Malaysia is not the new Vietnam or India. In terms of economic growth, the IMF forecasts growth of 4.0% for 2026, compared with 6.5% for Vietnam, for example. But it offers a reassuring mix, and it is on this point that the country deserves special attention: relatively stable institutions, a strong export-oriented industrial base (electronics, high-quality manufacturing), low inflation (1-2% in 2025), a relatively well-managed currency, and rising average purchasing power. In this respect, Malaysia ranks above most of the major emerging countries in the region, such as Indonesia, Vietnam, and the Philippines, with a GDP per capita of $43,000 in PPP (purchasing power parity). Luxury brands have been taking a keen interest in the country for some time, with Dior presenting its latest fine jewelry collection there.

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Kashif Ansari, co-founder of Juwai IQI

Expected growth (CAGR) of the jewelry market in Malaysia by 2030

Source: Mordor Intelligence 

• Strong economic growth: GDP growth forecast between 4.8% and 5.5% by 2026, supported by domestic demand and exports.
• Successful economic diversification: transition from a commodity-based economy to a more diversified industrial and service base, with a strong position in technology and value-added services.
• Institutional and geopolitical stability: prudent macroeconomic governance and strategic geographic position at the heart of ASEAN, reinforcing its role as a global logistics and trade hub.

Langkawi, the destination that appeals to luxury

The Langkawi archipelago, comprising around a hundred islands northwest of Malaysia, embodies the sophistication of tomorrow's Asia. In contrast to the excesses of Dubai and Singapore, Langkawi is increasingly attracting luxury brands such as Dior, which chose it as the setting for the launch of the second chapter of its Diorexquis fine jewelry collection. These 500-million-year-old islands are classified as a UNESCO Global Geopark, an asset that appeals to many, added to new strict legislation (July 2025) against the mass importation of plastic waste into Malaysia.