Are We Really Serious.....

We have been telling the world that we want them to invest in Malaysia. That we are the most competitive economy with a strong ringgit to boot. That we have the best bundle of incentives including tax breaks, skilled manpower and a good public delivery system. In short, we are business friendly.

We had the Multimedia Super Corridor (MSC) before. Some may say it has been successful. Others are of the opinion that it was a so so success; mostly hyping. Anyway, it has now been expanded to include Penang as well.

Lately, Prime Minister Abdullah launched the Iskandar Development Region (IDR). We have recuited top marketing people to bring in the investors like Tan Sri Musa and Robert Kuok. Come 30 July, we will launch the North Corridor Economic Region (NCER), to be followed soon by the Eastern Corridor Development Region.

All these initiatives are to be private-sector driven. To be truly competitive, an economy must offer the best incentive package to the world. So where is the money coming from for all these economic region projects? Yes, Singapore investors are smart and savvy, despite being short-changed in Shenzhen. They are looking from across the Causeway for good deals with attractive global incentives. Can IDR, NCER and the others fit the bill? Prime Minister Abdullah is supposed to announce the list of pioneer investors for the IDR very soon. Let us see who these early entrants are. Are they world-class entities?

Apart from mere incentives, there must be good law and order keeping as well and a good adjudication system where the aggrieved can seek quick legal remedy. If you have all these, then the investors will come...from anywhere.

Heartsong