PwC’s 29th Global CEO Survey highlights that 84% of Malaysian CEOs are planning to expand beyond their traditional industry boundaries over the next three years. This marks a significant shift as 76% of Malaysian companies have already ventured into new sectors, up from 42% in 2025. However, this ambition is tempered by a decline in confidence, with only 33% of CEOs expressing high confidence in revenue growth over the next 12 months.
The survey, which gathered insights from 4,454 CEOs worldwide, identifies key concerns for Malaysian executives. Skills shortages, cyber risks, and technological disruption are the top challenges, each cited by 33% of respondents. Despite these challenges, only 24% of CEOs feel highly exposed to trade barriers, aligning with the Asia Pacific average.
AI adoption in Malaysia shows mixed results. Whilst 23% of CEOs report additional revenue from AI in the past year, only 17% have seen cost reductions, and 26% note an increase in their cost base due to AI implementation.
The full report is available on PwC’s website, offering deeper insights into the evolving strategies of Malaysian CEOs as they navigate a complex business landscape.
