Investment that builds capability
As Head of Foreign Direct Investment at MDeC, I worked to bring international companies into Malaysia’s digital economy and support investment that created jobs and new capabilities.
MDeC · 2006–2010Australian-born · Malaysia-based · Since 2001
Matthew
Barsing.
Business leader · Author · Economic commentator
I work where policy, business and people meet: helping turn investment ambition into practical outcomes for companies and economies.
Based in Kuala Lumpur, working across borders
Matthew BarsingBusiness · Investment · Region
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A career across
public and private sectors
public and private sectors
13,000+jobs created through investment activity
2006–2010Head of FDI, MDeC
14 yearsMalaysia–Australia Business Council EXCO service
Since 2001living and working in Malaysia
Experience & perspective
Good strategy has to
work in the real world.
My career has moved between government, business and regional partnerships. The common thread is practical execution: connecting capital with capability, and policy with the people expected to deliver it.
Business leadership and governance
I serve as Chairman of Chemrex Corporation and as a Director of EPS Consultants Malaysia and Formind Global Holdings Sdn. Bhd. My board roles span business, talent, education and technology.
Chemrex · EPS Consultants · FormindPartnerships across borders
My work spans Malaysia, ASEAN, Uzbekistan and Australia through business, technology and investment relationships.
Malaysia · ASEAN · Uzbekistan · AustraliaPeople behind the investment
Investment only becomes durable when talent, leadership and execution capacity grow alongside it. That link has shaped my work in recruitment and human capital.
Talent · Jobs · ExecutionA few milestones
The work keeps
moving forward.
- 2001Made Malaysia home
- 2006–10Led FDI work at MDeC
- 2022Joined EPS Consultants Malaysia as Director
- 2024Began serving as Ambassador to IT Park Uzbekistan
- 2025Published Unleashing Malaysia’s Economic Potential
The book
A practical guide to
Malaysia’s potential.
Unleashing Malaysia’s Economic Potential looks at the choices that shape the country’s investment environment, industry development and competitiveness—and what it takes to turn opportunity into results.
Also available at Kinokuniya KLCC, Eslite Bookstore, Starhill, Bukit Bintang and Gerak Budaya.
The connection between policy, investment and the people who make it happen runs through my work. This book brings those perspectives together.
Why I wrote the book ↗The book in conversation
Ideas are a starting point.
Conversations move them forward.
Explore the interviews and coverage around the book, and the wider questions shaping Malaysia’s economic future.
Read the book coverage ↗
Selected ventures
Ideas made
useful.
Explore eight projects built around real needs: better connections, clearer regional insight, new opportunities, confident communication and everyday wellbeing.
Briefelo
Turn meeting recordings into clear briefs and polished Word documents.
CardSnap
Scan business cards, remember conversations and keep your next follow-up ready.
ASEAN Rising
Independent news and insight on Southeast Asia’s business, capital, technology and trade.
My Soul Compass
Personalised guided hypnosis for sleep, confidence, calm, focus and habit change.
ASEAN Talent
Connect talent and employers across 11 ASEAN markets.
Teleprompter Asia
Draft, translate and rehearse your next talk with a voice-following teleprompter.
MacroTrain
Bring nutrition, training and recovery together with an ASEAN-aware AI coach.
ZackStudio
Turn motorsport moments into branded posts, captioned clips and short videos.
Writing & public conversation
Commentary
in the public record.
Bylined commentary, interviews and profiles from newspapers, magazines and broadcast conversations. Each entry links to its original source.
Digital financial education can help guide young Malaysians
The RTS Link could redraw Malaysia’s economic map
Public appointments in the digital economy need evidence, not just applause
By Matthew Barsing.
“He came to Malaysia for a holiday — 24 years later, he’s still here, shaping futures.”
Print profile in Vol. 338, pages 41–42.
Malaysia’s Growth Reset
Interview on Malaysia’s economic outlook, investment strategy and regional competitiveness.
What Keeps an Australian in Malaysia for 23 Years?
Long-form conversation about making Malaysia home and the country’s evolution.
Conversation & collaboration
Building something
across the region?
Let’s connectFor business, investment and speaking conversations, connect with me on LinkedIn.