Business trip to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Kuala Lumpur originated as a place where poor tin miners first crowded around the mosquito-ridden banks of the slimy Gombak & Klang rivers in 1857, little could they have imagined that within a century, the city would transform itself into one of Asia’s most vibrant and compelling cities. KL has grown with bewildering speed after independence and particularly in the late 1980s and early 1990s, as the ’Asian Tiger’ economy propelled an ever-changing skyline.
The city’s economy is largely dominated by the hotel industry with many 4-5 star hotels having professional, sophisticated and modern conference and incentive facilities. Local hoteliers along with multinationals have realized the growing market for this business and serious attempts are being made to expand the sector as a core business rather than just an add-on product for slow seasons.
Read more...Running hand in hand is the trade show and exhibition industry of the city which is run by world class event venues like Putra World Trade Center and Kuala Lumpur Convention Center. KL hosts hundreds of regional and international expo like MALBEX IPMEX and Securitex & Fire, captivating thousands of visitors to the city.
The tourism and hi-tech industries have also come to the fore over the past decade and has become a key focus of the economy, with the continuing emergence of the Cyberjaya area. A government appointed Multimedia Development Corporation project named Multimedia Super Corridor (MSC) has been developing continuously after years of delay. Its ambitious goals are to attract the world’s leading multimedia organizations.
For more in-depth information I suggest you buy and read the "Global Business Etiquettes" book.
- Communication:
Use formal names, professional and academic titles.
Malaysians retain strong hierarchical relationships. The elderly are always treated with the utmost respect and courtesy.
Malaysians are not direct, they prefer subtlety to directness. The word "no" is hardly ever used.
Non-verbal messages are highly valued in communication.
Never interrupt somebody.
Dress formal and conservative.
Malaysians mostly have a Chinese, Malyan or Indian cultural background. Try to find out the cultural background of your host in advance.
- Meetings and negotiations:
When making appointments use the 24-hour clock time format to avoid misunderstandings.
Be very punctual, if you suspect you will late, call and explain the situation.
Never cancel a meeting at the last minute.
Employees in multi-national companies may have adopted the western concept of shaking hands with everyone, however be carefull with shaking hands with a woman, choose to bow your head to be safe unless a hand is offered by the woman.
Remain standing until invited to sit down or others do so.
Some time is spent to getting to know you before the business conversation begins.
Agenda’s are strictly followed.
Keep your presentation as short as possible, to the point, accurate and precise, do not exaggerate.
Follow up a meeting with a letter or an e-mail with all agreements outlined. - Table manners:
If unsure on how to behave, mimic the behavior of others.
Wait until you are appointed a seat.
Avoid alcohol if possible, otherwise drink little. Malyans are muslim.
Put a napkin on your lap, eat not too much but finish your plate.
Keep your hands above the table when eating.
After finishing your plate lay your knife and fork parallel on your plate with the handles to the right.
Thank your host at the end of the meal.
Since it became independent, Malaysia’s economic record has been one of Asia’s best. Real gross domestic product (GDP) grew by an average of 6,5% per year from 1957 to 2005. Performance peaked in the early 1980s through the mid-1990s, as the economy experienced sustained rapid growth averaging almost 8 percent per year. High levels of foreign and domestic investment played an important role as the economy diversified and modernized.
In the past the country was heavily dependent on primary products such as rubber and tin, but today Malaysia is a middle-income country with a multi-sector economy based on services and manufacturing. Malaysia is one of the world’s largest exporters of semiconductor devices, electrical goods, and information and communication technology (ICT) products.
The government continues to actively manage the economy. Malaysia’s New Economic Policy, first established in 1971, was a 10-year plan that sought to rectify a situation whereby ethnic Malays and indigenous peoples (“bumiputera”), who comprised almost 60 percent of the population, held less than 3% of the nation’s wealth. Policy makers implemented a complex network of racial preferences intended to promote the acquisition of economic assets by bumiputera. In 1981 when the racial preferences were set to expire, the government extended the this New Economic Policy for another 10 years, stating that its goals had not been achieved. The policies again were extended in 1991 and in 2001. The Malaysian Government plans to release a new economic model in 2010 which will modify and in some cases eliminate the policy measures in an effort to stimulate higher levels of investment and GDP growth over the next decade.
