TalentCorphas brought home some 3,600 Malaysians back to our shores in the last four years through its Returning ExpertProgramme(REP).

A total of 5,600 has applied for theprogramme. There are more than 300,000 Malaysians living and working abroad in developing countries.

TalentCorpchief executive officer Johan Mahmood Merican denied that the REP's progress is poor despite the low number.

Johan said that the approved applicants that qualify for the REP mayseemedlike 'a drop in the ocean' but the efforts to 'satisfy' the demands of thesegroupis an enormous feat.

"The REP is not aprogrammeto attract anyone and everyone. It is targeted to assets abroad that has valuable international experience to give back to our nation," stressed Johan.

"We have noted the recommendations from the 2015 World Bank report and will continue to address the main reasons Malaysians choose to liveabroad includingsalary concerns, opportunity for career growth and livability of our country." he told Astro AWANI.

The REP which acts as a tool to attract Malaysians back offersoptional 15 percent rateon chargeable employment income for a period of 5 consecutive years. Theprogrammealso promises to expedite foreign spouse andchildreneligibility for Permanent Resident status. REP also gives tax exemption on one car per successful applicant up to RM150,000.

According to TalentCorp's data, Malaysians abroad who has applied for theprogrammeare working abroadatSingapore, China, United Kingdom, Australia, America and Qatar. Their backgroundareacross industries from the business sectors, oil, gas & energy, financial services and the communication, content & infrastructure sectors.

TalentCorp's dataalsorevealed leadingcompanies leveraging on the REP include Standard Chartered Bank Malaysia Berhad, Malayan Banking Berhad, OSRAM Opto Semiconductors Malaysia and Schlumberger (M) Sdn Bhd.

The government has pledged its commitment to revise the REP to remain relevant to those who intend to apply.