Malaysia

Country Overview

Malaysia is a young State, born in the 1963 when the former British colonies of Singapore and the East Malaysian states of Sabah and Sarawak on the northern coast of Borneo joined the Federation of Malaya, independent from Great Britain since 1957. Malaysia today is an aggregate of over 29 millions people, of many different ethnics groups (Malays are 50%), religions (Muslim are 60%), languages. The State is a constitution Monarchy, with Kuala Lampur as capital.

Until few years ago Malaysia was a producer of raw materials exported in developed countries, while in recent years the internal use of abundant natural resources has been used to create a dynamic and emerging local economy driven by sectors like Financial, high technology industries, biotechnology, and services. However Exports remain a significant economy driver, particularly for electronics, oil, gas, palm oil and rubber.

The recent progressive increase of world energy prices was a great profit opportunity for Malaysia, in spite is also creating pressure on internal cost of gasoline and diesel fuel with negative impact of economy growth.

With purchasing power parity GDP of $ 447 billion, Malaysia is the 30th global economy, while growing rate of 5.2 and 7.2 respectively for 2011 and 2010 prove a growing speed above the average projecting the country to be in the Top Rank as emerging countries for the next decade.

Pro capita GDP at $ 15.600 (2011) is fast growing (in 2009 was $ 14.200) and combined with low unemployment rate (3.1 in 2011) and low interest rate (Central Bank discount rate at 2.8) are fueling commodity goods purchase.