Wal-Mart, Metro To Set Up Shop In Malaysia
Wal-Mart and German hypermarket chain Metro AG are reportedly planning to enter the tightly controlled Malaysian retail market.

Both retailers have submitted applications to open stores in Malaysia, Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister Datuk Shafie Apdal told reporters after conducting price checks at a farm market, according to The Edge financial daily.

Shafie said the Malaysian government is vetting the applications and studying the effects they would have on local retailers. The applications were pretty much welcomed by the minister, but he stressed that Wal-Mart (nyse: WMT - news - people ) and Metro could not open new stores at their own discretion, as there were guidelines governing the country’s retail market.