The Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC) announced during the Malaysia Tech Week conference that it will be piloting a new short-term visa program for tech freelancers to work in Malaysia, according to Malaysia’s The Star. The ‘Digital Freelancer Program’ aims to attract foreign talents in the field of blockchain to work in Malaysia.
According to The Star, vice president of MDEC growth ecosystem development, Norhizam Abdul Kadir said the proposal papers for the program had been submitted to the Immigration Department and the Home Ministry for consideration.
MDEC will be working with Singapore-based blockchain organization, Nem Foundation, and the Estonian cross-border job marketplace, Jobbatical to run the Digital Freelancer Program. Specifically, Nem Foundation will define the kinds of talent needed while Jobbatical will help source and provide the people.
The number of visas to be issued depends on the projects that blockchain companies in Malaysia will run.
Malaysia is looking to apply blockchain technology in industries such as renewable energy, palm oil, and Islamic finance–these are Malaysia’s three largest industries. Penang, dubbed the “Silicon Valley of the East” will soon be deploying blockchain solutions to track its food supply chain.