompting the government to develop more with the private sector. Real estate prices have also been upbeat. With inquiries from investors worldwide, especially from Hong Kong, property quotes in Kota Kinabalu have remained robust. Land values along the Sembulan River, for example, continue to strengthen.

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SEDIA plays key role in state's progress

It is the year 2025 in Sabah. A strong manufacturing alongside a vibrant tourism sector has quadrupled gross domestic product. The success of various economic clusters has created wealth reaching far into the hinterlands. As a transshipment hub for the world especially for Asia and the Brunei Darussalam-Indonesia-Malaysia-the Philippines East Asean Growth Area, the Sapangar Bay Container Port supports a wide range of industries from the traditional palm oil to nanotechnology.

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Lifestyle aspirations take shape in E&O properties

Eastern & Oriental (E&O) strengthens the Malaysian property market as a choice second-home destination among high-net-worth individuals from the region and beyond. Every new trend it establishes draws more and more foreign buyers to Malaysia, where foreign ownership of landed properties and freehold titles is encouraged by 10-year visa grants to foreign property buyers.

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An aerial view of Seri Tanjung Pinang Phase I development, with Quayside development superimposed in the background.

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RHB Banking Group banks on Asean business to boost overseas earnings

Malaysia's fourth-largest financial services group, the RHB Banking Group (RHB), is set to become one of Asia's leading multinational financial institutions by 2020. The banking group has grown its asset base from 104.5 billion ringgit (HK$247 billion) in 2008 to 191.1 billion ringgit in 2013 and increased its pre-tax profit from 430 million ringgit in 2006 to 2.5 billion ringgit in 2013.

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Tropicana's resort-style projects set urban living benchmark

Imagine living in a lush tropical retreat and stepping out to work at a prime business location just nearby. For Tropicana Corporation, this almost idyllic picture is not just a fanciful architectural rendering, but a concrete reality. The residential and commercial developer has been Malaysia's pioneer in building outstanding resort-like developments where people can live, work and play.

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London Biscuits delights Asian palates with tasty selections

London Biscuits has perfected the recipe for developing products that excite the palates of consumers. Satiating the Malaysian appetite for high-quality and delectable snacks for more than 20 years, London Biscuits takes the next step as it continues to expand its product lines and increase its production capacity. This is to achieve the company's goal to earn the distinction of being among Asia's leading snack manufacturers.

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Y.C. Liew, group managing director and CEO

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IWH paves way in Johor Bahru for waterfront city of the future

Having the distinct advantage of being near high-growth areas such as Bangalore, Dubai, Hong Kong, Seoul, Shanghai, Taipei and Tokyo, Iskandar is one of Malaysia's key regional economic corridors. The thriving metropolitan area possesses immense potential to aid the country's transformation agenda and enhance the public's quality of life.

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BP Healthcare makes medical services more accessible

When it comes to comprehensive health care services in Malaysia, the BP Healthcare Group rises above the competition in delivering an outstanding patient experience. Expanding its medical centre network and continuing to develop innovative services, BP Healthcare has been providing top-notch medical services accessible to a wider scope of patients for more than 30 years.

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Penang woos tourism investors, eyes upscale market

Actively targeting more foreign investments and tourists, the Penang State Tourism Development office has launched initiatives to attract luxury hoteliers, real estate developers and cruise providers. The move complements the state's programme to cultivate a holistic tourist experience showcasing Penang's living cultures - its culinary, architectural, artistic and cultural heritage from a blend of Asian and European influences.

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SilTerra ramps up production capacity, attracting investors

Chip fabrication foundry SilTerra Malaysia is ramping up its production capacity, and looking for more investors who can help boost its economic scale in the next few years.

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SilTerra makes Malaysia proud by delivering success.

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Sabah Net eyes opportunities for data centre business

Recognising the role of information and communications technology (ICT) in improving competitiveness, the Sabah state government has been aspiring to develop its technology infrastructure since the mid-1990s. A prime mover in building the ICT landscape of Malaysia's second largest state is Sabah Net, a government-owned service integrator whose vision extends to supporting the needs of the private sector.

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Sabah Net meets the stringent data centre requirements of global corporations.

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MINDA places emphasis on effectiveness of boards

In keeping with a rapidly globalising economy, Malaysia's national commitment to push government-linked companies (GLCs) to become internationally competitive goes as deep as the mindsets of its business leaders. An offshoot of the GLC Transformation Programme, the Malaysian Directors Academy, or MINDA, is keeping pace with these companies, while eyeing to become Asia's renowned institution for high-performing directors and effective boards.

