IBH, UNMIK, UNTAET,
UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO

Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador
GHAZZALI Sheikh Abdul Khalid

chancery: 2401 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008

telephone: [1] (202) 328-2700

FAX: [1] (202) 483-7661

consulate(s) general: Los Angeles and New York

Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador
B. Lynn PASCOE

embassy: 376 Jalan Tun Razak, 50400 Kuala Lumpur

mailing address: P. O. Box No. 10035, 50700 Kuala Lumpur; American
Embassy Kuala Lumpur, APO AP 96535-8152

telephone: [60] (3) 2168-5000

FAX: [60] (3) 2168-4961

Flag description: 14 equal horizontal stripes of red (top)
alternating with white (bottom); there is a blue rectangle in the
upper hoist-side corner bearing a yellow crescent and a yellow
fourteen-pointed star; the crescent and the star are traditional
symbols of Islam; the design was based on the flag of the US

Malaysia Economy

Economy - overview: GDP grew at 8.6% in 2000, mainly on the strength
of double-digit export growth and continued government fiscal
stimulus. As an oil exporter, Malaysia also benefited from higher
petroleum prices. Higher export revenues allowed the country to
register a current account surplus, but foreign exchange reserves
have been declining - from a peak of $34.5 billion in April 2000 to
$29.7 billion by December - as foreign investors pulled money out of
the country. Despite this development, Kuala Lumpur is unlikely to
abandon its currency peg soon. An economic slowdown in key Western
markets, especially the United States, and lower world demand for
electronics products will slow GDP growth to 3%-6% in 2001,
according to private forecasters. Over the longer term, Malaysia's
failure to make substantial progress on key reforms of the corporate
and financial sectors clouds prospects for sustained growth and the
return of critical foreign investment.

GDP: purchasing power parity - $223.7 billion (2000 est.)

GDP - real growth rate: 8.6% (2000 est.)

GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $10,300 (2000 est.)

GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 14%

industry: 44%

services: 42% (2000)

Population below poverty line: 6.8% (1997 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%:
1.4%

highest 10%: 20.4% (1997 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices): 1.7% (2000)

Labor force: 9.6 million (2000 est