Economy of Malaysia

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Economy of Malaysia
Currency	1 Ringgit = 100 sen
Fiscal year	Calendar year
Trade organisations	APEC, ASEAN, WTO
Statistics [1]
GDP ranking	29th
GDP	$357.9 billion (2007 est.)
GDP growth	6.3% (2007)
GDP per capita	$14,400 (2007 est.)
GDP by sector	agriculture: 8.6%, industry: 47.8%, services: 43.6% (2007 est.)
Inflation	2.1% (2007 est.)
Pop below poverty line	3.5% (2007 est.)
Labour force	10.89 million (2007)
Labour force by occupation	agriculture: (13%), industry: (36%), services: (51%) (2005 est.)
Unemployment	3.2% (2007)
Main industries	Peninsular Malaysia - rubber and palm oil processing and manufacturing, light manufacturing industry, electronics, tin mining and smelting, logging and processing timber Sabah - Palm oil farming, tourism, petroleum production, logging Sarawak - agriculture processing, petroleum production and refining, logging
Trading Partners [2]
Exports	$169.9 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.)
Main partners	United States 18.8%, Singapore 15.4%, Japan 8.9%, China 7.2%, Thailand 5.3%, Hong Kong 4.9% (2006)
Imports	$132.7 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.)
Main Partners	Japan 13.3%, United States 12.6%, China 12.2%, Singapore 11.7%, Thailand 5.5%, Taiwan 5.5%, South Korea 5.4%, Germany 4.4% (2006)
Public finances [3]
Public debt	41% of GDP (2007 est.)
Revenues	$41.01 billion (2007 est.)
Expenditures	$46.96 billion (2007 est.)
Economic aid	$31.6 million (2005)
edit

Malaysia is a growing and relatively open economy. In 2007, the economy of Malaysia was the 29th largest economy in the world by purchasing power parity with gross domestic product for 2007 was estimated to be $357.9 billion with a growth rate of 5% to 7% since 2007^[1] The Southeast Asian nation experienced an economic boom and underwent rapid development during the late 20th century. With a GDP per capita standing at US$14,400, it has, from time to time, been considered a newly industrialized country.^[2][3] On the income distribution, there are 5.8 million households in 2007. Of that, 8.6% have an monthly income below RM1,000, 29.4% had between RM1,000 and RM2,000, while 19.8% earned between RM2,001 and RM3,000; 12.9% of the households earned between RM3,001 and RM4,000 and 8.6% between RM4,001 and RM5,000. Finally, around 15.8% of the households have an income of between RM5,001 and RM10,000 and 4.9% have an income of RM10,000 and above.^[4]

As one of three countries that control the Strait of Malacca, international trade plays a large role in its economy.^[5] At one time, it was the largest producer of tin, rubber and palm oil in the world.^[6] Manufacturing has a large influence in the country's economy.^[7]

Contents 1 Background 1.1 Early and colonial history 1.2 Post-independence 1.3 Tiger economy 1.3.1 Macro-economic trend 1.4 Asian financial crisis and recovery 2 Economic Policies 2.1 Monetary Policy 2.2 Affirmative Action 2.3 Subsidies and Price Controls 2.4 Sovereign Wealth Funds 2.5 Government Influence 3 Currency System 3.1 Ringgit 4 Natural resources 5 Business Environment 6 External trade 6.1 Free trade efforts 7 Sectors 7.1 Industry 7.2 Finance & Banking 7.3 Oil and Gas 8 See also 9 References 10 External links

[edit] Background

[edit] Early and colonial history

The Malay Peninsula and indeed Southeast Asia has been a center for trade for centuries. Various items such as porcelain and spice were actively traded even before Malacca and Singapore rose to prominence. The Malacca Sultanate controlled the Straits of Malacca from its founding in 1402 to the 1511 invasion by Portugal. All the trade in the Straits, and especially the spices from the Celebes and the Moluccas, moved under its protection and through its markets.^[8]

In the 17th century, large deposits of tin were found in several Malay states. Later, as the British started to take over as administrators of Malaya, rubber and palm oil trees were introduced for commercial purposes. Over time, Malaya became the world’s largest producer of tin, rubber, and palm oil. These three commodities along with other raw materials firmly set Malaysia's economic tempo well into the mid-20th century.

[edit] Post-independence

During the 1970s, Malaysia followed the footsteps of the original four Asian Tigers and committed itself to transition from reliance on mining and agriculture to manufacturing. With Japan’s assistance, heavy industries flourished and in a matter of years, Malaysian exports became the country's primary growth engine. Malaysia consistently achieved more than 7% GDP growth along with low inflation in the 1980s and the 1990s.

