The Manufacturing Sector in Malaysia

Abstract

This chapter outlines data on the manufacturing sector in Malaysia. Data for this chapter comes mainly from government reports published by the Department of Statistics, the Central Bank of Malaysia (Bank Negara Malaysia), the Economic Report 2014/2015, newspaper articles and relevant journal articles. Specifically, this chapter focuses on data related to the economic performance and prospects of the manufacturing sector in Malaysia. The chapter begins with an overview of the manufacturing sector in Malaysia, followed by a description of the performance of the manufacturing sector. It then outlines the production performance of the industries in the manufacturing sector, namely, electrical and electronic products; chemicals, chemical products and petroleum products; wood and wood products; textiles, apparel and footwear; construction-related materials; transport equipment; and food products, beverages and tobacco products. The subsequent subsections focus on private and foreign investment in the manufacturing sector, exports of manufactured goods, employment in the manufacturing sector and financing for the manufacturing sector. The chapter concludes with a discussion on the importance of studying the manufacturing industry in Malaysia.