Asia Economy

This chapter contains a selection of leading hotels and resorts, contact details of ministries, associations and services, tips for business travellers, and a feature piece on the Danum Valley.

A series of economic reforms launched in 2010 support Malaysia’s goal of lifting itself out of the middle-income trap and into the ranks of high-income economies by 2020. As part of the Economic Transformation Plan (ETP), the government established the Agensi Inovasi Malaysia (Malaysian Innovation Agency, AIM) to lead policies and strategies related to innovation. Additionally, innovation and...

One of the largest of Malaysia’s 13 states, Sabah is banking on an economic development strategy that aims to make the most of its strategic position in the South China Sea, the beauty of its landscape and the riches of its natural environment. The plan centres on the Sabah Development Corridor (SDC), one of five economic development zones established throughout Malaysia and designed to...

Resource rich and export-oriented, Malaysia’s economy has endured another major test in resilience, with a global slump in commodities and China’s slowdown...

As a leading force in regional integration through the ASEAN trading block, Malaysia has managed to consolidate its position as the principle gateway to South-east Asia. Though smaller in terms of market size than its neighbours, it has consistently punched above its weight in attracting foreign direct investment dollars. Despite external headwinds in 2015 and the beginning of 2016, Malaysia...

Having undergone rapid development over the last half-century, Malaysia’s economy has progressed from relying on agricultural and primary commodities to being more broad-based and export-driven. Benefitting from long-term political stability, sound economic management and pragmatic leadership, the country possesses sound infrastructure, established health care and education systems, and an...