Current GDP per capita grew 31% in the Sixties and an amazing 358% in the Seventies but this proved unsustainable and growth scaled back sharply to 36% in the Eighties rising again to 59% in the Nineties led primarily by export-oriented industries.^[9] The rate of poverty in Malaysia also fell dramatically over the years. However, its precipitous drop has been questioned by critics who suggest that the poverty line has been drawn at an unreasonably low level.^[10]

Central planning has been a major factor in the Malaysian economy, as government expenditure was often used to stimulate the economy. Since 1955, with the commencement of the First Malayan Five Year Plan, the government has used these plans to intervene in the economy to achieve such goals as redistribution of wealth and investment in, for instance, infrastructure projects.^[11]

A legacy of the British colonial system was the division of Malaysians into three groups according to ethnicity. The Malays were concentrated in their traditional villages, focusing mainly on agricultural activities, while the Chinese dominated Malaysian commerce. Educated Indians took up professional roles such as those of doctors or lawyers, while the less better-off worked the plantations.^[12][13] The Reid Commission which drafted the Malaysian Constitution made a provision for limited affirmative action through Article 153, which gave the Malays special privileges, such as 60% of university entrance (quota). However, after the May 13 incident of racial rioting in the federal capital of Kuala Lumpur, the government initiated more aggressive programmes aimed at actively establishing a Malay entrepreneurial class through direct intervention in the economy. The first five year plan that implemented these goals was the Second Malaysia Plan; its perceived heavy-handedness led to a new emphasis in the Third Malaysia Plan on a growing economic pie, so as to avoid robbing Peter to pay Paul.

As of 2006, the most recent five year plan is the Ninth Malaysia Plan. The five year plans have been criticised for resembling the central planning of Soviet communism; the five-year time frame has been attacked for being insufficient in dealing with short-term crises and long-term trends.^[14] The effectiveness of the plans has also been disputed; at the beginning of 2005, the last year of the Eighth Malaysia Plan, almost 80% of the funds allocated under the plan had not been disbursed.^[15]

There has also been a trend towards government involvement in the economy through government-linked companies (GLCs). Their purpose was to "[level] the economic playing field" and "serve as the vehicles for Malay entry into the private sector" according to one commentator. However, several GLCs were reportedly taken over by the United Malays National Organisation (UMNO), the ruling party, through nominees, resulting in criticism that they were vehicles for corruption.^[16]

[edit] Tiger economy

[edit] Macro-economic trend

This is a chart of trend of gross domestic product of Malaysia at market prices^[17] estimated by the International Monetary Fund with figures in millions of Malaysian Ringgit.

Year	GDP (in millions)	Exchange (1 USD to MYR)	Inflation Index (2000=100)
1980	54,285	2.17	51
1985	78,890	2.48	64
1990	119,082	2.70	70
1995	222,473	2.50	85
2000	343,216	3.80	100
2005	494,544	3.78	109

For purchasing power parity comparisons, the US Dollar is exchanged at 1.70 Ringgit only. Average wages in 2007 hover around $30-37 per day.

From 1988 to 1997, the economy experienced a period of broad diversification and sustained rapid growth averaging 9% annually.

By 1999, nominal per capita GDP had reached $3,238. New foreign and domestic investment played a significant role in the transformation of Malaysia's economy. Manufacturing grew from 13.9% of GDP in 1970 to 30% in 1999, while agriculture and mining which together had accounted for 42.7% of GDP in 1970, dropped to 9.3% and 7.3%, respectively, in 1999. Manufacturing accounted for 30% of GDP (1999). Major products include electronic components – Malaysia is one of the world's largest exporters of semiconductor devices – electrical goods and appliances.

During the same period, the government tried to eradicate poverty with a controversial race-conscious positive program called New Economic Policy (NEP). First established in 1971 following race riots, commonly known in Malaysia as the May 13 Incident, it sought to eradicate poverty and end the identification of economic function with ethnicity. In particular, it was designed to improve the distribution of wealth among the country's population.. The NEP ostensibly ended in 1991, however the policies persist in the form of other programmes such as the National Development Policy. The policies are enforced overtly through race-based quotas for low-cost housing units, university placement, business equity ownership, etc.

Rapid growth was achieved partly through privatisation of inefficient state owned enterprises, thus subjecting them to commercial pressures and forcing them to better utilise their resources. Many deals were done behind closed doors and put through rather quickly. In one example Khazanah Nasional alienated shares in DRB Hicom to Mega Consolidated. This led to such deals being labelled mega projects.

Foreign funds were attracted to invest making the local money market and bourse liquid. This created opportunity for local businesses to raise capital on the KLSE, and carry out infrastructure development in areas like telecommunications, highways and power generation to meet bottlenecks caused by rapid industrialisation. An intense labor shortage created employment for millions of foreign workers. Subsequent events show that more than 50% were illegal.

The influx of foreign investment led to the KLSE Composite index trading above 1,300 in 1994 and the Ringgit trading above 2.5 in 1997. At various times the KLSE was the most active exchange in the world, with trading volume exceeding even the NYSE. The stock market capitalisation of listed companies in Malaysia was valued at $181,236 million in 2005 by the World Bank.^[18]

Some of the more visible projects from that period are Putrajaya, a new international airport (Kuala Lumpur International Airport), a hydroelectric dam (Bakun dam), the Petronas Towers and the Multimedia Super Corridor. Proposals that were eventually canceled include the 95 km Sumatra-Malaysia bridge (would have been world's longest), the Mega International Sea and Air port on reclaimed land in Kedah (would have been world's biggest) and the KL Linear City (would have been the world's longest mall and the world's first city built over a river).

