Jetwing Travels, in collaboration with MiCE Hubs Travel and Tours Sdn Bhd, became the sole visa processing centre for Malaysia in Sri Lanka yesterday.
Tan Yang Thai, Malaysia’s High Commissioner to Sri Lanka and the Maldives, opined that the reopening of borders following the COVID-19 pandemic had resulted in an increase in the number of visa applications to the country, and that this appointment would help them become more efficient in handling requests. “The pandemic affected Malaysia’s labour market. Prior to COVID-19, we were heavily reliant on foreign workers, particularly in the plantation, construction, and manufacturing industries. As a result, we’d like to see them return and resume normal operations.
“Sri Lanka has always been one of Malaysia’s primary source countries for workers, particularly in manufacturing.” “There were over 20,000 Sri Lankan workers in Malaysia before COVID, and the number is now around 12,000,” the Malaysian High Commissioner told the media
MiCE Hubs Travel and Tours Chairman Abdul Nasser Bin Abu Kassim stated that his company expects the Sri Lankan economy to recover in the short to medium term, and that many Sri Lankans will travel to Malaysia for work.
Shiromal Cooray, Managing Director of Jetwing Travels, noted that her company has always wanted to get into visa processing operations because it complements its business model. “We are grateful for the opportunity to participate, and it will always be a learning experience for us.” “They processed over 60,000 visas to Malaysia in 2018, so it will be a lot of work, but it will be interesting,” she added.