2023

Malaysia's tourism ecosystem has embarked on a resilient post-Covid comeback, driven by strategic efforts to enhance its appeal to global travelers. Initiatives like the introduction of a digital nomad visa and a focus on cultural and heritage tourism in the recent Budget 2024 announcement have positioned Malaysia as an attractive destination. One of the key factors enriching Malaysia's allure is its...

Malaysia and China are poised to introduce a visa-free travel arrangement that will benefit citizens of both nations. Under this arrangement, Malaysians will be allowed 15 days of visa-free travel to China, while Chinese citizens will enjoy 30 days of visa-free entry to Malaysia. The implementation of this travel arrangement is anticipated to commence next month. A source from the Malaysian Cabinet...

The Exchange TRX, opening its doors on November 29, 2023, in Kuala Lumpur's emerging international financial district, is more than just a shopping mall; it's a transformative lifestyle destination designed to redefine urban luxury and community engagement. This 17-acre mixed-use development includes a luxury hotel, six residential towers, and a 1.3 million square-foot retail space, all interconnected and...

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has reiterated the Malaysian government's unwavering commitment to advancing the electric vehicle (EV) industry and fostering the adoption of green technology. He emphasized that this commitment aligns seamlessly with the objectives outlined in Budget 2024, which aims to accelerate the widespread acceptance of EVs and encourage the use of green technology across...

Virtual reality (VR) technology has been steadily gaining traction in recent years, and its adoption accelerated during the Covid-19 pandemic. Lockdowns and restrictions made traditional real estate processes, such as house tours and sales agreements, nearly impossible. According to a 2022 study by the Centre of Studies for Estate Management at Universiti Teknologi Mara, 27.3% of respondents within the...

Cumulative mortgage loan applications for the first nine months of 2023 (9M 2023) in Malaysia reached RM337 billion. This figure reflects a modest 3.2 percent decline compared to the previous year (YoY). However, it's important to note that it still surpasses pre-pandemic levels. In the third quarter of 2023 (3Q 2023), mortgage loan applications saw a notable increase, rising by 1.3 percent...

Despite nearly two decades of government efforts to promote Transit-Oriented Developments (TODs), misconceptions about these projects persist among the majority of Malaysians. While many developments claim to be TODs based on their proximity to public transportation stations, true TODs go much further. So, where does Malaysia stand in its TOD journey? According to PLANMalaysia's general guidelines, there...

Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) is expected to maintain its Overnight Policy Rate (OPR) at 3% throughout 2024, according to BMI, a Fitch Solutions company. This projection follows BNM's recent decision to leave the OPR unchanged for the third consecutive meeting on November 2, aligning with expectations. Inflation Trajectory BMI highlights that Malaysia's domestic inflation has been on a clear downward...

The Malaysian real estate market has shown signs of improvement since last year, but it has yet to fully recover to pre-pandemic levels, according to Datuk Seri FD Iskandar Mansor, the group managing director and CEO of Glomac Bhd. FD Iskandar noted that there is a growing interest in property investment and real estate in Malaysia. However, several challenges continue to impact the industry's...

The much-anticipated retail component of The Exchange TRX, located within Kuala Lumpur's Tun Razak Exchange international financial district, is poised to welcome visitors on November 29. This joint-venture development between Lendlease and TRX City Sdn Bhd promises to transform the city's retail landscape. With an impressive 95% occupancy rate, The Exchange TRX boasts over 400 stores spread across a vast...