Concerns were raised during the time about the sustainability of the rapid growth and the ballooning current account. The mainstream opinion prevalent at that time was that the deficit was temporary and would reverse once imported equipment started producing for export. In spite of that, measures were taken to moderate growth especially when it threatened to overheat into the double digits. The main target was asset prices, and restrictions were further tightened on foreign ownership of local assets. Exposure of local banks to real estate loans were also capped at 20%.

As was widely expected, the current account deficit did narrow steadily, year to year, from 9% to 5% of GDP.

Malaysia has the largest operational stock of industrial robots in the Muslim world.^[19]

[edit] Asian financial crisis and recovery

Further information: Asian financial crisis

The year 1997 saw drastic changes in Malaysia. Foreign direct investment fell at an alarming rate and the Ringgit depreciated substantially from MYR 2.50 per USD to much levels lower (up to MYR 4.80 per USD at its bottom) as capital flowed out. The Kuala Lumpur Stock Exchange’s composite index fell from approximately 1300 to nearly merely 400 points in a few short weeks. In response, the Malaysian government imposed capital controls and pegged the Malaysian Ringgit at 3.80 to a US dollar while refusing economic aid from International Monetary Fund (IMF) which came with austere lending conditions. By refusing aid and thus the conditions attached thereof from the IMF, Malaysia was not affected to the same degree in the Asian Financial Crisis as Indonesia, Thailand and the Philippines.

Regardless, the GDP suffered a sharp 7.5% contraction in 1998. It however rebounded to grow by 5.6% in 1999. The Government of Malaysia predicted 5.8% real GDP growth in the year 2000, but most analysts predicted growth will exceed 8% for the year.

In order to rejuvenate the economy, massive government spending was made and Malaysia continuously recorded budget deficits in the years that followed. Economic recovery has been led by strong growth in exports, particularly of electronics and electrical products, to the United States, Malaysia's principal trade and investment partner. Inflationary pressures remained benign, and, as a result, Bank Negara Malaysia, the central bank, had been able to follow a low interest rate policy. Later, the country enjoyed faster economic recovery compared to its neighbors though in many ways, the level of pre-1997 affluence has yet to be achieved.

The fixed exchange rate regime was abandoned in July 2005 in favor of a managed floating system within an hour of China's announcing of the same move. In the same week, the Ringgit strengthened a percent against various major currencies and was expected to appreciate further. As of December 2005, there has been no further appreciation of the Ringgit. In spite of the large positive current account surplus, foreign reserves have started to fall at a rapid rate. Official statistics released in March 2006, confirmed capital flight of more than USD 10 billion. However, as of the 4th fiscal year, a surge of FDI has pushed the KLSE above 1200 points, and is expected to strengthen to pre 1997 levels.

As of 21 May 2007, the Ringgit touched a nine-year high record at 3.39 against the US dollar. Bank Negara governor Tan Sri Dr Zeti Akhtar Aziz says the Ringgit moves up on its own merit and in line with the Malaysian economy and not in tandem with the Chinese Yuan. Malaysia has shown the ability to absorb the crude oil price increases and most economies have shown high resilience in absorbing higher energy prices.

[edit] Economic Policies

Like many other independent nations, Malaysia's economic policies were shaped by various events in the nation's history since independence.

[edit] Monetary Policy

Prior to the 1997 Asian Financial Crisis, the Malaysian ringgit was an internationalized currency, which was freely traded around the world. Just before the crisis, the Ringgit was traded RM2.50 at the dollar. Due to speculative activities, the Ringgit fell as much as RM5.00 to the dollar in matter of weeks. Bank Negara Malaysia, the nation's central banks decided to impose capital controls to prevent the outflow of the Ringgit in the open market. The Ringgit is not traded internationally, a traveler needs to declare to the central bank if taking out more than RM10,000 out of the country and the Ringgit itself was pegged at RM3.80 to the US dollar.

The fixed change rate was abandoned to floating exchange rate in July 2005, hours after People's Republic of China announced the same move.^[20] At this point, the Ringgit is still not internationalized. The Ringgit continue to strengthen to 3.18 to the dollar in March 2008. Meanwhile, many aspect of the capital control has been slowly relaxed by Bank Negara Malaysia. However, the government continues to not internalized the Ringgit. The government stated that the Ringgit will be internationalized once it is ready.^[21]

[edit] Affirmative Action

Main article: Malaysian New Economic Policy

This affirmative action policy is a direct result of the May 13 Incident in 1969.^[22] Prior to the incident, the poverty rates among Malays were extremely high (at 65%) as was discontent between races, particularly towards the Chinese, who controlled 34% of the economy at the time.^[23][24]

Through NEP, Bumiputera quotas are placed in housing developments, scholarship admission and also for ownership of publicly listed companies. The quota system has been relaxed recently since the March 8 2008 General election. Bumiputera equity requirement for publicly listed companies has been relaxed since 12 November 2008 by allowing those companies to remove the quota once after IPO has been done.^[25]

The Malaysian New Economic Policy was created in 1971 with the aim of bringing Malays a 30% share of the economy of Malaysia and eradicating poverty amongst Malays, primarily through encouraging enterprise ownership by Bumiputeras. After 30 years of the program, the NEP had somewhat met some of its goals. Bumiputera ownership increased to 18.9% in 2004 against 2.4% in 1970 and poverty decreased to 8.3% in 2004 against 64.8% in the 1970s.^[26][23][27]

