Advertisement

KUALA LUMPUR: Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim says the government will continue to support high value-add local startups from the early stage right up to a listing on Bursa Malaysia

Reflecting this commitment, government-linked investment companies (GLICs) would set aside RM1.5 billion this year to invest in such startups, the Prime Minister said.

In addition, Anwar said a tax deduction would be provided on the listing costs for companies on ACE, LEAP as well as technology stocks onto the Main Board.

"We certainly want to ensure that successful startups will have access to later-stage financing here in Malaysia so that they do not need to seek a listing abroad," he said at the Invest Malaysia 2023 conference here today.

Previously, Anwar announced in 2023 Budget that GLICs such as Khazanah Nasional Bhd and the Employees' Provident Fund would invest in innovative and high-growth local startups with an investment of RM1.5 billion.

He said with the cumulative investment value of GLICs estimated at RM50 billion this year, the role of the GLICs and government-linked companies (GLCs) as the driver of the country's economy was huge.

To encourage the listing of local high-growth technology companies, Anwar said the government would allow listed companies to issue dual-class shares.

Source: https://www.nst.com.my/business/2023/03/886997/malaysia-continue-supporting-high-growth-start-ups-anwar