6 March 2024, Petaling Jaya - The surge of expatriates’ signals Malaysia's stature as the preferred destination for multinational corporations and investors seeking growth and expansion opportunities. With its strategic location, favourable business climate, and robust infrastructure, Malaysia continues to attract foreign investment, fostering an environment conducive to business development.

The collective contributions of expatriates across various employment, investment, and consumption sectors are estimated to have contributed directly and indirectly around 4.8 percent to Malaysia's GDP equivalent to RM 75 billion in 2023. This surge reflects Malaysia's resilience and potential to emerge as a key driver of economic growth regionally. Moreover, the arrival of expatriates with investment together with experience and skilled expatriate is anticipated to catalyse the creation of over 120,000 local jobs, effectively addressing skills gaps and stimulating employment opportunities across several High Growth High Value (HGHV) sectors.

Companies leveraging the streamlined expatriate application and approval processes via the Xpats Gateway stand to reap substantial benefits. The Xpats Gateway serves as a centralised platform, facilitating efficient submission and tracking of expatriate applications, thus reducing administrative burdens and enhancing operational efficiency. Notably, the Xpats Gateway has demonstrated remarkable efficiency, processing fast-tracked applications within 5 days and normal track applications within 15 days. This expedited process ensures the timely deployment of expatriate talent, enabling companies to meet their business objectives promptly and effectively.

While promoting ease of doing business, the Malaysian government remains steadfast in ensuring the integrity and security of expatriate affairs. Rigorous inspection and monitoring mechanisms are in place to safeguard national interests, maintain regulatory compliance, without compromising security and integrity. Continuous monitoring and inspection of expatriates are conducted to ensure adherence to regulatory requirements, fostering investor confidence in Malaysia's business environment and facilitating the seamless integration of expatriate talent into the economy.

According to Zahid Ismail, Director General, Malaysia Productivity Corporation (MPC), "The anticipated arrival of expatriates in Malaysia underscores our dedication to driving productivity and economic growth through international collaboration and talent exchange. Malaysia offers a conducive environment for foreign investment, innovation, and business development, and we are poised to leverage the contributions of expatriates to further propel our nation towards sustained prosperity".

As Malaysia charts its path towards economic resilience and recovery, the contributions of expatriates play a crucial role in driving productivity, innovation, and economic growth. The anticipated economic transformation reaffirms Malaysia's position as a dynamic and competitive player in the global market, offering unparalleled opportunities for foreign investment and collaboration.

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About Malaysia Productivity Corporation (MPC)

MPC is a statutory body under the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry (MITI). It drives national productivity holistically at the national, sectoral, and enterprise levels through three main thrusts: developing future talent, driving digitization and innovation, and building a robust ecosystem. It collaborates strategically with the private and public sectors by emphasising productivity as a key agenda to boost productivity growth and national competitiveness, ultimately leading to shared well-being and prosperity.

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