Malaysia's marketing opportunities and biggest challenges

1. Despite recent events that have been broadcast far and wide, Malaysia is still considered to be a safe, peaceful and happy place to live.

2. Malaysia's greatest strength has to be it's people who want continued economic development. There are many marketing opportunities for this country which hopefully will be part of the realisation of the "new economic model". But these opportunities mean facing up to some big challenges. For example, a lack of a highly skilled workforce, too little research and development, an over-dependence on oil revenue, not enough innovation and creativity in the private sector.

3. How can Malaysia become a high income nation based on innovation?

Some cause for optimism?

As the World continues to deal with probably the worst economic depression in history, has a battle on it's hands with the H1N1 pandemic and is engaged in various on-going military conflicts, a review of the international economies in terms of construction opportunities may give some cause to be optimistic.

According to David Smith's article in the International Construction Review, and quoting research by IHS Global Insight, some sectors are proving to be more resistent to the spreading crisis.

Australia has huge natural resources and has benefited from demand from China. As China grows so does Australia. Even so, construction spending decelerated at the end of 2008 and business conditions are "subdued" and investors and banks are "cautious". The situtation in New Zealand is similar although the National Government has pledged to increase borrowing to fund major infrastructure projects.