Generally, any person or foreigner can set up and operate a business in Malaysia. The requirement is that the firm or company must apply for registration from SURUHANJAYA SYARIKAT MALAYSIA (SSM).
Special licences or approval must first be obtained from the respective authorities for certain businesses such as banks, insurance companies, share broking companies, professional firms, investment corporations, and manufacturing corporations before registration may be made to SSM. The other respective approval authorities includes :

External Links :

• MINISTRY OF FINANCE
• MINISTRY OF INTERNATIONAL TRADE & INDUSTRY (MITI)
• MINISTRY OF DOMESTIC TRADE & CONSUMER AFFAIRS (MDTCA)
• MALAYSIA INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY (MIDA)
• ECONOMIC PLANNING UNIT OF THE PRIME MINISTER’S DEPARTMENT

Information regarding the establishment of industrial projects in Malaysia may be obtained from the MALAYSIA INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY (MIDA).
The MIDA may help investor in planning, locate available land and factory space, long term financing and skilled manpower. Its Assistance Unit helps investors who are not familiar with government procedures to implement their projects swiftly. The division also brings together local and foreign parties interested in joint ventures.

Information pertaining to Foreign Investment Committee (FIC) can be obtained from
ECONOMIC PLANNING UNIT OF THE PRIME MINISTER’S DEPARTMENT