Malaysia overtakes UK, Japan, Thailand in competitiveness ranking

Malaysia’s competitiveness ranking which moved up to the 19th spot this year, saw it overtaking countries like United Kingdom (21st), Japan (22nd), Thailand (27th) and South Korea (31st), said Director General of Malaysian Industrial Development Authority (MIDA) R. Karunakaran.

It was in the 23rd place last year in the World Competitiveness Yearbook 2008 Report published by the International Institute for Management Development (IMD) in Switzerland.

"Malaysia was ranked seventh among countries with a population of more than 20 million, compared with its eight position in 2007. Malaysia’s ranking was ahead of UK, Japan, France, Thailand, India and South Korea and this was Malaysia’s best ranking over the last three years," said Karunakaran during the launch of the third edition of The Report: Malaysia 2008, here today.

MIDA collaborated with the Oxford Business Group (OBG) to publish the book.

MIDA has been actively promoting Malaysia as the choice destination for manufacturing-related activities including the establishment of regional centres, operational headquarters, international procurement centres, distribution centres, regional offices and representative offices.

Meanwhile, The Report: Malaysia 2008, which will serve as a guide for investors, with its in-depth source of information on the country's investment scenario, is expected to complement MIDA’s efforts to further promote Malaysia as the preferred investment location in the manufacturing and services sector, Karunakaran said. (BERNAMA)

The ranking here.