Malaysia will begin a recruitment drive next month in a bid to attract more skilled expatriates to work in the country.
An expatriate services division will be established in March under the immigration department to help facilitate the arrival of skilled foreign workers and their families.
Ten-year visas are reported to be on offer to expats in the business services, oil and gas, finance, and education industries.
“The launch of the division reflects the shift towards a more open and proactive approach in immigration towards top foreign talent,” Talent Corporation Malaysia chief executive officer Johan Mahmood Merican told the Malay Mail.
Mr Johan added that the new division underlines the Malaysian government’s recognition of the valuable role of skilled expats.
The division’s remit is also to raise awareness overseas about opportunities to invest, live and work in Malaysia.
Malaysia has organised outreach events with over 100 of its companies across 20 countries including the UK, Japan, United Arab Emirates, Australia, US and Taiwan.
“The country hosts a number of foreign talents working and living here. As our key economic sectors begin to focus more on knowledge intensive and innovation led activities, expatriates provide a talent source capable of boosting the innovation of Malaysia’s workforce through knowledge and skills transfers,” Mr Johan said.
“We often find that whether at home or abroad, there appears to be a lack of awareness of the richness and availability of career opportunities [in Malaysia].”