Promotional efforts to attract foreign direct investment (FDI) have become the focal point of competition among developed and developing countries (The World Bank Group 2005). Several trends are reinforcing traditional impulses for foreign direct investment, such as access to natural resources, markets, and low-cost labor.
Malaysia has been often dubbed the 'lucky country' because of its rich mineral resources, including natural rubber, cocoa, crude oil and natural gas. However, it has not rested on its laurels but has been racing over the past three decades into the 21st century (Kim Sung 2002).
The fruition of Malaysia's global competitiveness as an investment destination can be witnessed in the multinational corporations' (MNCs) relocation of their regional headquarters from Singapore or Thailand to Malaysia, such as Taiwan-based global shipping firm Evergreen Shipping that recently transferred its shipping base.
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