Malaysia is a highly open upper-middle income economy. Malaysia was one of 13 countries identified by the Commission on Growth and Development in its2008 Growth Report to have recorded average growth of more than 7 percent per year for 25 years or more.

This site describes Malaysia’s economic performance for the previous year and presents growth forecasts.

This site provides a ranking of key economic indicators

Renowned as a stable, well-established financial hub with one of the strongest economies in Asia, Malaysia has much to offer to investors.

When you have decided to register a company in Malaysia, you will need to engage the service of a company secretary to help you to complete the company registration process. Every company (sdn bhd) must have at least one company secretary in the Board and the company secretary must be a member of a professional body or licensed by SSM Malaysia.

Guidelines for Registration of a Business

A sole proprietorship is the simplest and cheapest to set-up. Unlike private limited companies, a sole proprietorship is only required to pay an annual fee to the Companies Commission of Malaysia to keep its business renewed from year to year. There is no audit and annual filing requirement. However, the danger of this set-up is that it has unlimited liability. That is to say that if the sole proprietorship cannot meet its liabilities, the creditors may go after the owner’s personal assets. There is no protection to the owner’s personal assets. There is no separation between the owner and its personal assets. Here are some basic facts and useful information for setting up and forming a limited company (Sdn Bhd) in Malaysia.

There are three (3) different types of business entities to choose from:

The Corporate Tax Rate in Malaysia stands at 25 percent. Corporate Tax Rate in Malaysia averaged 26.84 percent from 1997 until 2015, reaching an all time high of 30 percent in 1997 and a record low of 25 percent in 2009. Corporate Tax Rate in Malaysia is reported by the Inland Revenue Board of Malays

For both resident and non-resident companies, corporate income tax (CIT) is imposed on income accruing in or derived from Malaysia. 

The Personal Income Tax Rate in Malaysia stands at 26 percent. Personal Income Tax Rate in Malaysia averaged 27 percent from 2004 until 2014, reaching an all time high of 28 percent in 2005 and a record low of 26 percent in 2010. Personal Income Tax Rate in Malaysia is reported by the Inland Revenue Board of Malaysia.

In Malaysia, regardless of citizenship, if an individual satisfies any of the four criteria described on this site then he / she is considered to be liable for income tax

The Sales Tax Rate in Malaysia stands at 6 percent. Sales Tax Rate in Malaysia averaged 8 percent from 2006 until 2015, reaching an all time high of 10 percent in 2007 and a record low of 6 percent in 2011. Sales Tax Rate in Malaysia is reported by the Inland Revenue Board of Malaysia.

To enter Malaysia, your passport must be valid for at least six months. You do not need a visa to enter Malaysia if you are coming for business or tourism for stays of 90 days or less. You also do not need a visa if traveling on an official or diplomatic passport.

To enter Malaysia, your passport must be valid for at least six months. You do not need a visa to enter Malaysia if you are coming for business or tourism for stays of 90 days or less. You also do not need a visa if traveling on an official or diplomatic passport.

Malaysia has well developed transport networks and efficient rail links. Its international ports and airports are well connected to bus and train services, making travel to, from and around the country easy and efficient.

A complete guide to public transportation

Malaysia’s telecommunications network is more advanced than any other in South-east Asia with the exception of Singapore.

The changing landscape of the Malaysian telecom market has over time witnessed the restructuring of all the main players.

To be entitled to unemployment compensation, an expat has to be a Mykad holder. In Malaysia, the department of employment makes it the responsibility of the employer to ensure their employees are signed up to the system 

A Q&A guide to employment and employee benefits law in Malaysia.

 Regulation of Employment is part of the Malaysia Labour Law which also consists of Salary Act and Statutory Holiday.

The Work Injury Compensation Act (WICA) lets employees make claims for work-related injuries or diseases, without having to take legal action

Cost of living information includes price indices for rent, food, utilities, transportation, restaurants, clothing and more

The cost of living in Malaysia is relatively low compared to neighbouring countries such as Singapore. The main discrepancy in prices is evident when buying cigarettes, alcohol or luxury items, as Malaysia places a higher sales tax on these items.

The dos and don’ts of business etiquette in Malaysia

The ethnic groups in Malaysia have retained their way of life, customs and religions that it is important to consider the ethnicity of your business associates when dealing with them.  

The main variable of Malaysia’s climate is not temperature or air pressure, but rainfall. In general, the climate of Malaysia can be described as typical tropical climate, with the coastal plains averaging 28°C, the inland and mountain areas averaging 26°C, and the higher mountain regions, 23°C. The area’s relative humidity is quite high, and ranges between 70 and 90 percent.

A listing of bank, federal and common local holidays

Your accurate source of Malaysia’s 2015 and 2016 public holidays viewable as a full national list, by state, and by individual holiday

Demographic information includes population, quality of life, health, sports, technology, energy and the environment

This site provides some figures on Malaysia’s demographic makeup.

Malaysia weather benefits from a tropical climate with high temperatures and high humidty throughout the year. Daytime temperatures rise above 30°C (86°F) year-round and night-time temperatures rarely drop below 20°C (68°F).

US Department of State – Go to Safety and Security for updates from the Swedish government

There is a high risk to your security in coastal areas of eastern Sabah (from Kudat to Tawau, including Sandakan, Lahad Datu, Kunak and Semporna, including the offshore islands and dive sites) due to the risk of kidnapping and we advise against all tourist and other non-essential travel to these areas. 

Education in Malaysia is of a high standard and expat parents should not struggle to find a school for their child.  Admission into schools may vary depending on the type of school. Generally, schools in Malaysia can be classified into three categories: public schools, private schools and international schools.

Malaysia is one of Asia’s top education destinations. The Malaysian government provides free education on primary and secondary level

Malaysia ‘s trade policy is to pursue efforts towards creating a more liberalized and fair international trade environment

Import and export regulations from Malaysian customs

Malaysia Trade Barriers, Regulations, and Standards

International trade is an important contributor to Malaysia ‘s economic growth and development. Malaysia ‘s trade policy is to pursue efforts towards creating a more liberalizing and fair global trading environment. While Malaysia continues to accord high priority to the rule-based multilateral trading system under the World Trade Organisation (WTO), Malaysia is also pursuing regional and bilateral trading arrangements to complement the multilateral approach to trade liberalisation.  

All types of accommodation are present in Malaysia, from large, stand-alone houses (bungalows), to semi-detached and terraced houses, to apartments and condominiums. 

Malaysia’s accommodation possibilities range from rock-bottom flophouses to luxurious five-star resorts.

Malaysia is like two countries in one, cleaved in half by the South China Sea. The multicultural peninsula flaunts Malay, Chinese and Indian influences

Expert Malaysia travel guide including detailed information about everything you need to know about Malaysia.