Mapping Malaysia's Resource Centres

19 MAPPING MALAYSIA’S RESOURCE CENTRES To that point, it has also risen in significance making Malaysia the world’s largest Islamic banking and financial centre. As clearly reflected in the national budget, the government of Malaysia is intent in driving growth in digital content, e-commerce, fintech platforms and 5G Technology through various allocations and upskilling programmes. With a developed and sturdy infrastructure, Malaysia is equipped with international airports, over 500 industrial parks, a railway system and comprehensive road network. Commuter rail and rapid transport facilities offer affordable and convenient transportation within cities with feeder buses which provide comprehensive connectivity between residential, financial and trade districts. Its two seaports, located at Klang and Tanjung Pelepas are recognised as one of the top 20 busiest ports in the world. As themelting pot of variousAsian cultures and heritage, Malaysia boasts of being truly Asian in essence. With a population that’s generally conversant in the national language, Bahasa Malaysia, and English, it offers a welcoming common ground to foreign visitors by way of getting around and dealing with the locals. With a vast array of accommodation choices from tranquil homestays to opulent 6-star hotels, visitors to Malaysia are drawn from budget, lavish and thrill-seeking travellers as well as a thriving business community. In recent years, Malaysia has also made noteworthy presence in the World Halal sector. Having placed various programmes and policies with aim to grow the industry, Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE) together with Halal Industry Development Corporation (HDC) and Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (JAKIM) have made headway in leading the call for a comprehensive, sustainable and recognised Halal industry. Among many such parallel drives is the overarching objective of MATRADE’s involvement with Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) through its Reverse Linkage Programme. In promoting the experience, knowledge and technical advances of local stakeholders to various member nations of IsDB, Malaysia aspires to promote international trade relations through mutually rewarding collaboration, both long and short term. The country’s commitment to elevate cross-border prosperity and engage overall development of world nations through better living conditions and infrastructure development is clearly evident with the numerous projects it has undertaken in recent years. In account of that, Malaysia will continue to maintain an open and welcoming stance in carrying out its foreign and trade activities.