Malaysia

Malaysia

Unveiled a Golden Pass scheme to attract unicorns and venture capitalists

22 Apr 2024

On 22 April 2024, the Government of Malaysia launched the 'Golden Pass' scheme to attract unicorn start-ups and venture capitalists (VCs), positioning the country as a premier business hub in Southeast Asia. This initiative is designed not only to attract investment but also to drive innovation and create jobs. For unicorns, the scheme offers fee exemptions on employment passes for senior management executives, rental subsidies, and tax concessions. For VCs, it includes work visa exemptions for senior executives, subsidised office spaces, expedited license registrations, and exempted fees for employment passes. However, eligibility is restricted to VCs managing assets exceeding $100 million and possessing a strong track record of successful tech startup investments and scaling.