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Business License

Before a company legally start operating in Malaysia, it is required to have certain Malaysia business license to operate and comply with. The requirements for Malaysia business license application may vary according to each local authority. Some of the Malaysia business licenses are required local Malaysian’s participation (in term of shareholding and directorship) in the application.
Below are some examples of Malaysia business licenses:
Local Council License (Business Premise License and Signboard License)
Local Council License is a simple license which you need to get from the local authority (e.g. MBJB for Johor Bahru) where your company’s physical office/shop located at. This license is mandatory for all companies that is operating in a physical office/shop.
WRT (Wholesale Retail Trade) License
WRT (Wholesales Retail Trade) License is for company with more than 50% foreign ownership participating in wholesale, retail, distributive trade, franchise, restaurant, trading, import and export business. This license is get from Ministry of Domestic Trade, Co-operative and Consumerism (KPDNKK). The minimum paid up capital requirement is RM1 million.
Manufacturing License (MIDA)
The Industrial Coordination Act, 1975 requires person(s) engaging in any manufacturing activity with shareholders’ funds of RM2.5 million and above or employing 75 or more full-time paid employees to obtain Manufacturing License. This license is get from MIDA (Malaysian Investment Development Authority).
Building and Construction License (CIDB)
All companies in construction related business (e.g. civil engineering, building construction and mechanical and electrical) are required to apply CIDB (Construction Industry Development Board) license.