Application For Five-Year Multiple Entry Visa For Investors To Open In Dec, Says PM Najib

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 26 (Bernama) -- In a move to facilitate the mobility of human capital with the implementation of the Asean Economic Community (AEC) next year, Malaysia, on its part, will open applications for five-year multiple entry visas for investors by December. In announcing this Tuesday, Prime Minister Najib Razak said applications can be made at the Expatriate Services Division of the Immigration Department which was launched in June. Najib said the move was taken to support the movement of business visitors, investors and fund managers, including those from beyond Asean such as India and China. "Freer mobility of business visitors, investors and skilled professionals are key to support trade and investment," said Najib at the Business Leaders' Dialogue Session here Tuesday. He said since Malaysia would assume the chairmanship role in 2015, it was important for Malaysia to prepare for this key milestone in Asean's integration which promised greater opportunities for Malaysia. Najib also said to ensure opportunities in Asean reached all levels of the community, including the young, Malaysia would launch an Asean Internship Programme called "My Asean Internship Programme". Through this programme, Malaysian companies would host Malaysian youths for internships overseas in Asean countries and youths from Asean countries for internships in Malaysia. Leading employers who have agreed to pioneer this initiative include CIMB, Malayan Banking Bhd, Axiata and Sime Darby Bhd. "At the moment, awareness about the opportunities arising from the AEC remains low, even among entrepreneurs of tomorrow," Najib added. The Business Leaders Dialogue was attended by 40 corporate leaders representing public-listed companies and government-linked companies. --BERNAMA