The NEP is accused of creating an oligarchy, and creating a 'subsidy mentality'.^[28] Political parties such as Parti Keadilan Rakyat and Democratic Action Party have proposed a new policy which will be equal for every Malaysian, regardless of race.^[29] When the Democratic Action Party was elected in the state of Penang in 2008, it announced that it will do away with the NEP, claiming that it "... breeds nepotism, corruption and systemic inefficiency".^[30]

[edit] Subsidies and Price Controls

• See Also: Gas Subsidies

The Malaysian government subsidizes and control prices on a lot of essential items to keep the prices low. Items such as palm oil cooking oil, petrol, flour, bread, rice and other essentials has been kept under market prices to keep cost of living low. In 2008, the government announced that it has spent RM40.1 billion in 2007 in subsidies to keep prices leveled.^[31]

Smuggling and hoarding, which leds to shortages, is a prominent problem in Malaysia due to the subsidies. For example, cooking oil is subsidised only for domestic use only. This situation creates an environment where industrial players hoard domestic cooking oil for industrial use. During shortage time, such as the January 2008 cooking oil crisis, the government impose a 5 kg limit for each purchase to relief domestic demand. However, the limited purchase has created more panic buying, which prompt the Government to negotiate with cooking oil manufacturers to increase their production capacity, and situation revert to normal within one week time.^[32] Another example is where vehicles in Thailand come to Malaysia to smuggle cheap petrol and diesel out of the country. The government also looking into restructuring the fuel subsidy so that the selected needy group will get the subsidy. The government is considering to remove subsidy on diesel on general consumers while maintaining subsidies for the right groups, for example those involved in public transport.^[33]

On May 5, 2008 the Malaysia government raised the price of petrol by 41 percent from MYR1.92 to MYR2.70, (87 cents) a liter, or 10.23 Ringgit ($3.30) a gallon. The government stated that the spiraling fuel subsidy bill that could have been more than 56 billion Ringgit ($17 billion) this year due to rising world oil prices. Diesel prices also were raised upwards of 63 percent to 2.58 Ringgit (80 cents) per liter. In addition to the fuel hike, Malaysia also increased electricity tariffs starting in July by as much as 26 percent for some consumers. The government in the meantime promised cash rebates for owners of vehicles with engine capacities of 2 liters or less, and diesel subsidies for truck and bus operators. According to the Malaysian government the revised energy prices would save the government 13.7 billion Ringgit ($4.4 billion), part of which will be used to help subsidize rising food prices.^[34] Before the price revision, Malaysia was spending 7.5 percent of total economic output on fuel subsidy, the highest percentage in the world.^[35]

The government has considered to remove the subsidies but a formal plan had yet to materialized as of 2007.^[36] In 2008, the government is considering to remove price controls on construction materials such as cement and steel bars while banning exports to ensure steady supply.^[37] The government is experimenting with the idea through allowing Sabah and Sarawak construction players to import steel and cement since February 2008.^[38] The government then, on May 12, 2008 removed ceiling prices on steel bars and billets and removed import duties on selected items under HS Code 7214.10 110 and 7214.20 910, which do not fully cover steel bars use by the construction industry.^[39] The government then further liberalized the cement industry by abolishing ceiling prices on June 5, 2008.^[40]

Another strategic item which Malaysia is heavily subsidize but moving towards a market based approach is Natural Gas which is used in the industrial sector. Beginning July 1, 2008, the government is expected to reduce the gas subsidy 5% to 10% per annum over 11 years, in which the gas price will reflect market price.^[41]

[edit] Sovereign Wealth Funds

The government owns and operates several sovereign wealth funds that invests in local companies and also foreign companies. One such funds are Khazanah Nasional Berhad which was established in 1993.^[42] Its objective is to help shape selected strategic industries in Malaysia and develop those investment for the benefit of Malaysia.^[43] The fund invest in major companies in Malaysia such as Proton Holdings in the automotive sector, CIMB in the banking sector, Pharmaniaga in the medical sector, UEM Group in the construction sector, Telekom Malaysia in the communications industry and many other companies in many other industries.^[44] It is estimated that the fund size of Khazanah Nasional stands at around 19 billion USD.^[42]

Another fund that is owned by the Malaysian government is the Employees Provident Fund which is claimed to be the fourth largest state run pension fund in Asia.^[45] Like Khazanah Nasional, the EPF invests and sometimes owns several major companies in Malaysia such as RHB Bank.^[45] EPF investment is diversified over a number of sectors but almost 40% of their investment are in the services sector.^[46] Fund size in 2007 is estimated at 100 billion USD.^[47]

Pemodalan Nasional Berhad is a major fund manager controlled by the Malaysian Government. It offers capital guaranteed mutual funds such as Amanah Saham Bumiputera and Amanah Saham Wawasan 2020 which are open only to Malaysian and in some cases, Bumiputeras.^[48] As of April 2008, it manages MYR120 billion of funds (36 billion USD), of which MYR76 million is unit trust funds.^[49] The fund manager is a sizable investor in strategic companies such as MMC Corporation Berhad,^[50] Maxis Communications Berhad^[51] and TM International Berhad^[52] among others.

