Malaysian Dutch Business Council
The Malaysian Dutch Business Council (MDBC) is an award winning Dutch bilateral Chamber of Commerce located in Malaysia. Well established, we have been providing business services, representation, and networking for close to three decades. MDBC has nearly 300 members and works closely with the Netherlands Embassy, key Malaysian and Dutch Ministries, and relevant Government Agencies to provide the best support for Dutch companies looking to establish and / or expand their business presence in Malaysia and the wider ASEAN / Asian region. MDBC was one of the first NL Business Hubs in the world to be accredited by NLinBusiness in 2019, as well as re – accredited in 2023, receiving wide recognition for the soft landing support for Dutch entrepreneurs in Malaysia, including our Rumah Oranje (hot desks and virtual office address) offering.
Our key activities and initiatives include: Chapters in Penang and Johor, the MDBC Innovation & Sustainability Awards (MISA), setting up the Responsible Business Conduct (RBC) Working Group together with the Netherlands Embassy, and the MDBC Student Internship Program (SIP) coordinating internship placements in Malaysia for Dutch students. Through our activities and initiatives, we play a vital role in promoting trade, investment, and economic cooperation between Malaysia and the Netherlands.
MDBC has been re – accredited with the NLinBusiness quality mark and is part of the NL Business Hub network. MDBC is also a founding member of the ASEAN Dutch Chamber Network (ADCN).
Don’t forget to check out our Members Directory to see who’s in the community. MDBC is considered one of the most active councils in Kuala Lumpur and in Malaysia as a whole; to see what events are upcoming, please visit our Events Calendar.
MDBC GOAL:
MDBC has the audacious goal of becoming the best business chamber in the world, providing lasting value to our members. We achieve our high standards through the successful execution of our three objectives (Business Services, Representation, and Networking). Our core values are to be Entrepreneurial, Independent, Accessible, Responsible, and Service Oriented.
Learn more about who we are:
MDBC continues to gain recognition for the quality of its products and services, as well as great value. In 2023 MDBC became the second Dutch Chamber in the world to be re – accredited by NLinBusiness. The year before, MDBC won the “Most Trusted Bilateral Business Services Provider – Malaysia” award from APAC Insider. In 2021, we were recognized as the ‘Best Bilateral Business Services Provider – Malaysia’ also by APAC Insider. In 2019, MDBC was the second Dutch Chamber in the world to receive the NLinBusiness quality mark in an accreditation ceremony attended by the Netherlands Minister of Foreign Affairs, H.E. Stef Blok. In addition to being acknowledged as a ‘best – in – class’ leader, MDBC is a member of the NLinBusiness network of business hubs. This is a sign to Dutch entrepreneurs that they can be guaranteed a ‘soft landing’ in Malaysia as they seek to enter the Malaysian market and / or wider ASEAN market. In 2018, MDBC won the APAC 2018 International Chambers of Commerce Membership Engagement Program of the Year Award.
In 2023, MDBC was the second Dutch Chamber in the world to be re – accredited by NLinBusiness.
MDBC was one of the first NL Business Hubs in the world to be accredited by NLinBusiness in 2019, receiving wide recognition for our soft landing support for Dutch entrepreneurs in Malaysia. We are happy to announce that we have now completed our re – accreditation process and have once again received the NLinBusiness quality mark as an NL Business Hub, ensuring that our products and services, including offerings such as Rumah Oranje (hot desks and virtual office address), have continued to meet the international standard. This makes MDBC the second NL Business Hub worldwide to achieve re – accreditation. It confirms that MDBC is an important starting point for Dutch companies that want to get started in Malaysia and are looking for a good business network to achieve a flying start – enjoying a soft landing. It is a confirmation of MDBC’s ongoing commitment to representing the interests of Dutch entrepreneurs in Malaysia.
In 2022, MDBC won the ‘Most Trusted Bilateral Business Services Provider – Malaysia’ award from APAC Insider.
The challenges faced by Southeast Asian countries, that have been thrust upon them by the pandemic, have highlighted those who have proceeded to thrive in their industry. Southeast Asian economies have been developing their industry sectors, such as manufacturing and agriculture, amongst others.
Becoming more prominent in their sectors, we are seeing major advancements in this area of the world. These continuously developing countries are beginning to shine against the rest of the world, for their strength and innovation to their economy.
In 2021, MDBC won the ‘Best Bilateral Business Services Provider – Malaysia’ award from APAC Insider.
Southeast Asia has undoubtedly become a dominant force on the business landscape across a number of significant industries. Whilst other markets have stagnated in light of difficulties over the last couple of years, the region has ploughed on, finding strength and momentum as it capitalizes on opportunities. There can be no doubt, then, that the businesses in Southeast Asia are defined by an entrepreneurial spirit and a need to be greater. Better. More innovative. Those values are the cornerstone of business in the region, and look set to define its future.
To read about MDBC’s Best Bilateral Business Services Provider – Malaysia Award, click here.
In 2019, MDBC became the second Dutch Chamber in the world to receive the NLinBusiness quality mark.
MDBC received the NLinBusiness quality mark in an accreditation ceremony attended by the Netherlands Minister of Foreign Affairs, H.E. Stef Blok. In addition to being acknowledged as a ‘best – in – class’ leader, MDBC is now officially a member of the new NLinBusiness network of business hubs. This is a sign to Dutch entrepreneurs that they can be guaranteed a ‘soft landing’ in Malaysia as they seek to enter the Malaysian market and / or wider ASEAN market.
To read about MDBC’s Quality Mark, click here.
In 2018, MDBC won the APAC 2018 International Chambers of Commerce Membership Engagement Program of the Year Award.
MDBC uses an iterative approach to continuously improve their member engagement. They are proactive in understanding their member’s needs and systematically test possible improvements to engage their members, and then implement the services that cater to their member’s needs. The chamber has very happy members, great renewal numbers, and quite a steep increase in new members with great satisfaction. What makes MDBC different? They are unique as they allow their members a constant dialogue to express their needs or concerns. They are constantly evolving ideas to best meet the needs of their members.
To read about MDBC’s Membership Engagement Program of the Year Award, click here.
BUSINESS SERVICES:
MDBC provides business services and information to our members. We assist members and newcomers to the Malaysian market on issues related to setting up a company or representative office. MDBC keeps members updated on the latest developments in the business world and members’ news through our quarterly magazine (the MDBCONNECTS), the organisation of informative & educational events and through this website, electronic newsletters (the e – Update), and e mails. We also publish a Business Directory every 18 months.
REPRESENTATION:
MDBC serves as a link to other bilateral Business Associations and Chambers of Commerce. We participate in a dialogue amongst European Union member states in Malaysia and in EU – related programs. We also have established relations with various government institutions. The common business interests of our members (as well as individual needs of companies) are voiced through MDBC to the appropriate authorities in Malaysia. The Council also looks into combined efforts for representation at exhibitions and into commercial partnerships with Malaysian and Dutch government authorities on behalf of our members.
NETWORKING:
Through our regular (monthly) events, members are able to develop good business contacts with the Dutch – Malaysian business community in Malaysia, as well as with other foreign companies, Malaysian counterparts, and government bodies. MDBC members receive several dozen event – invitations every year. This includes signature events such as the MDBC Sustainability Awards and the Human Resources Forum. We also extend networking opportunities by organizing social events with other Business Associations and Chambers of Commerce.
When possible, MDBC participates in trade exhibitions, missions, and matchmaking sessions. This is done together with the Economic Department of the Netherlands Embassy and industry associations. At exhibitions, we invite our members to present their products and services within a larger “Holland Pavilion”. We also support Malaysian missions to The Netherlands.
