Well known among the business community as an International Offshore Financial Centre, Labuan is also fast becoming popular as an 

island resort. 

The rich marine life in the waters of Labuan attract many sport-fishing enthusiasts for year round fishing. The interiors of some of the bigger islands are covered with dense jungles rich with flora and fauna. In the surrounding waters of Labuan island are several wrecks that are dive havens with their rich marine life.

 The island also has facili­ties for golfing, angling and yachting. Last but not least, duty free shopping is another draw. These attractions along with its vibrant nightlife make Labuan the ideal choice as a business holiday, holiday and getaway destination.

Labuan was part of the Majapahit Empire until its collapse in the 14th century. Then, it was ruled by the Sultan of Brunei until 1846 when it was ceded to the British in that year. It was a strategic re-fueling station for British 

steamships and was subsequently established as a free port.  Labuan was a British naval base used to fight the pirates in Brunei Bay and was also the only significant coal-mining center of the then British Empire in the Far East in 1987.  The main town of the island was named Victoria, after Queen Victoria.  During the Japanese occupation the island was renamed Maida Island. Labuan as part of Sabah, joined Malaysia in 1963, and was subsequently declared as 

Federal Territory in 1984. 

The main town is now known as Bandar Labuan. More than 53% of the island’s 80,000 population claim Brunei-Malay descendants. Numbering slightly less are the Kedayan who claim Java origins. There are also the local Chinese as well as immigrant Fillipinos and Indonesians.  

As a duty-free port, it offers great bargain shopping and is a haven for branded imports. You can go to a posh shopping complex, jostle with bargain hunters during a cheap sale in a department store or sweat it out in a night market. 

The main shopping hubs are at Jalan OKK Awang Besar, Lazenda Commercial Centre, and the Financial Park Building. Textiles, jewelry, perfume, electrical appliances, sports equipment, kitchenware, alcohol, and 

cigarettes are popular buys.  

Getting There

Lying just eight km off the western coast of Borneo, one of the world's largest islands, Labuan is accessible daily by air from Kuala Lumpur, the capi­tal of Malaysia. Beside Kuala Lumpur, Kota Kinabalu also serves as the international gateway for Labuan. Royal Brunei also flies direct to Labuan. High speed air‑conditioned ferries ply daily to Labuan from Sabah, Sarawak and Brunei. The average traveling time to these destinations is about two hours.

Labuan ~ an International Offshore Financial Centre

In 1990, Labuan was declared as an International Offshore Financial Centre. Compared to International Offshore Financial Centres in Europe and the Caribbean, Labuan offers many advantages. First, it is in a low operating cost environment in terms of physical facilities and pro­fessional fees.

Second, apart from easy accessibility, Labuan shares a similar time zone with major cities in Asia; this means phone calls can be made during the same office hours. Thirdly, the corporate tax rate imposed on offshore companies is among the lowest in the world: 3 percent of net profit or merely RM20,000 which ever is chosen by the company.

Fourth, dealing with the government is easy, as there is a one stop regulatory agency, the Labuan Offshore Financial Services Authority. Offshore businesses are regulated by a separate set of offshore regulations. Numerous double tax agreements and Investment Guarantee Agree­ments have been signed with many countries. The latter provide foreign investors with, amongst others, protection against nationalisation and expropriation. Only "fit and proper" persons are allowed to operate in Labuan. Finally, the operations of offshore institutions are completely free from exchange control regulations when dealing with non residents.

The Financial Park at Jalan Merdeka houses the international offshore banks, insurance and trust com­panies. There is also a 1,500 seating capacity conven­tion hall and a large shopping mall, This modern complex is reputed to be the only one of its kind to be found in any IOFC throughout the world.  

Labuan Market  -  Labuan Square  -  War Cemetery - Surrender Point & Peace Park - Kampong Ayer - Tanjung Kubong Tunnel - Labuan Bird Park - The Chimney

Labuan Map

Sport Fishing

Ideal for sports fishermen offers ideal diving conditions all year round for both professionals and amateurs divers. Four wrecks await exploration.

Labuan Marine Park

Consisting of three secluded islelets of Rusukan Kecil, Rusukan Besar and Kuraman.

Labuan Shipwrecks

Wreak diving enthusiasts can dive on four wreaks of the islands of Labuan

  - American Wreck - Australian Wreck - 

Cement Wreck - Blue Water Wreck.