[edit] Government Influence

Although the federal government promotes private enterprise and ownership in the economy, the economic direction of the country is heavily influenced by the government though five years development plans since independence. The economy is also influenced by the government through agencies such as the Economic Planning Unit and government-linked wealth funds such as Khazanah Nasional Berhad, Employees Provident Fund and Pemodalan Nasional Berhad.

The government's development plans, called the Malaysian Plan, currently the Ninth Malaysia Plan, started in 1950 during the British colonial rule.^[53] The plans were largely centered around accelerating the growth of the economy by selectively investing in selective sectors of the economy and building infrastructure to support said sectors.^[53] For example, in the current national plan, three sectors - agriculture, manufacturing and services, will receive special attention to promote the transition to high value-added activities in the respective areas.^[54] Other than the generalized plans like the Ninth Malaysia Plan, the government also have a development plan that are targeted to improve the manufacturing sector which is called the Industrial Master Plan. Currently, the plan is called the Third Industrial Master Plan (IMP3) which covers a period from 2006 to 2020. The industrial plans aim to make Malaysia a major trading nation and build up the country's economy and human capital.^[55]

Economic Planning Unit (Malay: Majilis Tindakan Ekonomi Negara), established in 1961^[56] was instrumental in steering Malaysia to recovery from the 1997 Asian Financial Crisis. The unit is an agency under the Prime Minister's Department responsible for steering Malaysia's socio-economic development towards achieving a developed-nation status by the year 2020 through various measures such as preparing policies and strategies for socio-economic development, prepare medium and long term plans for the government and most importantly, advise the government on economic issues.^[57]

Government-linked investment vehicles such as Khazanah Nasional Berhad, Employees Provident Fund and Pemodalan Nasional Berhad invest and sometimes own major companies in major sectors of the Malaysian economy. For example, Khanazah Nasional is a major shareholder in Proton Holdings, an automaker and CIMB banking group in the financial sector.^[58] The government, however, is keen to sell stakes in their companies such as Malaysia Airlines to let the companies remain globally competitive^[59]

[edit] Currency System

[edit] Ringgit

Main article: Malaysian Ringgit

The only legal tender in Malaysia is the Malaysian Ringgit. As of 20 March, 2008, the Ringgit is traded at MYR 3.18 at the dollar.^[60] The Ringgit was not internationalised since September 1998, an effect due to the 1997 Asian Financial Crisis in which the central bank impose capital controls on the currency.^[61] As a part of series of capital controls, the currency was pegged between September 1998 to 21 July 2005 at MYR 3.80 to the dollar.^[62] In recent years, Bank Negara Malaysia beginning to relax certain rules to the capital controls although the currency itself is still not traded internationally yet. According to the Bank Governor, the Ringgit will be internationalised when it's ready.^[63]

[edit] Natural resources

Malaysia is well-endowed with natural resources in areas such as agriculture, forestry and minerals. In terms of agriculture, Malaysia is one of the top exporters of natural rubber and palm oil, which together with sawn logs and sawn timber, cocoa, pepper, pineapple and tobacco dominate the growth of the sector. Palm oil is also a major generator of foreign exchange.

Regarding forestry resources, it is noted that logging only began to make a substantial contribution to the economy during the nineteenth century. Today, an estimated 59% of Malaysia remains forested. The rapid expansion of the timber industry, particularly after the 1960s, has brought about a serious erosion problem in the country's forest resources. However, in line with the Government's commitment to protect the environment and the ecological system, forestry resources are being managed on a sustainable basis and accordingly the rate of tree felling has been on the decline.

In addition, substantial areas are being silviculturally treated and reforestation of degraded forest land is also being carried out. The Malaysian government provide plans for the enrichment of some 312.30 square kilometres (120.5 sq mi) of land with rattan under natural forest conditions and in rubber plantations as an inter crop. To further enrich forest resources, fast-growing timber species such as meranti tembaga, merawan and sesenduk are also being planted. At the same time, the cultivation of high-value trees like teak and other trees for pulp and paper are also encouraged. Rubber, once the mainstay of the Malaysian economy, has been largely replaced by oil palm as Malaysia's leading agricultural export.

Tin and petroleum are the two main mineral resources that are of major significance in the Malaysian economy. Malaysia was once the world's largest producer of tin until the collapse of the tin market in the early 1980s. In the 19th and 20th century, tin played a predominant role in the Malaysian economy. It was only in 1972 that petroleum and natural gas took over from tin as the mainstay of the mineral extraction sector. Meanwhile, the contribution by tin has declined. Petroleum and natural gas discoveries in oil fields off Sabah, Sarawak and Terengganu have contributed much to the Malaysian economy. Oil and Gas resources are managed by Petronas, the state controlled oil company which forms production sharing contracts with other players like Exxon-Mobil and Royal Dutch Shell to explore oil fields in Malaysia.

