Why are Malaysian art not doing that well

I was at the Art Expo that is currently being held at Martrade. This year's exhibition is, I think, smaller, but maybe better works are displayed?

While I was at the exhibition, I spoke with some foreign galleries and our discussion touched on the prices of paintings.

I asked if this foreign gallery represent any malaysian artist and was told that they do not. When asked why, the response is, "Malaysian artists tend to sell their works directly to buyers/collectors". When I asked further, it seems that foreign collectors/investors shun a market where the price of paintings can be vary depending on where it is acquired. As such, there is no stability in price, and therefore not worth investing.

I know for a fact that some artists sell to buyers/collectors at a price that is lower than the price given to a gallery. Is it bad or bad. Of course bad for the artist (who will have to produce tons of work - low price, but lots in circulation) and for the market.

Looking across the causway to the south, every time they have an art expo, millions and millions of dollars of sale was concluded. Malaysia expo? Malaysia newspaper reported that the sale was just short of RM5 million?