Between 2008 and 2012 Malaysia's FDI stock rose by 58.8%, the same pace as its equally
important stock of direct investment abroad, and continued to be mainly directed to manufacturing
and services activities. The EU and Singapore remained the main FDI stockholders. FDI inflows
eased somewhat in 2012, reflecting the uncertain global economic outlook and the diminishing
appeal of Malaysia as a base for labour-intensive industries