In 2004, Minister in the Prime Minister's Department, Mustapa Mohamed, revealed that Malaysia's oil reserves stood at 4.84 billion barrels (769,000,000 m³) while natural gas reserves increased to 89 trillion cubic feet (2,500 km³). This was an increase of 7.2%.^{[citation needed]} As of January 1, 2007, Petronas reported that oil and gas reserve in Malaysia amounted to 20.18 billion barrels (3.208×10⁹ m³) equivalent.^[64]

The government estimates that at current production rates Malaysia will be able to produce oil up to 18 years and gas for 35 years. In 2004, Malaysia is ranked 24th in terms of world oil reserves and 13th for gas. 56% of the oil reserves exist in the Peninsula while 19% exist in East Malaysia. The government collects oil royalties of which 5% are passed to the states and the rest retained by the federal government.^[65]

Other minerals of some importance or significance include copper, bauxite, iron-ore and coal together with industrial minerals like clay, kaolin, silica, limestone, barite, phosphates and dimension stones such as granite as well as marble blocks and slabs. Small quantities of gold are produced.

[edit] Business Environment

According to World Bank, Malaysia ranks 24th in Ease of doing business. Malaysia's strengths in the rank includes getting credit (rank 3rd), protecting investor (ranked 4th) and doing trade across borders (ranked 21st). Weaknesses include dealing with licenses (ranked 105th). The study ranks 178 countries in all aspect of doing business.^[66] In the investor protection category of the survey, Malaysia had scored a perfect 10 for the extent of disclosure, nine for director liability and seven for shareholder suits. Malaysia is behind Singapore, Hong Kong and New Zealand in investor protection category of the survey^[67]

The government is moving towards a more business friendly environment by setting up a special task force to facilitate business called PEMUDAH, which means "simplifier" in Malay.^[68] Highlights includes easing restrictions and requirement to hire expatriates, shorten time to do land transfers and increasing the limit of sugar storage (a controlled item in Malaysia) for companies.^[69] The Government aims to be in the top 10 in the Ease of doing business survey before 2010 in order to attract even more foreign investors.^[70]

The efforts of PEMUDAH is beginning to show fruits as their ranking improved to number 20 in 2009, with marked improvement in four ares: getting credit; dealing with construction permits; paying taxes; and enforcing contracts.^[71]

[edit] External trade

Malaysia is an important trading partner for the United States. In 1999, two-way bilateral trade between the U.S. and Malaysia totaled U.S. $30.5 billion, with U.S. exports to Malaysia totaling U.S.$9.1 billion and U.S. imports from Malaysia increasing to U.S.$21.4 billion. Malaysia was the United States' 10th-largest trading partner and its 12th-largest export market. During the first half of 2000, U.S. exports totaled U.S.$5 billion, while U.S. imports from Malaysia reached U.S.$11.6 billion.

The Malaysian Government encourages Foreign Direct Investment (FDI). According to Malaysian statistics, in 1999, the U.S. ranked first among all countries in approved FDI in Malaysia's manufacturing sector with approved new manufacturing investments totaling RM5.2 billion (US$1.37 billion). Principal U.S. investment approved by the Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA) was concentrated in the chemicals, electronics, and electrical sectors. The cumulative value of U.S. private investment in Malaysia exceeded $10 billion, 60% of which is in the oil and gas and petrochemical sectors with the rest in manufacturing, especially semiconductors and other electronic products.

In the first six months of 2007, Malaysia's total trade increased by 2.2% to RM522.38 billion, compared with RM511.11 billion in the same period of 2006.

[edit] Free trade efforts

See also: Malaysia-United States Free Trade Agreement

Malaysia is the founding member of the ASEAN Free Trade Area which was established in 1992 to promote trade among ASEAN members. Most tariffs among the first generation member states were scrapped in 2007. ASEAN itself is increasingly playing a large role in free trade negotiation on behalf of its members. ASEAN as a group hopes to establish a free trade agreement with the European Union by 2009.^[72]

The Malaysian Government is negotiating free trade deals with Australia, New Zealand, United States, Chile and India.^[73] Officials have expressed desire for free trade agreements their ASEAN members Singapore and Thailand. The Malaysian Trade Ministry released a statement in Vietnam saying that the FTA "has the potential to increase trade, investment cross flows and economic cooperation between the two countries. The agreement would also serve to make Chile a gateway for Malaysia's exports to the Latin American market."^[74]

Malaysia signed a Japan-Malaysia Economic Partnership Agreement with Japan on 13 December, 2005.^[75] This leads to a Free trade agreement which was in effect from 13 July, 2006 and expected to be fully realized in 2016.^[76] The agreement itself is an extension of an FTA between ASEAN and Japan, which is called Asean-Japan Comprehensive Economic Partnership.^[77]

On 8 November, 2007, Malaysian and Pakistan signed a bilateral Free Trade Agreement which will come in force on 1 January, 2008. Malaysia will cut tariffs on 140 lines while Pakistan will cut 124 lines. Most tariffs and duty is expected to be eliminated by 2012.^[78]

Other conutries that showing interest to establish a free trade agreement with Malaysia are the European Union and Hong Kong. However, before any talks can be made regrading the FTA, Joint Economic Cooperation deal has to be inked and signed first. International Trade and Industry Minister, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin hope that talks will be concluded by end of 2008.^[79]

[edit] Sectors

[edit] Industry

Malaysia industrial sector accounts for 48.1 percent of total GDP or 63.4 billion US dollars. The industrial output is ranked 32nd in the world.^[80] The industrial sector is regulated and promoted by Malaysia Industrial Development Authority.^[81]

