By IZZAT RATNA

MALAYSIA is set to benefit from China’s Belt and Road initiative, with multiple investments inflows to build infrastructure for logistics, transport, export, and manufacturing.

JLL Property Services (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd MD YY Lau said these investments will elevate Malaysia’s status as the centre of Southeast Asia and attract more multinationals to set up their global headquarters in the country.

“We’re seeing renewed optimism as the business climate improves.

“Our outlook for the remainder of the year remains generally positive on the back of improving economic indicators and the stabilisation of oil prices,” she told reporters at a media briefing in Kuala Lumpur earlier today.

In addition, Lau further elaborated that the country’s highly educated, skilled workforce and strong economic growth of 4% to 6% annually puts it ahead of more mature economies such as Australia, Japan, Singapore, Korea, Taiwan, which are all growing at 1% to 3% annually.

As such, the consulting firm noted that Malaysia’s real estate market remains positive, with the country remaining one of the prime candidates for real estate investment activity, driven by sound economic growth.

Malaysia’s economy grew by 5.7% in the first half of 2017, and is projected to grow between 5% and 5.5% in 2018, supported by private investment and consumption.