05/05/2012 (Borneo Post) - UK-based business intelligence and publishing organisation, International Investor, released its first study on the Malaysian economy, providing its assessment of both the country’s strengths and weaknesses in light of the Economic Transformation Programme.

The report entitled ‘Malaysia’s Who’s Who 2012’ features an assessment on the country’s economic position, along with an analysis of the country’s key economic sectors including the financial sector, energy industry, electronics as well as transportation and logistics.

“Malaysia Who’s Who 2012 marks the culmination of a year’s work by a combination of independent economic analysis conducted by International Investor and its knowledge partners, along with in depth one-on-one interviews with individuals who are shaping the economy,” highlighted Cory D’Arbeeo, International Investor’s country publisher.

“”The combination provides readers with valuable market intelligence on Malaysia and an understanding of their peers’ opinions and business philosophy.”

Published commentaries included Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, Minister of International Trade and Industry Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed, Performance Enhancement and Delivery Unit chief executive officer Datuk Seri Idris Jala, chairman of Shell Malaysia, Anuar Taib, and many more.

Among Malaysia’s strengths uncovered in this report was its strong fiscal fundamentals and its abundance of natural resources, encompassing agriculture, forestry, mineral, palm oil, rubber and oil and gas which provide a strong basis for exports.

Malaysia also has one of the most well developed infrastructures among the newly industrialised countries of Asia.

Additionally, the government was focused on economic transformation and had shown consistent resolve in driving forward reforms that facilitate the development of a high-technology, high-income knowledge-based economy.

It also highlighted the services sector as one of the many segments yet to be tapped as a key growth area.

“A strong services industry across all economic sectors is key for Malaysia to move up the value chain,” it outlined.

Meanwhile, commodities such as crude palm oil and natural rubber prices have been on the rise and the government was showing strong support for the industry by introducing various fiscal initiatives, tariff-friendly incentives and facilitation services for foreign investors.

Additionally, education had strong growth opportunities for Malaysia to become a regional hub for high-quality education provision in the region.

“The country has been able to attract prestigious foreign school and facilities to the country and the local universities have the opportunity to increase the size and scope of the commercial spin-off arms, this cementing their relationships with the private sector,” added International Investor.

Another major industry was healthcare, whereby furthering the growth of tourism hubs such as Penang served to generate further interest in the country for medical services, it outlined.

“Importation of foreign clinics will enhance the country’s reputation and may ease concerns of foreign medical tourists regarding care quality. Furthermore, continued rising healthcare costs in the West and other developed nations might lead patients to seek services outside of their countries and Malaysia is well positioned,” it concluded.