Malaysia to Increase Location Production Incentives
Patrick Frater Asia Bureau ChiefMalaysia is set to increase the value of its location-based incentives from the current 30% to 35%, the government is expected to announce this week in Cannes.The Film in Malaysia Incentive (FIMI) was launched in 2013, around the time that the Iskandar Malaysia studios were opened in the south of the country, and is administered by the National Film Development Corp. (FINAS).FINAS and Communications and Multimedia Minister Annuar Musa will lead a Malaysian delegation at the Cannes Market and are expected to reveal details of the FIMI upgrade at a Malaysia-focused conference on May 19.“FINAS intends to use the Marché film market as a platform to promote Malaysia as an international filming destination that offers 30% cash rebate through FIMI and up to 5% [additional] through a cultural test,” FINAS chief executive Nasir Ibrahim told state news agency Bernama, in a pre-departure briefing.