
Bank Negara launches full QRI programme to boost corporate flexibility
KUALA LUMPUR: Bank Negara has announced the full rollout of the Qualified Resident Investor (QRI) Programme for eligible corporates, effective July 1, as part of efforts to promote two-way flows in the onshore foreign exchange market.
In a statement, the central bank said the rollout builds on the success of the pilot programme, which was introduced in April 2024.
Since its inception, the QRI programme has generated cumulative inflows from participants exceeding US$1bil into the domestic financial market.
The QRI Programme allows eligible resident corporates to enjoy greater flexibility in managing their future direct investments abroad without needing prior approval from Bank Negara.
To participate, corporates are required to complete a one-time registration with Bank Negara.
Upon successful registration, these corporates must repatriate and convert eligible foreign currency funds into ringgit in order to benefit from the programme's flexibilities.
Eligible corporates include all resident companies that repatriate and convert foreign currency proceeds from their overseas investments, and that demonstrate good corporate governance as well as compliance with Bank Negara's foreign exchange policy (FEP).
The QRI Programme will be available until June 30, 2028.
For more information on the progamme, visit bnm.gov.my/fep.

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Malaysian Reserve
an hour ago
- Malaysian Reserve
Israel-Iran tensions fuel fears in global markets
THE latest escalation of geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, caused by Israel's airstrikes on Iran, overshadowed optimism in global markets brought about by US-China trade talks, while concerns over further escalation heightened risk sentiment, Anadolu Ajansi reported. While a new US deal with China, its most important trading partner, and growing expectations of compromise with other countries supported equity markets, investors shifted their focus to geopolitical risks after Israel's latest attack on Iran. Following the attack, sharp movements were seen in Brent oil. Amid supply concerns, the price of Brent oil rose to $76.3 a barrel, its highest level since February. The barrel price of Brent oil is currently trading at $73.44, up 5.4 per cent as of 0620GMT. After the ounce price of gold rose to $3,445 on Friday, it stabilised at around $3,425, up 1.1 per cent. Index futures contracts in Europe began the new day negatively amid rising war concerns. The FTSE 100 futures index in the UK lost 0.3 per cent, the CAC 40 futures index in France and the DAX 40 futures in Germany lost around 1.6 per cent, and the FTSE MIB 30 futures in Italy lost 0.7 per cent. In Asia, the Nikkei 225 index in Japan fell 1.2 per cent, the Kospi index in South Korea 1.3 per cent, the Shanghai Composite index in China 0.7 per cent, and the Hang Seng index in Hong Kong 0.8 per cent. The Israeli strikes began around 3 a.m. local time (2330GMT) and targeted both military and nuclear facilities, as well as residential areas, according to Iranian media reports. In response, Iran launched over 100 drones towards Israel in recent hours, and interception efforts are ongoing. Both countries have been preparing for potential military confrontation, with Iran reportedly developing counterstrike plans involving ballistic missiles targeting Israeli territory.— BERNAMA-ANADOLU


Focus Malaysia
2 hours ago
- Focus Malaysia
China glove makers turn up the heat on Malaysian rivals
WITH China players increasingly deploying overseas capacity to penetrate the US market more effectively, the competitive landscape is turning more aggressive, especially after 2025. 'In our view, a price war is highly likely shaping up an over-supplied gloves market,' said Maybank Investment Bank (MIB) in a recent report. Separately, MIB believes upcoming results could be weak mainly due to weakening USD currency vs MYR. MIB reiterates their negative stance on the Malaysia glove sector. Latest industry sources suggest that competition in the glove sector is set to intensify further, with new capacity from a major China glove maker, expected to come online by the end of 2025. MIB understands that the China glove maker has started marketing to US customers, offering upcoming capacity from its overseas plants in Vietnam and Indonesia at average selling prices of USD16–17/k pcs, versus Malaysia glove makers' current average selling price of USD18–19/k pcs, with deliveries starting from Nov 2025 onwards. Additionally, the company's Indonesia plant is likely to be operational by end-2025 or early 2026, which is earlier than MIB's initial expectation of the second half of 2026. While this may be part of the China glove maker's marketing strategy, pricing could still adjust based on demand, tariffs and counter-moves by Malaysia glove makers. 'The latest news nonetheless reaffirms our negative stance on the sector,' said MIB. Competition is clearly intensifying, with more capacity from China, targeting non-US markets, and its overseas plants, focusing on the US market. Although the actual supply timeline from these overseas plants remain uncertain, any meaningful ramp-up will likely exert pressure on pricing and margins. A price war appears increasingly likely, in MIB's view. That said, a key upside risk to our call would be a shift in US trade policy particularly if the Trump administration finalises higher tariffs on gloves from Vietnam, Indonesia and Thailand while maintaining lower tariffs for Malaysia. Such a move would restore Malaysia's cost competitiveness in the US market and partially offset the structural headwinds facing the sector. —June 13, 2025 Main image: Business Times


The Star
2 hours ago
- The Star
Malaysia's ties with United States and China not mutually exclusive, says US ambassador
Photo: AZMAN GHANI/The Star KUALA LUMPUR: The United States sees Malaysia as a key partner even as South-East Asia navigates growing engagement with China, citing the country's focused and professional approach to advancing bilateral trade talks, says US Ambassador to Malaysia Edgard Kagan ( pic ). He said Washington does not see growing ties with China as a threat to its own relationships in the region and that South-East Asian countries should not be forced to choose sides. "I would challenge the assertion that the region is moving closer to Beijing. "Countries in this region have long had strong ties with both the United States and China. We don't view those ties as mutually exclusive," he said during a press conference at his official residence here on Friday (June 13). Kagan was responding to a question about regional realignment in the wake of Chinese President Xi Jinping's visit to Malaysia in April. He said the United States respects the sovereign decisions of its partners and recognises that countries may engage with multiple powers based on their national interests. He added that the United States remains a significant contributor to Malaysia's development, particularly through trade and investment. American companies, he said, continue to play a vital role in the local economy and exports to the United States remain crucial for Malaysia. Kagan also emphasised that Washington is committed to strengthening its bilateral relationship with Malaysia, especially through trade cooperation. "We believe that the key is to strengthen our bilateral relationship between the United States and Malaysia," he said. He then highlighted the US government's appreciation for Malaysia's conduct in recent trade discussions, describing the country's negotiating team as professional and well prepared. "I've been very impressed with the seriousness with which Malaysia has approached the trade negotiations with the United States. "These are tough issues but the professionalism of the negotiating team and the government's commitment to reaching an agreement that facilitates trade – including greater access to Malaysian markets for American products and services – is very impressive," he said. This comes as both countries continue working-level discussions to enhance market access and remove trade barriers. The broader US-Malaysia trade relationship has faced pressure since 2018, when President Donald Trump's first administration imposed sweeping tariffs on steel, aluminium and other imports under national security provisions. Those measures, which disrupted global supply chains and raised costs for exporters in the region, including Malaysia, have continued under his current term with further tariff actions. Nevertheless, Kagan expressed optimism about current efforts to rebuild momentum, adding that the two governments are approaching the process in good faith. "There's a lot we can do together. I'm confident the relationship is strong and that it can be made even stronger," he said. Kagan also voiced support for Malaysia's chairmanship of Asean in 2025, calling it an opportunity to promote inclusive and balanced regional growth.