The Verdict

This month, readers were generally polled on their views with respect to foreign investments in Malaysia with regards to biotech. With regards to whether Malaysia has all the necessary ingredients to attract foreign biotech investors, 50% of readers believe that Malaysia is prepared while a further 18% announced their reservation, contrasted by 27% who believed that Malaysia is not prepared.

However, in respect to the attraction of Malaysia for foreign investors, readers were generally agreeable (76%) that our rich biodiversity is a main drawing factor, compared to 12% who believed that the proper legislation was a drawing factor. Other responses included infrastructure and facilities (3%), human capital (3%), cost (3%) and universities and research institutes (3%).

With regards to the schemes and programmes designed to attract foreign investors, readers generally agreed that such schemes were not attractive enough (74%) contrasted with 19% who believed that they were, and 7% whom replied maybe.

Lastly, on which discipline would generate more interest in investors, 41% believed it was Pharmaceuticals, compared to 26% which voiced agriculture and 28% in herbal and healthcare.


The Key to Attracting Foreign Biotech Investors

1. Do you think Malaysia has all the necessary ingredients to attract foreign biotech investors? Yes - 22 votes (50 %) No - 12 votes (27%) Maybe - 8 votes (18%) Don't know - 2 votes (5%) Total votes - 44

2. What is the main factor that will attract foreign biotech investors to Malaysia? Our rich biodiversity - 26 votes (76 %) Proper legislation - IPR, biosafety, plant variety act - 4 votes (12%) Infrastructure and facilities - 1 votes (3%) Human capital - 1 votes (3%) Past research and commercialization achievements - 0 votes (0%) Cost - 1 votes (3%) Active private participation - 0 votes (0%) Excellent universities and research institutes - 1 votes (3%) Total votes - 34

3. Do you think the schemes and programmes in place currently in Malaysia are good enough to attract foreign investments? Yes - 5 votes (19 %) No - 20 votes (74%) Maybe - 2 votes (7%) Don't know - 0 votes (0%) Total votes - 27

4. Which discipline would be more interested to invest in Malaysia? Agriculture - 12 votes (26 %) Pharmaceuticals - 19 votes (41%) Herbal and healthcare - 13 votes (28%) Industry and environment - 2 votes (4%) Total votes - 46

This month, readers were generally polled on their views with respect to foreign investments in Malaysia with regards to biotech. With regards to whether Malaysia has all the necessary ingredients to attract foreign biotech investors, 50% of readers believe that Malaysia is prepared while a further 18% announced their reservation, contrasted by 27% who believed that Malaysia is not prepared. However, in respect to the attraction of Malaysia for foreign investors, readers were generally agreeable (76%) that our rich biodiversity is a main drawing factor, compared to 12% who believed that the proper legislation was a drawing factor. Other responses included infrastructure and facilities (3%), human capital (3%), cost (3%) and universities and research institutes (3%). With regards to the schemes and programmes designed to attract foreign investors, readers generally agreed that such schemes were not attractive enough (74%) contrasted with 19% who believed that they were, and 7% whom replied maybe. Lastly, on which discipline would generate more interest in investors, 41% believed it was Pharmaceuticals, compared to 26% which voiced agriculture and 28% in herbal and healthcare.