STATISTICS on them are hard to come by as government departments and agencies do not see them as "important". As such, tracking them down can be a difficult task.

But there are a number of successful Malaysian entrepreneurs abroad who have brought their businesses home.

The Malaysian Industrial Development Authority (Mida) acknowledges that more Malaysians overseas, especially from the United States and Europe, want to return to the country.

And the agency is now taking note.

"We did not see the statistics as a necessity. This is because whether they have businesses abroad or not, it is not a deciding factor to support the issuance of licences or incentives," says Mida director-general Datuk Jalilah Baba.
Rather, she says, the viability of the projects and the value-added services that the businesses provide are the yardstick.

Mida is the government's principal agency for the promotion of the manufacturing and services sectors. It also assists companies which intend to invest in the sectors and facilitates their project implementation.

"Personalities involved in the business and their backgrounds are also among our concerns," Jalilah says.

However, she agrees that the agency should have been keeping track of entrepreneurs who have returned home, more so since the country needs their knowledge and expertise.

She says the agency, under the purview of International Trade and Industry Ministry, has been trying to woo more entrepreneurs home.

"The new minister (Datuk Mustapa Mohamed) has said he will look at ways to provide incentives for them and Mida will guide those who are interested to come home.

"It is also high time for us to acknowledge them for they will contribute greatly to the country."

Jalilah says it is a good chance for the entrepreneurs as the country has not been badly hit by the global slowdown and remains a conducive place for new businesses.

For enquiries, entrepreneurs can email investmalaysia@mida.gov.my or visit www.mida.gov.my. -NST