SME Directory of Malaysia, Malaysia Business Portal

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The Malaysian Government is very supportive of the MICE industry and offers comprehensive assistance and numerous incentives to boost the industry, among others, through Tourism Malaysia, Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE) and also tax incentives.

 

TOURISM MALAYSIA

Tourism Malaysia’s objective is to promote Malaysia as an outstanding tourist destination, with the ultimate aim of increasing the number of foreign tourists to Malaysia, extending the average length of their stay and, in doing so, increase Malaysia’s tourism revenue. Tourism Malaysia also aspires to develop domestic tourism and to enhance Malaysia’s share of the market for meetings, incentives, conventions and exhibitions (MICE).

The comprehensive support by Tourism Malaysia for MICE includes the following:

•    Information on conference venues, accommodation, transportation, relevant local suppliers

•    Suggestions and ideas on social programmes, accompanying persons programmes and pre/post tour options

•    Assistance in promoting and publicizing the event through listings in Tourism Malaysia’s calendar of conferences and exhibitions in Malaysia as well as in its official website

•    Use of the campaign logo in the organizer’s conference and exhibitions publicity materials

•    Dissemination of conference and exhibition information to relevant organizations through Tourism Malaysia’s overseas offices

•    Assistance in obtaining speedy clearance from the Royal Customs and immigration subject to early application, which should be at least three months prior to the group’s arrival

•    Supply of convention shells and posters for overprinting of event announcements

•    Supply of souvenirs or give-aways

•    Hosting of cultural shows at the opening ceremonies or social evenings

•    Provision of tourist information services at event venue

Criteria to Qualify for Benefits

The criteria to qualify for benefits of organizing MICE events in Malaysia during the Meet and Experience Malaysia Truly Asia campaign period are listed below:

1.    Meetings and Conventions

•    At least a total of 3 nights’ stay at a conference hotel in Malaysia

•    At least 2 nights’ stay in hotel

•    At least 25% overseas delegates

•    At least from five (5) different countries

2.    Incentive Groups

•    At least 2 nights’ stay in hotel

•    At least 120 participants

3.    Exhibitions

•    At least 3 exhibition days

•    At least 20% overseas exhibitors and visitors or;

•    At least 20% net space rented to foreign exhibitors; or

•    At least 10% comprising foreign trade visitors

•    The event must have a good track record (based on an audited report of the previous exhibition)

For more information please contact:

Convention Division, Tourism Malaysia

Malaysia Tourism Promotion Board

(Ministry of Tourism, Malaysia)

19th Floor, Menara Dato’ Onn

Putra World Trade Centre

45, Jalan Tun Ismail

50480 Kuala Lumpur

Tel: (603) 2615 8188    Fax: (603) 4042 5135

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MALAYSIA EXTERNAL TRADE DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION (MATRADE)

MATRADE, an agency under the Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI), is responsible for the registration of both domestic and international trade-related exhibitions. Upon request, MATRADE can also issue an official endorsement for events which fulfil the following criteria:

Criteria for Endorsement

 

a)    The organizer must be a registered local or foreign company

b)    The venue of the exhibitions must be equipped with suitable equipment and facilities

c)    The events must occupy a minimum gross space of 1,000 square metres

d)    The events feature products, technologies or services that are consistent with industry requirements

e)    For international exhibitions, the events must have one of the following:

•    at least 20% foreign exhibitors, or

•    at least 20% net space rented to foreign exhibitors, or

•    10% foreign trade visitors

f)    Application for endorsement must be made using MATRADE’s Form E1 with an audited report of the previous exhibition

 

MATRADE’s endorsement comes with:

•    Listing of the events on the MATRADE homepage

•    Listing of the events in the compilation of Malaysia Conventions and Exhibitions

•    Use of MATRADE logo with no implication (financial and non-financial) to MATRADE

For international events, the benefits include:

•    Promotion through MATRADE overseas offices

•    Promotion during Malaysian trade missions overseas

•    Promotion among foreign missions/individual buyers brought in by MATRADE

•    Facilitation of Government’s export promotion incentives for eligible local exhibitors

•    Facilitation of customs clearance of exhibits at entry/departure points

•    Facilitation for immigration clearance of foreign exhibitors and trade visitors on arrival and departure

To register trade-related exhibitions with MATRADE, event organizers are required to complete Registration Form (R1).

To seek MATRADE’s endorsement for the event, event organizers are required to complete Endorsement Form (E1).

Application for MATRADE’s Endorsement must be submitted 6 months before the event together with an audited report of the previous exhibition.

The above forms must be forwarded to:

MEEC & Local International Trade Fair Unit

Tingkat 2, Menara MATRADE

Jalan Khidmat Usaha, Off Jalan Duta

50480 Kuala Lumpur

Tel: (603) 6207 7077

Fax: (603) 6203 7259

 

TAX INCENTIVES FOR MICE

The Government also offer tax incentives to tour operators and event organizers as follows:

1.    Double Deduction for Tourism Industry

The following expenditures incurred by hotels and tour operators for overseas promotions are allowed further deduction:

•    Expenditure on publicity and advertisement in any mass media outside Malaysia

•    Expenditure on the publication of brochures, magazines and guide books, including delivery costs which are not charged to the overseas customers

•    Expenditure on market research to explore for new markets overseas, subject to the prior approval of the Ministry of Tourism

•    Expenditure which includes fares to any country outside Malaysia for purposes of negotiating or securing  a contract  for advertising or participating in trade fairs, conferences or  forums approved  by the Ministry of Tourism. Such expenses are subject to a maximum of RM300 per day for accommodation and RM150 per day for sustenance

•    Expenditure on organizing trade fairs, conferences or forums in foreign country approved by the Ministry of Tourism. These expenditures are subject to the maximum of RM300 per day for accommodation and RM150 per day for sustenance

•    Maintenance of sales office overseas

2.    Exemption for Tour Operators

Tour operators who bring in at least 500 foreign tourists through group inclusive tours or 1,200 local tourists on domestic tours in the assessed year that is certified by the Ministry of Tourism will be exempted from tax on income earned from the business of operating tours. The tour operators need to be licensed under the Tourism Industry Act 1992. Budget 2007 has extended this incentive until the year of assessment 2011.

3.    Exemption for Fair Organizers

Organizers of International Trade Exhibitions in Malaysia are eligible for tax exemption on income earned from organizing international trade exhibitions. To qualify, the organizer will need to apply for a letter from MATRADE to certify that the fair is approved by MATRADE and the organizer of the international exhibition must bring in at least 500 foreign trade visitors per event.