Malaysia

Malaysian government in response to the Asian crisis, such as the ban on short selling, were swiftly adopted by the very countries that had previously been critical of the Malaysian response. Malaysia is also one of the region’s top education and healthcare destinations. Malaysia is recognised as a newly industrialised country. In 2008, GDP per capita (PPP) of Malaysia stands at US$14,215, ranking her 48th in the world, and 2nd in Southeast Asia, lagging far behind neighbouring Singapore, the only developed economy in Southeast Asia, with a GDP per capita (PPP) of US$49,288, ranking 3rd in the world. By comparison, Thailand has a per capita income of US$7,703 (ranked 81th) and Indonesia with US$3,975 (ranked 106th).

Demographic Data

Economic Data

Cultural & Other Data

GDP (PPP, $bn)

386.6

Capital

Kuala Lumpur

Area (sq. km.)

329,750

GDP Real

Growth (%)

5.1

Other Large Cities

Klang, Johor Baharu, Ipoh

Population (million)

25.7

PerCap GDP ($)

15,300

Primary Language

Malay

Population

Growth %

1.723

Prime Lending

Rate (%)

6.41

Urban

Population %

70

% Population

Under 15yrs

31.4

Inflation Rate%

5.8

Urban Growth %

3

Population below

poverty line (%)

5.1

Unemployment%

3.7

Literacy

(% of population)

88.7

Agricultural Workers

(% of population)

10

Foreign Direct

Investment($bn)

92.76

Education spending

as % of GDP

6.2

Industrial Workers

(% of population)

44

Debt-External

($bn)

54.11

CPI Score (1-10)*

5.1

Service Workers

(% of population)

46

Exports ($bn)

195.7

Corporate Income Tax %

25

Labor Force (mil)

11.2

Imports ($bn)

156.2

Ease of Doing

Business Ranking **

20

CURRENCY EXCHANGE RATE

05/27/09 $1 = 3.5 MYR

Franchising Laws Overview

Disclosure laws:

  • Franchisor must provide prospective franchisee with a disclosure document at least 10 days before any franchise agreement is signed.

Relationship laws:

  • Franchisee is given 7 working days of “cooling off” period after the agreement has been signed.
  • Minimum term for franchise agreement is five years.
  • Compensation to franchisee if franchisor refuses to renew.
  • No termination of the agreement except for good cause.

Registration laws:

  • A franchisor must register a franchise before making an offer to prospective franchisees. The registration must include a disclosure document, operations manual, training manual, financial documents, and a sample franchise agreement.
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