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Investing In The East Coast Economic Region (ECER), MALAYSIA

QUICK FACTS: ECER MALAYSIA

The East Coast Economic Region (ECER) is an economic corridor established to bring about the socio-economic transformation of the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia. The ECER is Malaysia’s gateway to the ASEAN region and the Far East.

ECER covers the states of Kelantan, Terengganu, Pahang and the district of Mersing in Johor. The  advantages include:-

  • Strong support from Federal and State Governments with pro-business and liberal investment policies;
  • Advantageous geographical orientation Eastern Gateway of Malaysia to Europe, US and Asia Pacific;
  • Strong resources endowment – crude oil, natural gas, tin, timber, palm oil, rubber and others;
  • Competitive land prices;
  • Industrial park ready with infrastructure;
  • Market-oriented economy – exporter of resource based and manufacturing products;
  • Multilingual workforce speaking two or three languages, including English and Mandarin;
  • Large and established foreign business communities in all business sectors;
  • Special incentives and facilitation fund for human capital development for investors in ECER;
  • ECER Development Council is the one-stop facilitation centre to assist investors in dealing with Malaysia Government for their investment in ECER;
  • Competitive wage rates compared to the more developed regions of Malaysia.

MAIN ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA FOR ALL THE CLUSTERS:

  1. Company incorporated under the Companies Act 1965 or Company Act 2016 and resident in Malaysia;
  2. Undertaking a qualifying activity in ECER or has commence a qualifying activity not more than one (1) year from the date of application made and approval by the Minister;
  3. Investors investing in a related company shall own at least 70% equity/paid-up ordinary shares of the company; and
  4. Application to be made on or after 13 June 2008 but not later than 31 December 2020. 

ECER INCENTIVE PACKAGE FOR MANUFACTURING CLUSTER

Promoted Activity

ECER Incentives

  1. Selected manufactured and agro-based products.
  2. Selected manufacturing related services.
  1. Tax Exemption:
    • Income tax exemption of 100% for 10 years commencing from the year company derives statutory income; or
    • Income tax exemption equivalent to 100% of qualifying capital expenditure (Investment tax allowance) for 5 years.
  2. Stamp duty exemption on land or building acquired for development.

ECER INCENTIVE PACKAGE FOR TOURISM CLUSTER

Promoted Activity

ECER Incentives

Tourism

 

  1. Culture and Heritage.
  2. Island tourism.
  3. Mainland coastal tourism.
  4. Cross border tourism.
  5. Eco-tourism.
  6. Health tourism.
  1. Tax exemption:
    • Income tax exemption of 100% for 10 years commencing from the year company derives statutory income; or
    • Income tax exemption equivalent to 100% of qualifying capital expenditure (Investment tax allowance) for 5 years.
  2. Stamp duty exemption on land or building acquired for development.
  3. Withholding tax exemption on royalty and technical fees up to 31 December 2020 for tourism sector only.
  4. Single deduction up to maximum of RM1million for a year of assessment for sponsors of such Hallmark Event approved by ECER Development Council.

ECER INCENTIVE PACKAGE FOR CULTURE & HERITAGE

Promoted Activity

ECER Incentives

Culture and Heritage

 

  1. Making of batik, songket or royal tenun.
  2. Making of brassware or silverware.
  3. Making of traditional kites.
  4. Woodcarving.
  5. Selected art and craft projects including print-making or sculpting.
  1. Tax exemption
    • Income tax exemption of 100% for 10 years commencing from the year company derives statutory income; or
    • Income tax exemption equivalent to 100% of qualifying capital expenditure (Investment tax allowance) for 5 years;
    • Stamp duty exemption on land or building acquired for development.
    • Withholding tax exemption on royalty and technical fees up to 31 December 2020 for tourism sector only.
    • Single deduction up to maximum of RM1million for a year of assessment for sponsors of such Hallmark Event approved by ECERDC.

ECER INCENTIVE PACKAGE FOR AGRICULTURE AND AGRICULTURE RELATED SERVICES CLUSTER

Promoted Activity

ECER Incentives

Agriculture

 

  1. Cultivation of kenaf, vegetable, fruit, herbs, spices or cocoa.
  2. Biomass Plantation including cassava, acacia mangium, leucana leucocephala.
  3. Planting of Hevea brasiliensis.
  4. Floriculture including ornamental flowers.
  5. Aquaculture.
  6. Inland and Deep sea fishing.
  7. Rearing of cattle, buffalo, goat, sheep, ostrich, turkey and quail.
  1. Tax exemption:
    • Income tax exemption of 100% for 10 years commencing from the year company derives statutory income; or
    • Income tax exemption equivalent to 100% of qualifying capital expenditure (Investment tax allowance) for 5 years.
  2. Stamp duty exemption on land or building acquired for development.
  3. Deduction to the amount of investment made in the promoted project or activity.

ECER INCENTIVE PACKAGE FOR AGRICULTURE AND AGRICULTURE RELATED SERVICES CLUSTER

Promoted Activity

ECER Incentives

Agriculture – related services

 

  1. Collecting, processing and packaging of agricultural produce.
  2. Collection and marketing of agricultural produce.
  1. Tax exemption:
    • Income tax exemption of 100% for 10 years commencing from the year company derives statutory income; or
    • Income tax exemption equivalent to 100% of qualifying capital expenditure (Investment tax allowance) for 5 years.
  2. Stamp duty exemption on land or building acquired for development.
  3. Deduction to the amount of investment made in the promoted project or activity.

ECER INCENTIVE PACKAGE FOR KNOWLEDGE, EDUCATION AND ICT DEVELOPMENT CLUSTER

Promoted Activity

ECER Incentives

  1. Education and training.
  2. Information, communication and technology.
  1. Tax exemption:
    • Income tax exemption of 100% for 10 years commencing from the year company derives statutory income; or
    • Income tax exemption equivalent to 100% of qualifying capital expenditure (Investment tax allowance) for 5 years.
    • Stamp duty exemption on land or building acquired for development.
    • Withholding tax exemption on royalty and technical fees up to 31 December 2020.

ECER INCENTIVE PACKAGE FOR OIL, GAS AND PETROCHEMICAL CLUSTER

Promoted Activity

ECER Incentives

Selected oil, gas and petrochemical products or activities.
  1. Tax exemption:
    • Income tax exemption of 100% for 10 years commencing from the year company derives statutory income; or
    • Income tax exemption equivalent to 100% of qualifying capital expenditure (Investment tax allowance) for 5 years.
  2. Stamp duty exemption on land or building acquired for development.

ECER INCENTIVE PACKAGE FOR OIL, GAS AND PETROCHEMICAL CLUSTER

Promoted Activity

ECER Incentives

1. Approved developers undertaking development in industrial parks or fee zone.

Income tax exemption for 10 years commencing from the year company derives statutory income:-

  • disposal of any right over any land or disposal of a building or rights over a building or part of a building; or
  • rental of building or part of a building.

2. Approved development manager providing management, supervisory or marketing services in relation to the development of an industrial park or free zone.

 

3. Approved park managers providing park management services including maintenance, marketing and rental of common facilities and utilities services in the industrial park or free zone.

Income tax exemption for 10 years commencing from the year company derives statutory income derived from a qualifying activity.

4. Qualifying person who sponsors a hallmark event.

A deduction equivalent to the amount not exceeding RM1 million for each year of assessment in respect of cash contribution or contribution-in-kind.

Company Taxes In Malaysia
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Company Taxes In Malaysia
Need More Info?

Speak with our friendly team today!