The top 10 countries for 2010 by Lonely Planet
Malaysia
Malaysia often gets criticised as being mild in comparison with its grittier neighbours, Thailand and Indonesia. It’s true, natural disasters and coups only seem to happen across its borders, the roads don’t have too many potholes, buses and trains have air-con and plush seats, and hotels are of international standard. While troubles are few, visiting Malaysia lets you leap into the jaws of one of the most interesting parts of Southeast Asia’s roaring cultural smorgasbord – and not be too worried about it. Cheap connections to Europe and great exchange rates mean that you won’t get eaten up by your wallet either.
http://www.lonelyplanet.com/malaysia/travel-tips-and-articles/42/15809
Malaysia Continues To Be A Competitive Investment Destination In Asia
- due to its well-developed physical and institutional infrastructure compared to other countries on the continent.
- a potential investment to tap into in the country, is the halal industry. Malaysia continues to make great strides in promoting its world class Halal hub.
- Located strategically within the Asia Pacific region, Malaysia is among the most developed countries in Asean.It is also recognised internationally as a modern and progressive Islamic country with an open economy offering competitive business incentives.
- Blessed with economic and political stability, the country is well positioned to become the leader in developing the halal industry.
- Malaysia's active role in the Organisation of the Islamic Conference (OIC) and its position as the home of the Islamic Financial Services Board (IFSB), further enhanced the country's standing as the market leader in the provisioning of halal products and services globally.
- Having taken the lead in the global multi-billion business of providing halal products and services, including Islamic finance,Malaysia has moved aggressively in the industry over the past few years
- Investors should know that under the Asean Free Trade Area (AFTA), products manufactured in Malaysia, which meet the Asean content requirements, enjoy preferential access in the other member countries.
http://www.bernama.com/bernama/v5/newsbusiness.php?id=464953
Economy may face tougher times in 2010
- following concerns that the United States may be heading for a double-dip recession.
- There are worries that the growth momentum that we are seeing now -- not only in Malaysia but everywhere else -- is somewhat fragile because the growth that we are seeing in the United States and Europe and some other countries are very much driven by fiscal stimulus packages,
- the possibility of asset bubbles especially in China and many countries in East Asia and rising inflation
- all these countries had been printing money this year to finance part of their deficits.
- These extra money printed actually have not translated into higher prices because of repressed demand conditions. But once economy starts to recover, demand will begin to recover, there is a strong possibility of inflation reemerging. If inflation were to rise, countries like Australia and Europe which are very sensitive to inflation numbers, may jack up interest rates. And if they jack up interest rates, then I think it will scuttle the growth process
http://sun2surf.com/article.cfm?id=41757