The Malaysian economy went into sharp recession in 1997/1998 during the Asian financial crisis, which affected countries throughout the region, including South Korea, Indonesia, and Thailand. Malaysia’s GDP decreased over 7% in 1998. Malaysia narrowly avoided a return to recession in 2001 when its economy was negatively impacted by the bursting of the dot-com bubble, which hurt the ICT sector, and slow growth or recession in many of its important export markets. The global financial crisis threw Malaysia into recession again in 2009. Economists expect Malaysia to return to a positive growth path in 2010.
In July 2005, the government removed the 7-year-old peg linking the ringgit’s value to the U.S. dollar at an exchange rate of RM 3.8/U.S. $1.0. The dollar peg was replaced by a managed float against an undisclosed basket of currencies. The new exchange rate policy was designed to keep the ringgit more broadly stable and to avoid uncertain currency swings which could harm exports.
The Malaysian financial system exhibited noteworthy resilience to the 2008 global financial crisis. Malaysian banks are well capitalized and the central bank maintains a conservative regulatory environment, having prohibited some of the riskier assets in vogue elsewhere. However, decreasing abroad is taking a toll on Malaysian exports, resulting in negative GDP growth for 2009 with recovery expected in 2010.
  | Product tip: Keep an eye on the size of your trolley Many luggage stores sell suitcases described as ’carry-on’, but these suitcases are sometimes larger than the size most airlines will accept. The safe maximum size is 114 cm, in the form of a 55 x 40 x 20 cm bag. Some airlines allow up to as much as 140 cm, but most do not. Not only do luggage stores and manufacturers seldom tell you if their bag is legally sized or not, but they also frequently mis-measure their bag. Their measurements generally are for the inside of the main compartment, and assume that any external pockets are of zero thickness, rather than stuffed full of things (which can easily add another inch or more) and ignore any external framing such as wheels and carry handle (which can also add another couple of inches). |
Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) is one of Asia’s major aviation hubs and is a destination in itself. It is located at the top of the southern corridor of Peninsular Malaysia, bordering the states of Selangor and Negeri Sembilan. It is situated in the Sepang district, approximately 50 km from the capital city, Kuala Lumpur.
Address
Kuala Lumpur International Airport
4th Floor Airport Management Centre
KL International Airport
64000 KLIA
Selangor, MALAYSIA.
Tel: +603-8776 2000
www.klia.com.my
Airport codes
IATA airport code: KUL
ICAO airport code: WMKK
Lost property
If you happen to lose an item at the airport, you should firstly contact the relevant airline you are/were travelling with. It is strongly recommended that all travellers take up an appropriate travel insurance to cover any such losses that can occur as part of their journey.
If you have an enquiry about a lost or found item, here’s what you can do:
a) Items Lost at Airport Terminal
You must proceed to the nearest information counter and the personnel on duty will assist you further.
b) Items Lost in Aircraft and Missing Checked-In Baggage
You can contact the ground handler of the airline for assistance.
Terminal info
The Aerotrain is a complimentary service that shuttles passengers between the Main Terminal Building and the Satellite Building. The 143.404 sq. metre Satellite Building accommodates international flights departing and arriving at KLIA and features a wide array of duty-free shops and prestige brand boutiques for your shopping pleasure.
This three car, 250 passenger capacity train, is able to transport 3.000 passengers per hour, per direction, with a maximum speed of 56 km/h (35mp/h).
Keep the following tips in mind if you need to order a taxi during your business trip to Kuala Lumpur.
While all taxis are supposed to use the meter, when demand exceeds supply or during rush hour, they may ask for a fixed price before commencing travel, which is usually 2-3 times the price when using the meter. This is technically illegal (and reportable), and happens most often with cabbies who lurk outside hotels, stations and major malls, waiting for unwary tourists to come along. Hail cabs off the street if you can, but if you must, at least negotiate hard: RM5 should cover most cross town trips of 15 minutes or so, even with traffic. If you’re staying in an expensive hotel, give a nearby shopping mall as your destination instead. Generally speaking, Malay taxi drivers will be more willing to use the meter than Chinese and Indian ones.