Malaysia have 15 companies that rank in the Forbes Global 2000 ranking for 2008.^[82]

World Rank	Company	Industry	Revenue (billion $)	Profits (billion $)	Assets (billion $)	Market Value (billion $)
623	Malayan Banking	Banking	4.16	0.92	74.12	13.90
625	Tenaga Nasional	Utilities	6.66	1.16	19.34	12.27
691	Sime Darby	Conglomerates	7.94	0.74	9.68	21.82
704	Bumiputra-Commerce Holdings	Banking	3.82	0.84	54.90	11.07
780	Telekom Malaysia	Telecommunications Services	5.35	0.76	13.21	12.28
822	Public Bank	Banking	2.79	0.64	52.14	11.08
1038	MISC	Transportation	3.24	0.83	8.09	10.48
1198	Genting	Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure	2.54	0.60	9.04	7.94
1326	IOI Group	Food Drink & Tobacco	2.60	0.43	3.94	15.40
1518	PPB Group	Food Drink & Tobacco	0.89	2.08	3.60	4.01
1648	RHB Bank	Banking	1.83	0.21	31.47	3.34
1679	Cahya Mata Sarawak	Banking	1.75	0.00	29.21	0.21
1771	AMMB Holdings	Banking	1.60	-0.06	22.50	2.91
1780	Hong Leong Financial Group	Banking	1.07	0.14	22.33	1.54
1791	Petronas Gas	Oil & Gas Operations	0.86	0.36	2.75	6.26

[edit] Finance & Banking

Finance and Banking sector in Malaysia is regulated by Bank Negara Malaysia. The central bank limits foreign participation through licensing limits. The central bank launched a Financial Sector Master plan in 2001 to revamp the finance sector following the Asian Financial Crisis. The master plan calls for emphasis on Islamic Banking.^[83]

Maybank is Asia-Pacific the largest Islamic banking service provider with US$6.4 billion (RM22.48 billion) Syariah-compliant assets.^[84] Malaysia also accounts for two thirds of global $82.2 billion sukuk market in 2007.^[85] Khazanah Nasional owns the largest retakaful company in the world, ACR Retakaful Holdings Limited, with capital base amounting to 300 million US Dollars.^[86]

A quarterly report prepared by the Economist Intelligence Unit on behalf of Barclays Wealth in 2007 estimated that there were 48,000 dollar millionaires in Malaysia (over twice that of China).(page 49)

[edit] Oil and Gas

Malaysia has a vibrant Oil and Gas industry. The national oil company, Petronas, provides 32% of the federal budget in taxes, dividends and royalties.^[87] The oil company ranked 121 in Fortune Global 500 list of companies in 2007. It also ranked 18 in the industry of the same list.^[88] The company has move up to the rank by being 95th in 2008 in terms of revenue and 8th most profitable company in the world and the most profitable in Asia.^[89][90] Since inception in 1974, Petronas have paid the government RM 403.3 billion, with RM 67.6 billion in 2008. The payment represents a 44% of the 2008 federal government revenue.^[91]

Petronas is also the custodian of oil and gas reserves for Malaysia. Hence, all oil and gas activities are regulated by Petronas. Malaysia encourages foreign oil company participation through production sharing contracts, in which significant amount of oil will be given away to the foreign oil company until it reaches a production milestone. Currently, many major oil companies such as Exxon-Mobil, Royal Dutch Shell, Nippon Oil, and Murphy Oil are involved in such contracts.^[92] As a result, 40% of oil fields in Malaysia are developed.^[93]

Malaysia and Thailand has a wedge shaped area 150km from Kota Bharu, Kelatan and 260 km from the shores of Songkhla, Thailand which is jointly developed by Petronas and its Thailand counterpart. The area, which is called Malaysia-Thailand Joint Development Area, has 4.5 trillion cubic feet (130 km³) of proven reserves.^[94]

[edit] See also

• Islamic banking in Malaysia
• Poverty in Malaysia

[edit] References

[edit] External links

• Mahathir bin Mohamad's interview with the PBS series "Commanding Heights" on the subject of East Asian economic development.
• Key Statistics for Malaysia
• Economic Outlook by Economist Intelligence Unit
• http://www.matrade.gov.my/matrade/matradeMedia072007.htm

v • d • e Member economies of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Australia · Brunei Darussalam · Canada · Chile · People's Republic of China · Hong Kong, China · Indonesia · Japan · Republic of Korea · Malaysia · Mexico · New Zealand · Papua New Guinea · Peru · Philippines · Russian Federation · Singapore · Chinese Taipei * · Thailand · United States · Vietnam *Designation of the Republic of China (Taiwan)

