The economic center of the world is gradually shifting to East Asia. After the rise of countries such as Singapore, South Korea and Japan, other countries are beginning to gain strength, where the population is becoming more affluent and more actively investing in various purchases and leisure activities. One of these countries is Malaysia, a country that is partly located on the mainland and partly on islands. Today we will talk about its potential and attractiveness for investors.
Malaysia has a unique geographical location: one part of the country occupies the end of the Asian continent, bordering Thailand and Singapore, and the other is located on the island of Borneo, in the neighborhood of Brunei and Indonesia.
The country is an important link in global trade, thanks to which Malaysia actively participates in global business processes and receives significant benefits. The tourism industry and commerce are booming, attracting both large international companies and specialized businesses that do not overlook this market.
Many people are used to associating East Asia with a poor population engaged mainly in rice cultivation. Malaysia has a really strong agricultural sector: the country exports rubber, palm products (including palm oil), fruits, timber, and other goods. The proximity to the coast contributes to good fish and seafood catch, and also attracts tourists who come to Malaysia not only to see the developed Kuala Lumpur, but also to enjoy the sunny beaches.
Malaysia also has a strong industrial base, producing microelectronics and household appliances. Steel production is well-developed, the country has its own car brand, Proton, and is the third largest producer of liquefied natural gas in the world. Malaysia is also a leader in Islamic banking, ahead of the UAE and Saudi Arabia, and Kuala Lumpur is one of Asia’s largest financial centers. A natural question arises – how do people live in this country and what can be said about them?
Malaysia is home to 33 million people whose incomes vary depending on the field of activity. For example, drivers and couriers can receive only a few hundred dollars a month, while specialists in the IT and fintech sectors start earning from $1,000 and above. The shadow economy in the country also has a significant impact, so it is difficult to determine the exact average salary. However, experts estimate it at about $800, which is quite an acceptable figure for a region with neighbors such as Bangladesh and Myanmar.
The average Malaysian is a Muslim with moderate religious beliefs who leads a traditional patriarchal lifestyle. Malaysia’s society is developing dynamically, and economic changes often outpace cultural norms. Although Malaysians do not aspire to European standards, their culture remains deeply Asian, with an emphasis on collectivism, respect for work as the basis for prosperity, and respect for elders.
The official language in the country is Malay, which is spoken by the majority of the population. However, as in many former colonies, English is also widely used in Malaysia, especially in the business environment and among people involved in international relations. Thus, using English to communicate in Malaysia is not a bad idea, but localization is still an important aspect, as not all residents of the country speak English.
About 85% of Malaysians are constantly accessing the Internet. It is not difficult to find Wi-Fi in the city or buy a local SIM card, but it is worth noting that the speed of the Internet in the country leaves much to be desired. Therefore, when it comes to creative formats, it is better to avoid video content.
Most of the traffic, namely 55%, comes from mobile devices, 40% from desktop computers, and the remaining 5% comes from tablets. The share of mobile traffic is steadily increasing, although it remains relatively low compared to other Asian countries, where this figure often exceeds 60%.
In Malaysia, guts and drugs are our everything. In a country where medical care has not yet reached a sufficient level to be accessible to everyone, and where local women are striving for beauty, there is a huge demand for health and care products. The tropical climate creates ideal conditions for the sale of anti-parasite products, and the limited access to education hints that “miracle pills” for all ailments will be successful here. Care cosmetics, weight loss products, and other universal products suitable for any market are also popular.
Men show a significant interest in male enhancement drugs (but this is true almost everywhere). The cost of a Tier-3 bid is very acceptable, and both products for increasing and prolonging sexual intercourse are in demand.
Land-based casinos are allowed in the country and attract thousands of tourists, mostly from China. Although the attitude to iGaming is stricter, illegal operators feel comfortable, and the growth of revenues leads to an increase in spending on entertainment. In Malaysia, you can promote casinos not only as a way to spend time but also as a method of making quick money – the choice of strategy is up to you. As for betting, football confidently occupies a leading position here, and motorcycle racing, tennis, badminton, and horse racing are also popular.
Malaysia is dominated by the Islamic religion, which imposes many restrictions. It is strictly discouraged to raise questions of faith or make even indirect allusions to it. The state also requires a respectful attitude, as residents value their authority and show respect for it. The patriarchal traditions of society can be used to your advantage: in the traditional view, a man should be strong in all respects, and a woman should be attractive. However, it is important not to go too far, so as not to cause negative reactions from the audience.
Malaysians like creative solutions that clearly identify problems and offer concrete solutions. The before/after image works well for a variety of niches, especially weight loss products. References to authoritative figures are effective both in medical topics (images of doctors) and in promotion with the participation of celebrities. However, it is important to avoid mentioning religious and government figures.
Although Islam prohibits any kind of gambling, offshore casinos remain popular here. The best way to choose a promotion method is to test it, but it is worth considering that many Malaysians do not have significant wealth and are looking for easy ways to earn money. This is especially true when promoting sports betting.
Malaysia is a young, dynamically developing Asian GEO that offers great prospects for arbitrage. Residents of this country have their own specific characteristics, which requires adapting approaches to popular offers and verticals, taking into account the above points. Overall, this region is a great destination to work in, offering high rates and above-average conversion rates.