Includes how major projects are financed and gives examples where relevant. Explains activities of the multilateral development banks in and other aid-funded projects where procurement is open to U.S. bidders.
Last Published: 8/23/2019

Government initiated projects are usually funded by the Ministry of Finance. Though another ministry may implement the tender or be in charge of technical committees, the Ministry of Finance is the final decision maker in all major projects. Government procurement is one of the areas that the recently launched National Anti-Corruption Procurement (NACP) plans to reform.  This initiative was lauched by the newly elected Malaysia government with the objective to improve efficiency and transparency. 

The Islamic Development Bank (IDB) finances a few projects in Malaysia, mainly in the areas of healthcare and university expansion. Malaysia is considered to be a high or mid-income country by the IDB and a partner in providing technical expertise to other IDB member countries.

The Commercial Service maintains Commercial Liaison Offices in each of the main Multilateral Development Banks, including the Asian Development Bank and the World Bank. These institutions lend billions of dollars in developing countries on projects aimed at accelerating economic growth and social development by reducing poverty and inequality, improving health and education, and advancing infrastructure development. The Commercial Liaison Offices help American businesses learn how to get involved in bank-funded projects, and advocate on behalf of American bidders. Learn more by contacting the Commercial Liaison Offices to the Asian Development Bank (http://www.export.gov/adb/) and the World Bank (http://export.gov/worldbank).

U.S. Trade and Development Agency (USTDA)
The U.S. Trade and Development Agency helps companies create U.S. jobs through the export of U.S. goods and services for priority development projects in emerging economies.  USTDA links U.S. businesses to export opportunities by funding project preparation and partnership building activities that develop sustainable infrastructure and foster economic growth in partner countries.

USTDA facilitates U.S. business participation in the preparation and execution of infrastructure development projects.  The Agency helps build the infrastructure for trade, match U.S. expertise with overseas development needs, and facilitate business partnerships between U.S. industry and emerging markets.  These partnerships allow the Agency to target its investments toward projects that are most likely to be implemented using U.S. goods and services.

The Agency funds early-stage project preparation activities such as feasibility studies, technical assistance and pilot projects, which provide the analysis needed for projects to attract financing and reach implementation.

Additionally, USTDA creates market access for U.S. companies, connecting them with key decision-makers in emerging economies by hosting reverse trade missions, conferences, workshops, and trainings.  The Agency’s reverse trade missions bring overseas decision-makers to the United States to introduce them to the design, manufacture and operation of U.S. goods and services that can help advance their infrastructure development goals.

In the region, USTDA’s key areas of focus include supporting clean energy development and energy security, improving transportation and trade infrastructure, and deploying innovative ICT solutions. 

USTDA achieves an incredible rate of return on U.S. taxpayer dollars, generating $104 of U.S. exports for every $1 programmed.  The Agency has generated over $66 billion in U.S. exports since its inception, including over $4.9 billion new exports identified in FY 2018 alone.

USTDA’s regional office, covering all of Southeast Asia, is located at the U.S. Embassy in Bangkok, Thailand.  USTDA’s Southeast Asia staff members can be contacted either in the Washington, D.C.-area headquarters or in Bangkok.
In Thailand:

In Washington, DC:

Multilateral Development Banks
The Asia Development Bank (ADB) is not active in Malaysia, as its projects, whether public or private, must satisfy the criterion of poverty alleviation in order to qualify for ADB financing. For most purposes, Malaysia is too affluent to borrow from the ADB for Malaysia-specific projects. The only area where Malaysia could benefit from ADB assistance would be in the area of a Regional (not Malaysia-specific) Cooperation Technical Assistance program (such as an ASEAN-wide telecom network or similar regional project).

Prepared by our U.S. Embassies abroad. With its network of 108 offices across the United States and in more than 75 countries, the U.S. Commercial Service of the U.S. Department of Commerce utilizes its global presence and international marketing expertise to help U.S. companies sell their products and services worldwide. Locate the U.S. Commercial Service trade specialist in the U.S. nearest you by visiting http://export.gov/usoffices.