SOURCING PLAN OFFSHORE COUNTRY PROFILE: MALAYSIA

Extremely diverse, multi-ethnic and multi-religious country

Industrial growth and political stability achieved through the manufacturing of apparel goods

Become one of the wealthiest and most developed third-world countries within the Asian continent

Social:

44th most populous country

Major languages include: Malay (the official language), English and several distinct Chinese dialects

The Government's goal to aim at making Malaysia the center when it comes to education excellence in the country

Extremely low national income tax, low cost of local food, transportation fuel and other household essentials

Malays will usually act deliberately and with restraint to protect self-worth and perception

Culture: it is very clear that Malaysian ethnicities tend to retain their religions, customs and way of life throughout their lifetime

Men and women of the same ethnicity will marry

The family is considered the center of their social structure

When it comes to introductions, men may not shake a woman’s hand, they must bow with their hand over their heart Politics:

Malaysia’s federation consists of its 13 states and a political system that is a constitutional monarchy based upon the British parliamentary system, as well as English Common Law

Only country in Southeast Asia which is officially federalist

The majority Muslim ethnic Malay are dominant politically

A large ethnic Chinese minority holds economic power

Economy:

Malaysia has what is known as a mixed economic system, which includes private freedom, combined with centralized economic planning and government regulation

The currency used is the Malaysian ringgit, which is worth approximately �0.24 of the United States dollar

The services sector constitutes 56.5% of the national economy and has been a key driver of economic and job growth in Malaysia in recent years

Member of the (APEC), (ASEAN), and (TPP)

Working to shift the focus of their investments on key areas including: finance, high technology industries, biotechnology, and services

Exports, including products such as electronics, oil and gas, palm oil and rubber, still remain a significant driver of the country’s economy today

Labor productivity in Malaysia is significantly higher due to a higher density of knowledge-based industries and the adoption of using cutting edge technology

Geographic:

Malaysia, when compared to the typical size of the United States, can be compared to the size of New Mexico

Borders Brunei, Indonesia, Singapore and Thailand

Linked to Singapore by a narrow causeway and ridge, and shares maritime boundaries with Vietnam and the Philippines

The South China Sea presents two similarly sized regions, Peninsular Malaysia and East Malaysia

The climate on the Peninsula is mostly affected by wind, as opposed to the maritime weather they face on the East Rich in the natural resources it provides, including: tin, petroleum, timber, copper, iron ore, natural gas and bauxite

Logistics of Imports:

Ocean Freight because it less expensive, more-cost effective, and a desirable choice for textile and apparel importers

Malaysia has long and accessible coastlines which have fostered maritime trade. Several ports, notably Port Kelang, or the principal port, have become major container-handling facilities within the country