It is cheaper to use the meter through the day, although the opposite is true late at night, and especially after midnight, when the displayed meter price at the end of the journey is increased by 50% (ie. at 1AM, if the meter shows RM12, then you have to pay RM12+6).
A few popular places (notably the airport, KL Sentral and Menara KL) enforce prepaid coupon systems, which generally work out more expensive than using the meter, but cheaper than bargaining.
| Company name | Phone number |
| ES Cab | 6017 354 7725 |
| Executive Blue Taxi | +6017 2757188 |
| Comfort Cabs | (03) 62531313 |
| Outstation Taxi | (03) 20783525 |
| Teksi Gembira | 017-7689773 |
7atenine
7atenine’s gastronomic direction of cosmopolitan cuisine is inspired by the desire to constantly learn and improve. regular forays to the markets ensure freshness of ingredients that forms the base of great cuisine. a sense of experimentation & exploration produces innovative cuisine that is the hallmark of 7atenine.
Ascott Kuala Lumpur
no. 9, jalan pinang
50450 kuala lumpur, malaysia
Phone: 603 2161 7789
www.sevenatenine.com
Bijou
Bijou debuts as the newest trendy restaurant to hit the Kuala Lumpur dining scene. Experience honest comfort food in an unpretentiously stylish setting. If you are on a business trip to Kuala Lumpur, this is a great restaurant for entertaining your hosts.
Ground floor, damai sari
Mont Kiara Damai
3 Jalan Kiara 2, Mont Kiara
50480 Kuala Lumpur
Tel: 03 6201 2131
www.bijou.com.my
Bon Ton Restaurant
Locally renowned Bon Ton Restaurant finally introduced another inimitable dining experience....in a resort "home" in te heart of the city. This Bon Ton new home: with the same charmingly chaotic blend of Old & New, East & West also introduces some new exciting features!
Lot 10 Shopping Centre
R1&R2 Lower Ground Floor
Jalan Sultan Ismail,
50250 Kuala Lumpur.
Tel: +603.-2142.2287
www.bontonkl.com
Tips to save money on hotel costs during your business trip to Kuala Lumpur.
To get the best price for a good hotel room during your business trip to Kuala Lumpur it's not only important to compare the prices the hotel charges for a room, but also compare the prices of the different booking agencies.
This can save you, or your company, a lot of money!
- Go to this hotel listing for Kuala Lumpur.
- Select the "Check-in" and "Check-out" date.
- Select filters like: "Hotel brand", "Ratings", "Location" and "Price ranges".
- Select the hotel you like.
- You will get an overview of the prices from up to 24 booking sites
- Select the best offer in the list and book the room!
We have selected the following established business hotels for your convenience:
Dorsett Regency Hotel Kuala Lumpur
The Dorsett Regency Hotel Kuala Lumpur is a good hotel in Kuala Lumpur for a leisure or a business traveler. It is in the very heart of the city’s Golden Triangle neighborhood, which places it at the very beginning of the Bukit Bintang trail of shops and restaurants. It is within easy walking distance of the Petronas Twin Towers, Capital Square and the KLCC Park too.
172 Jalan Imbi
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
More info about Dorsett Regency Hotel Kuala Lumpur
Impiana Klcc Hotel And Spa Kuala Lumpur
This hotel is the perfect base for business travelers. In the heart of the city’s busiest shopping, dining and business areas is the Impiana Klcc Hotel And Spa Kuala Lumpur. It is only steps from the Parliament House, Chinatown, the Chow Kit market and such attractions as the Tugu Negara monument, the Dataran Merdeka square and the Masjid Negara mosque.
13 Jalan Pinang
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
More info about Impiana Klcc Hotel And Spa Kuala Lumpur
Prince Hotel And Residence Kuala Lumpur
Centrally placed within the famous Golden Triangle area of the city, the Prince Hotel And Residence Kuala Lumpur puts guests in close proximity to shopping, entertainment and dining, but also within easy reach of the major business and commercial areas too. This makes it a good accommodation in Kuala Lumpur for any traveler wishing to experience the city’s offerings.
