Export Capabilities of Malaysian Housing Developers in the Context of

EXPORT CAPABILITIES OF MALAYSIAN HOUSING DEVELOPERS IN THE CONTEXT OF GLOBALISATION AND LIBERALISATION

Project Leader: Abdul Rashid Abdul Aziz

Professor

Universiti Sains Malaysia

Ahmed Usman Awil

Head of Market Research

Strategy and Feasibility Division

Iskandar Investment Bhd

Ho Shiew Yi

Senior Executive

Alliance Financial Group

ABSTRACT

Globally, the housing sector is now characterised by cross-border operations of operators. Perhaps for the first time, a study was conducted to examine the internationalisation of housing developers from Malaysia. Its purpose was to determine the export capabilities of Malaysian housing developers and to investigate and understand those significant factors that enable them to be competitive internationally. Data was collected from internationally-experienced Malaysian housing developers through postal questionnaire survey, interviews and secondary data.

The findings show that these housing developers were aided in their overseas foray by ownership advantages generated from within their organisations as well as that bestowed by Malaysia as a home country. They also point to the critical role of the decision-makers. These housing developers adopted various ways to enter and service foreign countries, some of which were developing, others developed. For long-term presence, the study recommends that the Malaysian housing developers cater, not only to high-end house buyers, but also to the housing needs of the entire populace. There are ways in which the Malaysian government can assist in facilitating Malaysian housing developers in their expansion overseas. However, even if the government were to give total assistance, the study projects that it is unlikely to lead to sudden surge in the export drive of Malaysian housing developers.