Malaysia

With many sectors of the economy having performed solidly over the past 12 months, Malaysia is hoping for more of the same in 2012. Indeed, foreign direct investment (FDI) is up, inflation well contained, and the financial sector steady. However, at least some impact from the European debt crisis is expected, with demand for exports widely predicted to ease in 2012.

As hypermarkets change Malaysia’s shopping landscape and economic pressures squeeze profits, the country’s retail sector should continue to maintain a healthy growth rate and become increasingly competitive.

Malaysia’s capital markets are looking forward to another good year for initial public offerings (IPOs) in 2012, with a number of companies set to list on the nation’s exchange.

News that a Malaysian IT start-up company was bought by a large US outfit is a landmark acquisition that represents a significant step forward for entrepreneurism in the country.

Malaysia is at the forefront of a $485m infrastructure fund to forge closer transportation and logistics services between members of the ASEAN community.

Promising to initiate methods to stimulate domestic economic activity and foreign direct investment (FDI), Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak unveiled his government’s proposed 2012 budget on October 7.