No 4 Jalan Conlay
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
More info about Prince Hotel And Residence Kuala Lumpur
Central Market collectables
One of the first things you might do is to pop into Central Market, on Jalan Hang Kasturi, to pick up a host of local handicraft and other quirky souvenirs. It’s little wonder that this art deco market is top on every traveller’s list. It offers a genuinely local feel and, most importantly, friendly prices. Once inside, you’ll excuse the pink and blue exterior, and enjoy ambling past painters, sculptors, fortune-tellers and traders who have made their home in this former wet market – the interior now renovated into spanking new modernity. My pick is the Collectables Centre, cluttered with every imaginable collectable from old Craven cigarette tin boxes, charcoal irons and oil lamps to century-old Nyonya tea sets and hairpins. If you’re persuasive enough, the owner might just part with original prints of Sun Yat Sen and old family portraits, for the right price of course. Next stop, Songket & Sutera Asli, for beautiful songket (richly woven silk) fabric from the East Coast. Prices begin at RM75 (€20) and then climb indefinitely depending on workmanship.
Be sure to also visit the House of Silver to take home, a Kelantanese tea set, antique silverware, jewellery or the Malay keris. A stop at Rhino Art & Design provides fashionistas with a wild range of hand-painted clogs – from the conventional to edgy wooden pumps. Check out the Ricecooker Shop which surprisingly dabbles in printing and design services but it’s their collection of indie music that will entice the serious music lover.
For kites of every shape and size (the wau bulan being most popular) stop by Wau Tradisi. Prices here range from RM198 to RM500. Nearby, Game Corner sells traditional game tools such as congkak and gasing (spinning top). Batik is wall-to-wall throughout the market. Pop into Ilham Batik for their hand-drawn batik. Before heading off, rummage through the pottery, pewter, wayang kulit (shadow puppets), traditional costumes and local snacks or have your portrait painted. Don’t miss Success Portrait for on-the-spot portraits done in pencil, acrylic or oil; Architecture Designer for art works depicting the city’s historical buildings; and WK Clock House for a variety of antique clocks.
The glorious NY Music stocks traditional music instruments like the kompang, gendang, gong and gamelan. The joy of retail therapy at Central Market is, indeed, a well-rounded affair – hunt for all your computer software, accessories and video games at Aware Enterpris. Master Chin, the resident fortuneteller might offer some tips on paying for all that stuff clattering about in your suitcase-on-wheels. Stop to refuel at Precious Old China, an antique and art gallery doubling as a restaurant and bar serving authentic Nyonya cuisine.
Much loved Annexe Gallery, right behind the Central Market, is the hippest space for the arts with exciting exhibitions, performances and workshops featuring young, local and regional artists. The gallery plays host to Art For Grabs, an event jam-packed with workshops and talks. The real attraction is the arts and craft bazaar, billed as the city’s best venue to purchase original art at wholesale prices (pieces go for RM100 or less).
Almost hidden, upstairs at 145 Jalan Tun HS Lee, casually strewn home furnishings, art, fabric, batik clothes and curios, is the Peter Hoe craft shop. Expect linen outfits, silver jewellery, lampshades, silk cushions, pillows and a café. Peter has been operating for over 18 years, and this store in Lee Rubber Building was reputedly the headquarters of the Japanese secret police during the second world war.
Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Shah Mosque
This mosque is one of the largest mosques in South-east Asia. The impressive building is often referred to as the blue mosque. It is enormous and magnificent, with an huge, dark blue dome and four minarets standing at 150 meters. Decorative Islamic calligraphy enhances the dome and main prayer hall, while the overall architecture integrates the most beautiful ethnic Malay design elements. The mosque is set at the side of a small lake which creates a particularly serene setting, especially at sunset. Visitors should dress according to the Islamic dress code. Suitable attire is provided at the main entrance.