v • d • e Members of the World Trade Organization (WTO) Albania · Angola · Antigua and Barbuda · Argentina · Armenia · Australia · Bahrain · Bangladesh · Barbados · Belize · Benin · Bolivia · Botswana · Brazil · Brunei · Burkina Faso · Burma · Burundi · Cambodia · Cameroon · Canada · Cape Verde · Central African Republic · Chad · Chile · PR China · Colombia · Democratic Republic of the Congo · Republic of the Congo · Costa Rica · Côte d'Ivoire · Croatia · Cuba · Djibouti · Dominica · Dominican Republic · Ecuador · Egypt · El Salvador · European Union¹ · Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) · Fiji · Gabon · The Gambia · Georgia · Ghana · Grenada · Guatemala · Guinea · Guinea-Bissau · Guyana · Haiti · Honduras · Hong Kong² · Iceland · India · Indonesia · Israel · Jamaica · Japan · Jordan · Kenya · South Korea · Kuwait · Kyrgyzstan · Lesotho · Liechtenstein · Macau² · Madagascar · Malawi · Malaysia · Maldives · Mali · Mauritania · Mauritius · Mexico · Moldova · Mongolia · Morocco · Mozambique · Namibia · Nepal · New Zealand · Nicaragua · Niger · Nigeria · Norway · Oman · Pakistan · Panama · Papua New Guinea · Paraguay · Peru · Philippines · Qatar · Rwanda · St. Kitts and Nevis · St. Lucia · St. Vincent and the Grenadines · Saudi Arabia · Senegal · Sierra Leone · Singapore · Solomon Islands · South Africa · Sri Lanka · Suriname · Swaziland · Switzerland · Separate Customs Territory of Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen, and Matsu³ · Tanzania · Thailand · Togo · Tonga · Trinidad and Tobago · Tunisia · Turkey · Uganda · Ukraine · United Arab Emirates · United States · Uruguay · Venezuela · Vietnam · Zambia · Zimbabwe All twenty-seven member states of the European Union are also members of the WTO in their own right: Austria • Belgium • Bulgaria • Cyprus • Czech Republic • Denmark • Estonia • Finland • France • Germany • Greece • Hungary • Ireland • Italy • Latvia • Lithuania • Luxembourg • Malta • Netherlands and Netherlands Antilles • Poland • Portugal • Romania • Slovakia • Slovenia • Spain • Sweden • United Kingdom. Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China. Designated name for the Republic of China (Commonly Known as Taiwan)

v • d • e  Malaysia topics History Timelines · Prehistoric · British Malaya · Straits Settlements · During World War II · Union · Federation · Independence Day · May 13 Incident · Asian financial crisis · PAP-UMNO relations · Modern Malaysia Politics and government Constitution · Yang di-Pertuan Agong · Cabinet · Prime Minister · Parliament · Political parties · Dewan Undangan Negeri · Elections · States · Foreign relations · Human rights · Military · Civil Service · Law · Law enforcement · Courts Geography Peninsular Malaysia · East Malaysia · Caves · Islands · Lakes · Mountains (ranges) · National parks · Ports and harbours · Rivers · Cities · Districts · States · Cities, towns and villages Economy History · Malaysian ringgit · Banks (Bank Negara Malaysia) · Bursa Malaysia · Companies · Communications · Transport · Employees Provident Fund · FELDA · Urban Development Authority Demographics Ethnic groups [ Malay · Chinese (Peranakan)  · Indian · Kadazan-Dusun · Iban ] · Languages Culture Architecture · Cinema · Cuisine · Education · Literature · Media · Music · Public holidays · Religion (religious freedom) · Sport Transport Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) · Malaysia Airlines · Rail (Monorail) · Expressways · Malaysian Highway Authority · Transport in Kuala Lumpur (Public · Sentral railway station) Symbols Anthem · Bunga Raya flower · Emblem · Flag · Rukunegara (pledge) Other topics Current events in Southeast Asia · List of Malaysians · Residency programs · Science and technology · Malaysian National Space Agency · Tourism · Disasters

v • d • e Economy of Asia Sovereign states Afghanistan · Armenia1 · Azerbaijan1 · Bahrain · Bangladesh · Bhutan · Brunei · Burma2 · Cambodia · People's Republic of China · Cyprus1 · East Timor3 · Egypt4 · Georgia1 · India · Indonesia · Iran · Iraq · Israel · Japan · Jordan · Kazakhstan4 · North Korea · South Korea · Kuwait · Kyrgyzstan · Laos · Lebanon · Malaysia · Maldives · Mongolia · Nepal · Oman · Pakistan · Philippines · Qatar · Russia4 · Saudi Arabia · Singapore · Sri Lanka · Syria · Tajikistan · Republic of China5 · Thailand · Turkey4 · Turkmenistan · United Arab Emirates · Uzbekistan · Vietnam · Yemen Dependencies, autonomies, other territories Aceh · Adjara1 · Abkhazia1 · Akrotiri and Dhekelia · Altai · British Indian Ocean Territory · Buryatia · Christmas Island · Cocos (Keeling) Islands · Guangxi · Hong Kong · Inner Mongolia · Iraqi Kurdistan · Jakarta · Khakassia · Macau · Nagorno-Karabakh · Nakhchivan · Ningxia · Northern Cyprus · Palestine (Gaza Strip · West Bank) · Papua · Sakha · South Ossetia1 · Tibet · Tuva · West Papua · Xinjiang · Yogyakarta Italics indicates an unrecognised or partially recognised country.  1 Sometimes included in Europe, depending on the border definitions.  2 Also known as Myanmar.  3 Sometimes included in Oceania, and also known as Timor-Leste.  4 Transcontinental country.  5 Commonly known as Taiwan.