Industry & Retail

Crucial to Malaysia’s economic development is the continued transformation of its industrial base into one predicated on high value-added products and driven by innovation, automation and increased productivity. Such a shift is important to ensure the country is well-placed to compete in an increasingly competitive and open global market, a trend exemplified by the commencement of the ASEAN Economic Community in 2015 and the signing of the Trans-Pacific Partnership agreement in February 2016. While hypermarkets, convenience stores, and traditional markets and stores all jostle for position in the country’s cities, towns and villages, online retail is also developing apace. Despite short-term challenges, the sector continues to offer great potential, as more innovative retail experiences and the rollout of modern shopping centres continue to characterise the market. This chapter contains interviews with Mohd Yusoff Sulaiman, President and CEO, Malaysian Industry-Government Group for High Technology; and Gary Brown, CEO, 7-Eleven Malaysia.