Petronas Twin Towers
The Petronas Twin Towers, are a pair of 88-story buildings, with a dizzying height of nearly 457 meters, are the world’s tallest twin towers. Apart from offices, these impressive towers also house a magnificent concert hall, the Petronas Philharmonic Hall, home of the Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra, as well as shopping arcades, restaurants, and a science museum. The designs on the towers are based on geometric patterns common in Islamic architecture. Special features of the towers include the double-deck sky-bridge between the 41st and 42nd floors and double-decker elevators. Admission is free, however tickets are limited and issued daily on a first-come-first-served basis.
Butterfly Park
When you are on a business trip to Kuala Lumpur and want to get away from the city, the best place to go is the Kuala Lumpur Butterfly Park, just a stone’s throw from the Kuala Lumpur Bird Park. The Butterfly Park houses more than 6.000 butterflies from 120 exotic species. The park is an imitation of the butterfly’s natural habitat. It includes more than 15.000 plants from 100 species that has been painstakingly landscaped to resemble a Malaysian rainforest atmosphere. Contributing to the Butterfly Park’s beautiful landscape is a uniquely designed hydro-pond built with a limestone path right in the centre. Surrounding this hydro-pond is a gazebo, commanding a breathtaking view.
There is a nursery and breeding area for the butterflies. The park includes both preserved and live specimens, totaling 1,230 species in all. Facilities include an informative insect museum. There is also a souvenir shop near the exit selling lots of local handicrafts and framed butterflies and beetles. You can enjoy a glimpse of butterflies at this unique park!
Open: 9am - 6pm (Daily)
Admission: RM5 (Adults), RM1 (Children)
Make sure your health care insurance is sufficiently covered.
Maybe this is already covered in your regular health care insurance but often you will need to cover this with the travel insurance. Also a good travel insurance should cover the costs of travel for a relative in case of seriously illness or an accident.
The business trip travel insurance should also cover the costs of search, rescue and repatriation.
When you go on business trips on a regular basis, the easiest way to get insured is with an annual multi-trip insurance.
Keep in mind that you can also use this insurance for your pleasure trips so don`t forget to include to insure your leisure activities.
For all emergencies you can call 999. The worldwide emergency number for GSM mobile phones, 112 are redirected to the 999 call centre.
In case of a medical emergency you can contact the Damai Service Hospital:
No 109-119 1st Mile Jalan Ipoh
51200 Kuala Lumpur
Phone: 603 4043 5399
Emergency phone number: 603 4043 4900
Malay is a broadly spread language, of the Austronesian family, and the official language of Malaysia, Brunei, and Indonesia. It is one of four official languages of Singapore and a working language of East Timor, a consequence of over twenty years of Indonesian administration. It is spoken natively by 42 million people across the Malacca Strait, including the coasts of the Malay Peninsula of Malaysia and southern Thailand, Riau province, the eastern coast of Sumatra, and the Riau Islands in Indonesia, as has been established as a native language of Jakarta and of part of western coastal Sarawak and Kalimantan in Borneo. As a second language, it is spoken by an estimated 150 million, mostly knows as "Indonesian".
Although in business people speak English, some Malay phrases can always come in hand....
| Welcome | Selamat datang |
| Hello | Assallamaleicum |
| Good morning | Selamat pagi |
| Good afternoon | Selamat tenga hari(12-2pm) |
| Good evening | Selamat petang(2-7pm) |
| Good night | Selamat malam(>7pm) |
| How are you? | Apa khabar? |
| I’m fine, thanks. And you? | Khabar baik, terima kasih. Awak pula bagaimana? |
| What’s your name? | Siapa nama anda? |
| My name is ... | Nama saya ... |
| Pleased to meet you | Selamat berkenalan |
| Goodbye | Selamat tinggal (you’re leaving) |
| Goodbye | Selamat jalan (you’re staying) |
| Bon appetit | Selamat menjamu selera! |
| Where’s the toilet? | Di mana tandas? |
| I don’t understand | Saya tidak faham |
| Please write that down | Tolong tuliskan perkataan ini |
| How do you say ... in Malay? | Bagaimana anda cakap .... dalam bahasa Melayu? |
| How much is this? | Berapa harganya ini? |
| Thank you | Terima kasih |
| You’re welcome | Sama-sama |
| Yes / No | Ya / Tidak |
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