There are about one million Malaysian expatriates working overseas as of April this year, the Dewan Rakyat was told today.

Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister's Department SK Devamany said the figure was based on a joint study by the World Bank and the Economic Planning Unit of the Prime Minister's Department.

He said the setting up of Talent Corporation Malaysia Berhad (TalentCorp) was an apt move in the effort to attract them to come home.

"Among the initiatives taken by TalentCorp to reach out to them is through the returning expert programme (REP)," he said in reply to a question from Salahuddin Ayub (PAS-Kubang Kerian).

He said TalentCorp would create a professional network with those who wanted to remain abroad to inform them of the job opportunities available in Malaysia and to leverage their expertise and network for the country's economic development.

"TalentCorp will reach out to them, including those in Australia, United States and United Kingdom," he said, adding that these expatriates contributed to the country's gross domestic product through remittance.

- Bernama

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