Top things to know when travelling to Kuala Lumpur on business – make your business trip a memorable one

Doing business in a foreign country such as Malaysia can take some getting used to and during the course of this article, the reader will be guided through the fundamentals of business travel in the nation’s capital of Kuala Lumpur. Therefore, if you have any questions or concerns regarding the subject matter, then do peruse the details penned down below.

Understand that Malaysia has a multicultural population

A vast volume of ethnicities reside within Malaysia with each community known to showcase its own traditions, mannerisms and beliefs. Over the years, these values have found their way into Kuala Lumpur and the way the city functions which from the perspective of the international corporate visitor would warrant paying close attention to. Overall, business customs are largely representative of those that you will encounter in the USA. However, in stark contrast to neighbouring Asian countries, Malaysians pride themselves on being more open, frank and punctual when it comes to entering into business agreements and forging new relationships for the better. Also, know that ongoing personal contact is a basic trait of how a business is managed in KL. Attention ought to be drawn towards the tradition of handing out business cards which must be done so solely with the use of one’s right hand. Added to this, you will need to tread carefully when in the company of different ethnic groups and for instance, avoid ordering any pork-based dish or alcohol when entertaining Malay Muslims at a social function or corporate gathering outside of the meeting room.

English is widely spoken

Communication will not be an issue when in the meeting room as British English is the choice of language when it comes to getting down to business. Influenced by the diverse ethnicities that live in the city, it wouldn’t be uncommon to have the locals speak at least 2 or 3 languages including the national language of Bahasa Malaysia and a dialect in the likes of Tamil, Cantonese or Chinese Mandarin which has ancestral ties to the person concerned.

Plan your visit around local holidays and business hours

Prior to arriving in Malaysia, it would be prudent on your part to inquire whether the office in KL will be open during your travel period. This is because an appointment will be hard to come by in the event the date of your intended meeting falls on a federal holiday. If dealing with government offices and agencies, then know that the said establishments will be open for business throughout the week while Saturdays and Sundays will be the exception.

Getting about

The country is well served by the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) which is one of the 5 international airports in Malaysia. However, KLIA is the largest in the land and is located some 50 km south of Kuala Lumpur. The national carrier of Malaysian Airlines provides top-notch air travel services to all leading cities spread throughout the nation with budget-friendly options appearing one of its unique selling points. In terms of public transportation, the city’s extensive modern light rail system can be availed of that will save you time from being stuck in traffic jams which are a common occurrence in the capital. Further, the KLIA Ekspress train can be made good use of where you will be able to reach the central train station of Stesen Sentral from the main airport within half an hour and that too for a ridiculously low price. Alternatively, taxis can be resorted to which will be easy on your purse and in turn, have you travelling in air-conditioned comfort. The online booking service titled ‘Grab’ will be your ‘go-to’ in this regard where your fee will be determined by a meter that will gauge the distance covered. The mentioned service is also available in instances where you find yourself based at Perai apartments in Penang ahead of any business-related engagement.?