An evening with Asia's business leaders
On 18 September 2026, Malaya Corporate joined our Labuan partner, Famos Trustee, a Labuan trust company, at the Asia CEO Community 11th Anniversary Gala Dinner at Le Méridien Kuala Lumpur. Hosted by the community’s Malaysia Chapter, the gala brought together CEOs, founders, investors and decision-makers from across Asia and beyond.
Founded in Hong Kong, the Asia CEO Community has grown into a global network of business leaders spanning many industries and markets. Its annual gala is built for high-level networking rather than a typical corporate dinner, and this year Kuala Lumpur was the host city.
Why we were there
We attended as part of the Famos Trustee table, together with our Labuan team, representing Malaya Corporate as a corporate solutions and relocation partner for international businesses and families coming to Malaysia. Events like this put us in the same room as the people who make cross-border decisions: where to set up a regional office, how to structure an investment, and where to base their families.
Throughout the evening, we spoke with business leaders from different countries about:
Setting up in Malaysia. Company incorporation, foreign shareholding and ongoing compliance, plus Labuan companies and trust structures and family office.
Running the business smoothly. Company secretarial, accounting, tax, payroll and HR support under one roof.
Relocating with family. Long-stay options such as MM2H for executives and founders who want their families with them.
A common question from overseas guests was simple: “Who can I trust to handle everything in Malaysia?” Our answer is one team, with a multiracial and Mandarin-speaking staff, that covers both the business and the relocation.
Why Malaysia makes sense as a regional base
Many of the leaders we met were weighing where to put their next regional office. Here is the case we shared for Malaysia.
For companies
Central location in ASEAN. Kuala Lumpur sits within a short flight of Singapore, Jakarta, Bangkok and Ho Chi Minh City, which makes it a practical hub for managing several markets.
Cost advantage. Grade A office space, skilled staff and housing generally cost less than in Singapore or Hong Kong, so regional teams can be built at a sustainable cost.
Talent with languages. Malaysian professionals commonly speak English, Malay and Mandarin, and often Cantonese or Tamil too. That makes it easier to serve clients across Asia from one office.
Clear corporate framework. Setting up a Sdn Bhd is straightforward, foreign ownership is allowed in many sectors, and Labuan offers an option for regional holding and trading structures.
Supportive policies. Agencies such as MIDA and MATRADE actively support foreign investment and exports, with incentives for qualifying activities.
For executives and their families
Easy to settle in. Familiar food, festivals and languages help families from across Asia feel at home quickly.
Good schools and healthcare. A wide choice of international schools and well-regarded private hospitals.
Long-stay visa options. Programmes such as MM2H let executives and founders bring their families on a long-term basis
Labuan for regional and family structures
Several guests asked about Labuan. As Malaysia’s international business and financial centre, Labuan offers a well-regulated base for regional holding and trading companies. Qualifying trading activities are generally taxed at 3% of audited net profits, subject to substance requirements. For families, a Labuan trust supports succession planning and asset protection.
Through Famos Trustee, we help clients set up Labuan companies and trusts, while Malaya Corporate handles the Malaysian side: incorporation, company secretarial, accounting and relocation.
We thank Famos Trustee for having us, and the Asia CEO Community and its Malaysia Chapter for a well-organised evening. Cross-border business still starts with trust built face to face, and we look forward to continuing the conversations that began there.
Planning a business or a move to Malaysia? Our team speaks English, Malay and Mandarin. Contact us to arrange a consultation.
