Malaysia has much to offer investors

Malaysia, ranked 25th of 144 economies in the Global Competitiveness Report 2012-2013, offers an excellent business environment for investors from all over the world.

According to the World Investment Report 2013 published by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development, the country attracted $10.07 billion worth of foreign investment in 2012, and the stock of its foreign investment reached $132.4 billion by the end of the same year.

Investment climate

Convenient location, abundant human and natural resources, adequate infrastructure, a solid economic foundation and a stable political environment together have turned Malaysia into an ideal destination for foreign investors.

First of all, the country is located within the core zone of Southeast Asia, with easy access to the Middle East, Australia, New Zealand and the business markets of Association of Southeast Asian Nations.

It is the world's second-largest palm oil producer and third-largest natural rubber producer. Cocoa, timber and pepper are main agriculture exports as well.

In addition, Malaysia has the third-largest tin reserves in the world and a sizeable amount of rare metals, such as copper, gold, antimony, manganese, bauxite, chromium, titanium, uranium and cobalt.

Second, Malaysia's economy has maintained sustained growth in recent years. In 2012, its GDP grew 5.6 percent, bringing its per capita GDP to $9,974.

The government has started to implement their 15th Five-Year Plan (2011-15) in the recent years, which focuses on "economic booms and social justice."

The plan aims to develop private economy and creative industries, improve social environment, promote efficiency and transparency in government services as well as strengthen labor resources.

Infrastructure also adds to Malaysia's investment environment.

Foreign investors will be well served by the country's existing infrastructure, including well-constructed airports, highways, seaports, telecommunication and electricity systems. The government is also inviting foreign companies to invest in bringing Malaysia's infrastructure to a new level.

Malaysia has abundant labor resources. Citizens under 35 make up 63.9 percent of the whole population.

There are a considerable number of young educated local laborers that could provide great services to the firms at relatively low costs.

Last but not least, Malaysia is a mixture of races and ethnicity, resulting in rich diversity.

People of Chinese descent, accounting for 22.2 percent of the population, have been fully integrated into the local community.

Malaysia enjoys a stable social and political environment and maintains friendly relations with other countries in the world. It is a neutral nation and one of the founders of the Non-Aligned Movement.

Government policies

The nation's favorable tax rate and laws have attracted many investors from Japan, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, China, South Korea, France, Norway, India, Netherlands, Germany and many other countries in the world.

Companies like Dell, Intel, Sony, Samsung, Panasonic and Samsung have settled in Malaysia as well.

Malaysia has adopted a series of tax policies that encourage foreign investment, which include:

1. Pioneer Status, PS: Company will be granted tax exemption on 70 percent of the statutory income for 5 years. The balance 30 percent of that statutory income will be taxed at the prevailing company tax rate.

2. Investment Tax Allowance, ITA: Company will be granted an allowance of 60 percent with regard to any qualifying capital expenditure incurred within five years from the date the first capital expenditure is incurred. The allowance can be utilized to set off (exempt) up to 70 percent of the statutory income in the assessment year.

The balance of that statutory income will be taxed at the prevailing company tax rate. Any unutilized allowance can be carried forward to subsequent years until the whole amount has been fully utilized. The policy mainly applies to manufacturing, agriculture, tourism and service industries.

3. Reinvestment Allowance, RA: This policy mainly applies to manufacturing and agriculture companies. The RA is given at the rate of 60 percent on the qualifying capital expenditure incurred by the company and can be offset against 70 percent of its statutory income for the year of assessment.

4. Accelerated Capital Allowance, ACA: After the 15-year period of eligibility for RA, companies that reinvest in the manufacture of promoted products are eligible to apply for Accelerated Capital Allowance.

The ACA provides a special allowance, in which the capital expenditure is written off within three years. For example, an initial allowance of 40 percent and an annual allowance of 20 percent. This policy applies to manufacturing and agriculture industries, as well as environmental management and telecommunication technology

5. Agricultural Allowance, AA: Agricultural companies, cooperatives and organization can apply for this allowance. Deductions are allowed on capital expenditures (agricultural allowance) for approved agricultural projects.

6.MSC Status: Telecommunication companies could have a 100 percent tax exemption after their information has been checked by Multimedia Development Corporation. It also allows unrestricted employment of foreign knowledge workers.

7. Operational Headquarters Status, International procurement Centers Status, Regional Distribution Centers Status: Aside from being allowed the 100 percent foreign ownership, the approved Operational Headquarters, International Procurement Centers and Regional Distribution Centers are also granted the 100 percent tax exemption for their earnings (up to 10 years) as well as other benefits.

Cooperation

Malaysia was the first ASEAN member to establish diplomatic relations with China. It has maintained close ties with China in politics, economics, cultural, education and many other areas.

From 1984 to 2012, Malaysia's investment in China has totaled $6.3 billion, including the renowned Parkson Supermarket by the Lion Group and the Shangri-La Hotel by the Kuok Brother Group.

The Chinese direct investment in Malaysia, on the other hand, has grown quite rapidly and the cumulative amount to date totaled more than $1 billion in 2012, $199 million of which was invested in 2012 alone.

The key projects of Chinese companies in Malaysia include a rubber plantation operated by Guangken Rubber Group, a telecom project by Huawei and an iron mill by Shougang Group.

Furthermore, Chinese companies signed 72 new infrastructure contracts with Malaysia in 2012.

The newly signed contracts include the land reclamation project at Mersing harbor by the Sinohydro Group, Telekom Malaysia's contract with Huawei, the new metro rapid transit construction in Kuala Lumpur by China Railway Group.

And with the support from Chinese government, China and Malaysia together built two industrial parks in 2012 and 2013.

These two countries have integrated their resources, technology, markets and capital to help accelerate the development of the whole region.

The author is an expert with the Chinese Academy of International Trade & Economic Cooperation.