Mr. Matthew Barsing

MR. MATTHEW BARSING is a Malaysia based author, advisor, and business leader with more than 5 years of experience working at the intersection of policy, investment, talent, and industry development across Asia Pacific.

Originally from Australia, Matthew has lived and worked in Malaysia since 2001. Over this period, he has been closely involved in Malaysia’s economic development journey, particularly in foreign direct investment, workforce transformation, and the growth of higher value industries. His work consistently focuses on execution. How policies translate into real outcomes. How institutions perform under pressure. And how countries compete for capital, talent, and relevance in a rapidly shifting global economy.

Matthew spent 5 years working directly with the Malaysian government in investment promotion and industry development roles, supporting multinational companies as they evaluated, entered, and expanded operations in Malaysia. This experience gave him a front row view of how investor decisions are actually made, what matters beyond incentives, and where friction inside systems quietly erodes momentum.

He also spent 2 years working with the university sector, contributing to applied industry engagement and talent development initiatives. This reinforced a core theme in his work. That long term economic strength depends not only on capital and infrastructure, but on people, skills, and institutional confidence.

Matthew is currently a director at EPS, a multi country workforce and professional services firm operating across Southeast Asia and North Asia. Through this role, he works closely with boards, founders, and senior executives on workforce strategy, leadership transitions, regional expansion, and operating discipline. His exposure spans sectors including technology, advanced manufacturing, energy, shared services, and digital infrastructure. He is the author of the book Unleashing Malaysia’s Economic Potential, which examines why execution, institutions, and confidence shape long term growth more than headlines. The book draws on Matthew’s experience working inside government, alongside investors, and across regional markets. It is read by policymakers, business leaders, and professionals seeking a grounded view of Malaysia’s economic direction and competitive position.

Matthew is also a regular columnist and commentator on economic and business issues, with articles published in leading Malaysian media outlets. His writing style is direct, practical, and occasionally uncomfortable. He challenges easy narratives and focuses on what actually changes outcomes on the ground.

Across his work, Matthew brings a combination of policy insight, commercial experience, and regional perspective. He is particularly interested in how countries like Malaysia navigate global fragmentation, technology shifts, talent mobility, and the rising importance of execution in a more contested economic environment.

At conferences and panel discussions, Matthew is valued for cutting through abstraction, connecting strategy to reality, and asking the questions that many people think but few say out loud.