Malaysia Economy

Since Iskandar Malaysia, one of five regional growth corridors in the country, was first mooted a decade ago, it has attracted investments in property development, not just in residential but also in industrial, commercial and hotels.

With its stunning rainforests, beautiful beaches and rich biodiversity, Sabah’s potential as a tourist destination is undeniable. Yet while a series of incidents have slowed the sector’s development since 2014, there are abundant signs of a strong recovery, and decisive steps are being taken to position the sector for future growth.

With major oil and gas deposits offshore, Sabah has long been a key part of Malaysia’s hydrocarbons industry – a major driver of the national economy. Indeed, since the first commercial discoveries were made offshore in the Sabah Delta Basin back in the early 1970s, oil and gas have made up a considerable slice of Sabah’s state revenues. This...

Just 1 km across the water from Singapore, Johor Bahru (JB) has long been in the shadow of its glamorous neighbour, but now both the local and federal governments are stepping up efforts to transform the city of 1m people into a vibrant 21st-century metropolis. JB is in the midst of a major makeover, both as one of the five development zones...

The Sabah Development Corridor (SDC) was launched in 2008 and covers the whole of Sabah. It is now entering its third phase of development, which is likely to create more opportunities for foreign investors, particularly in the areas of tourism, hydrocarbons and palm oil-related ventures.

Developing Sabah’s infrastructure – from the provision of basic services such as electricity, water and sewers to crucial transport links such as ports, airports and roads – has long been vital to the state’s development but, given its mountainous terrain and relatively small population, is also a major logistical challenge. As in the rest of...