Market Expansion into Malaysia

Malaysia, with a population of approximately 33.2 million and a GDP of USD 445.5 billion as of 2024, is an upper-middle-income country and one of the more developed economies in Southeast Asia.

Malaysia’s economy is well-diversified, the result of comprehensive economic, financial, and fiscal reforms undertaken by the government.

Major industries today include electrical appliances, electronic parts and components (notably semiconductors, where Malaysia ranks as the world’s third-largest exporter), palm oil, petroleum and liquefied natural gas (LNG), wood products, and rubber. Manufactured goods continue to dominate Malaysia’s export portfolio, reflecting its pivot toward becoming a high-end manufacturing hub, particularly in semiconductors and advanced technology. At the same time, the services sector is gaining momentum as a vital engine for future expansion, with investments in fintech, e-commerce, and smart infrastructure.

Malaysia’s strong economic performance, pro-business stance, liberalized investment policies, and tax incentives are key factors encouraging foreign enterprises to operate in the country.

These factors underscore Malaysia’s commitment to strengthening its position as a regional business hub and a key player in the global supply chain.

Orissa International conducted business matching for a European wholesaler and distributor of pharmaceuticals, which sources and supplies its products across 6 continents. The company supplies over 1,500 pharmaceutical lines to its clients, mostly unlicensed pharmaceuticals, orphan drugs and specialty medicines. The client was searching for companies in Malaysia who were already importing unlicensed medicines and were interested in European products. Orissa International arranged 10 business meetings for the client with medium-sized Malaysian companies who are involved in import, wholesale and distribution of pharmaceutical products in the country.

Orissa International assisted a Japanese manufacturer of industrial tapes find potential partners in Malaysia for its waterproof tapes used in the construction industry. We conducted a distributor search to identify 29 potential waterproofing contractors and relevant distributors in the local construction industry and presented their profiles to the client for review. After an extensive pre-qualification process, our local team in Malaysia then proceeded to arrange meetings for the client with nine companies in the country that were keen to explore opportunities with the client.  Through the assistance from Orissa International, the client managed to establish connections with new contractors and distributors and expand its sales network in the country. 

Orissa International undertook a research project in Malaysia for a boutique executive search firm focusing on the commodities and energy sectors. The study provided an overview of the energy sector including oil and gas (onshore, offshore, refinery, terminals and storage), renewables and utilities and covered recruitment practices in the energy sector for middle to senior level executives. We interviewed HR executives in energy firms to understand how companies work with headhunting firms. The competitive landscape, which comprised of large general recruitment firms and specialized energy sector recruitment service providers, was analyzed. We also obtained information on relevant business license requirements and procedures and provided recommendations on market entry pathways.