In order to both strengthen Malaysia’s ability to attract FDIs and to develop a proper communication strategy, CME proposes that MITI creates a FDI monitoring committee, joined by international Chambers of Commerce and Malaysian industry representatives. The tasks of the committee should be:

• Understanding the reasons which are eventually blocking investors to enter the country by listening to international and domestic industry players;
• Reviewing the reasons why approved investments do not turn into implemented investments;
• Communicating simultaneous data about approved and implemented FDIs;
• Drafting proposals to strengthen Malaysia’s investment attractiveness.

According to CME, among the most important issues surrounding investment attractiveness, two in particular need to be stressed: labour legislation and banking regulation. In fact, too many limitations are impeding the emergence of a vibrant labour market both at talent and low-skilled workers’ level; furthermore, restrictive banking rules are making impossible or extremely long for big corporations with a complex structure to obtain the opening of a bank account, with the rising risk of appointment of fake directors and shareholders and therefore deteriorating the legal framework surrounding investments in Malaysia.

“A regular revision of the investments, to understand what is right and what is wrong, and a constant dialogue with industry players, are key elements for revitalizing Malaysia’s vocation to international trade and investments”, concluded Dr Ferlito.