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Trendsetting business management solutions grow Asian businesses

Many Asian businesses that have succeeded by keeping up with global economic trends are becoming innovative trendsetters themselves. Asian restaurant chains, for instance, have successfully adapted the Western quick service restaurant (QSR) model in offering food selections that suit local preferences. Having made the model their own, these chains went on to expand outside of their countries of origin.

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Local Basic's one-stop solutions improve manufacturing processes

The robust development of Asia's industrial sector coupled with technological advancements is inducing market appetite for the latest machine tools. With surging demand for metal-based products, particularly in the automotive and industrial sectors, companies are looking for innovative solutions and partnerships that will increase their competitive edge. Aware of these growing activities for automated work, Malaysia's leading contract metal manufacturer, Local Basic, matches the needs of Asia's industrial markets.

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Lay Hong promotes health with poultry products

With dedication to quality, freshness and nutrition, Lay Hong has become a trusted supplier of poultry products in Malaysia. Under the NutriPlus and Wise Choice brands, the company's offerings range from regular, speciality and liquid eggs to fresh chicken, frankfurters and nuggets. Lay Hong's brands have become bywords for cleanliness and health among households. The company supplies to food majors such as MacFood, Unilever and Gardenia Bakeries.

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MSM grows Asia-Pacific business for future expansion

Amid the challenges of a highly competitive sugar industry, MSM Malaysia is aggressively expanding its market share across the Asia-Pacific region as it prepares for capacity expansion. "We have set our goal to be a top three global player by 2020. In order to be a global player, we will have to get ourselves involved in the entire value chain - from upstream, mid- and downstream," says its newly appointed president and group CEO, Dr Sheikh Awab Abod. MSM Malaysia Holdings is a publicly listed company on the Malaysia stock exchange. Malaysia's leading sugar producer is aggressively looking for merger and acquisition opportunities around the world.

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Desmet Ballestra expands green offering in Asia

As Malaysia positions itself to become a hub for Asia's palm oil industry and green technology, Europe-based Desmet Ballestra Group sees the country as a competitive platform to export its process engineering expertise in the region. Through its subsidiary, Desmet Ballestra (Malaysia), the group is setting up offices throughout Asia to be closer to its customers.

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Melaka stands out with culture of excellence

Barely larger than Singapore and the third-smallest Malaysian state, Melaka is undergoing a cultural revolution that is reshaping its people, government and business landscape.

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FGV rises as global powerhouse in agribusiness

Malaysia accounts for 39 per cent of global palm oil output and 44 per cent of world exports, demonstrating its vital role in satisfying increasing global demand for oils and fats. At the forefront of this momentous undertaking is Felda Global Ventures Holdings (FGV), a rising global powerhouse in agribusiness with diversified operations in more than 10 countries across four continents.

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Weststar soars with developments of the future

Diversification has driven Malaysia to unprecedented growth rates in the past few years. From commodities to non-commodities and from raw commodities to processed goods, the economy has diversified horizontally and vertically. Non-resource sectors were particularly strengthened by welcoming foreign investments and talents, while new, hi-tech manufacturing plants have been established to complement infrastructure for traditional industries such as oil and gas.

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Greater heights in the offing for ambitious ventures

Propelled by increased spending from the consumer and business sectors, Malaysia's gross domestic product is projected to rise by as much as 5.1 per cent this year.

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Weststar Aviation Services has grown into the largest offshore helicopter service provider in Southeast Asia.

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At the helm of a national business icon

No less iconic than Weststar Group itself is founder and group managing director Syed Azman Syed Ibrahim, the man behind the grand vision that transcends boundaries in a way Malaysia - and even Asia - has never witnessed before.

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Perdana ParkCity creates vibrant communities with time-tested ideals

Developing large-scale master-planned communities that foster family and neighbourhood ties, Malaysia-based Perdana ParkCity is building visionary properties. With Asia's growing affluence, booming property market and a rising middle class eager to experience rewarding lifestyles within tranquil, secure and contemporary enclaves, Perdana promotes communities in Malaysia and abroad that imaginatively converge wholesome family values with lifestyle needs.

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Langkawi set to become leading global eco-destination

Premier holiday destination Langkawi has been awarded as one of the 10 Best Destinations in Malaysia by TripAdvisor Travelers' Choice for the second consecutive year. The world's oldest rock formation, 99 idyllic beaches, 230 species of birds, verdant mangroves and lush jungles are among the natural treasures that make Langkawi the "Jewel of Kedah". Poised to become one of the world's top 10 eco-tourism destinations, Langkawi continues to shine under the management of Langkawi Development Authority (LADA).

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