KUALA LUMPUR (July 25): WORQ, a co-working and flexible space provider, announced its partnership with Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC) on July 17 to launch the WORQ with DE Rantau programme, with the aim to contribute to the development of Malaysia’s digital economy.  

The DE Rantau programme was initiated by MDEC in 2022 to establish Malaysia as the preferred digital nomad hub in Asean, while boosting digital adoption and promoting digital professional mobility and tourism across the country. The programme provides nomad passes to foreign or local recipients, allowing them to travel and work remotely at MDEC’s nomad-ready hubs in various locations in Malaysia.  

Commenting on the partnership, MDEC chief executive officer Mahadhir Aziz said: “This collaboration not only addresses surging demand for digital transformation, but also underscores our unwavering commitment to positioning Malaysia as the leading digital hub in Asean.”

WORQ co-founder and CEO Stephanie Ping concured and added, “We are thrilled to announce our collaboration with MDEC and its DE Rantau programme as a step to attract more digital nomads to Malaysia. These skilled individuals contribute to the local economy, and have become a critical part of the global workforce.”  

The WORQ with DE Rantau programme is estimated to inject RM360 million into the Malaysian economy by supporting 6,000 highly skilled workers, as well as enabling new businesses in the economy. 

The programme will provide high-quality, conductive and flexible workspace, access to high-speed broadband connectivity, WORQ facilities, as well as WORQ events and community initiatives to support the digital nomadic lifestyle across all WORQ outlets in Malaysia, including WORQ Express in Pulau Perhentian.  

To date, DE Rantau has issued 536 passes to foreign digital nomads.

“Through the Malaysia Digital national strategic initiative and its Pemangkin programmes, we aim to generate significant economic spillovers and enrich the digital economy. Together, we are poised to unlock boundless opportunities for digital nomads, drive digital transformation, and foster exceptional economic growth in Malaysia,” Mahadhir added. 

Meanwhile, WORQ currently has seven outlets in Malaysia, and the company has plans to expand the total space under management to 450,000 sq ft by 2025, in line with the growing co-working space industry.