FOREWORD

the investment climate in Malaysia, including the institutional and legislative framework for investment. Undertaken in partnership with the Secretariat of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) it illustrates the growing ties between the OECD and Malaysia, and Southeast Asia as a region. The Review uses the Policy Framework for Investment to chart the investment-related reforms undertaken in Malaysia that have contributed to its economic success. It describes the major role foreign direct investment has played in the growth and diversification of the economy, within an outward-oriented development strategy. Today, Malaysia is a net outward investor, with its companies increasingly becoming regional and global players. The Review also highlights ways to address inter-related challenges Malaysia faces in further opening up the economy and in making its regulations more efficient as the country strives to attain developed country status by 2020. The Review is based on a background report that facilitated a review by the OECD Investment Committee of Malaysia’s investment policies in December 2012. The Malaysian delegation was led by the Secretary General of the Ministry of International Trade and Industry, Dr. Rebecca Fatima Sta Maria. An early draft of the report was also discussed at a stakeholders ’ workshop organised by the Government of Malaysia in October 2012 in Kuala Lumpur, with the participation of a wide range of government agencies, the private sector, civil society and OECD delegations. The Review has been prepared by the Investment Division of the OECD Directorate for Financial and Enterprise Affairs. The team comprised Stephen Thomsen, Mike Pfister