DESPITE COFFEE SHOP GROANS ABOUT THE PRICE OF SUGAR, KL CONTINUES TO BOAST ONE OF THE LOWEST COSTS OF LIVING AMONG THE CAPITALS IN THE REGION. SARAH REES TAKES A LOOK AT HOW FINANCIAL INCENTIVES MAKE KL A REAL GEM FOR FOREIGNERS LOOKING FOR A NEW PLACE TO LIVE AND WORK.

KL has it all, and while locals may only see traffic jams and pollution, foreigners are discovering a land of plenty, where they can upgrade their lifestyle while enjoying all the pleasures this vibrant capital has to offer. Despite the steady stream of foreigners coming to retire in Malaysia, the vast majority of expats have washed up on the shores of this tropical haven for work.

Businesses large and small have been attracted to Malaysia for many years thanks to the country's speedy rate of development and the continuing, blossoming opportunities here. InvestKL is one of the initiatives spreading the word to international businesses on the assets of the capital. This company, formed in 2010 as part of the Economic Transformation Programme (ETP), is striving to reach its goal of attracting 100 multinationals to set up headquarters in KL by 2020.Thanks to the city's wealth of opportunities, InvestKL is quietly confident. "The capital city is a catalyst for growth," explains Zainal Amanshah, CEO of InvestKL, "and there a lot of opportunities here for multinationals."

KL is well-positioned in Southeast Asia for companies to do business, and one of the huge factors in persuading companies to invest here is the fact that living costs are, for a modern city, extraordinarily low.

Asia has always attracted tourists and expats thanks to the lower cost of amenities, but KL manages to offer western expats a significantly lower price tag on their existence than any of the neighbouring Asian capitals. According to the Mercer's 2011 Cost of Living report, KL remains one of the least expensive major cities in the world. In a survey of 214 cities, KL ranked just 104th, while Singapore was an eye-watering 8th and Tokyo came in 2nd. Many people assume that nearby Indonesia and Thailand offer a lower cost of living, and yet Jakarta ranked 69th and Bangkok came in 88th.

"KL is marvellously inexpensive by Western standards," writes Wendy Justice, the Asia correspondent for the American advice website, Live and Invest Overseas. "You can realistically expect to cut your living expenses by a third."

Malaysians may take for granted the price of things such as petrol, groceries, and transport, but anyone who arrives in KL from Europe or America is astounded to find these vital amenities cost so little.

As of April 2012, UK petrol prices were at GBP1.40 (RM6.90) per litre, so it's easy to see why British expats delight in paying just RM1.90 per litre in their new home.

These staggering savings spread across all manner of amenities, and even nearby Singapore can't compete when it comes to living costs. According to Numebeo, a free database that compares country living costs, groceries are 67% more expensive in Singapore than Malaysia, while rent costs a terrifying 650% more in Singapore! American housewife Teri Vidrine has moved with her husband to various cities in the world, but finds KL compares favourably. "Housing prices here are much less expensive and we are able to afford a much nicer place than in Russia," she explains. "In Azerbaijan, the low quality of housing was a big source of frustration, but for the most part, that is not an issue here either. Being able to hire household help is a big bonus and maids' salaries are more affordable than in the States."

As expat spouses are often the ones who have to purchase the groceries and balance the books, their experience of costs and lifestyle is almost more important than that of their working partners. Shelagh McKay is a Scottish housewife living in the centre of the capital and finds that, "overall, things are cheaper here in KL than at home in the UK. We definitely find eating out, taking the LRT, and buying petrol much cheaper.

My family and I enjoy a higher standard of living here than we would in Scotland." Not only is the cost of living low, the cost of doing business is also low, and the latter is one of the key reasons that so many companies are attracted to the country. Thanks to lower rentals on office space, lower salaries, and cheap connecting flights throughout the region,multinationals and their employees can see the benefits of running their business from KL.

British-born Kieran McCarry came to Malaysia on an expat package a number of years ago and has enjoyed a very comfortable standard of living. "My lifestyle was always going to be better here, as my housing and my children's education was paid for by the company." He is the owner of Clarisound Hearing Care, and while he and his family are wellcatered to financially, he has also found costs to be competitive in the workplace. "Salaries are lower here so labour costs are low," he says, "and I don't think will change in the near future." It seems KL is set to be an affordable business option for many years to come.

With low costs for living and working combining with the opportunity for a higher standard of living in a country of endless sunshine, the decision to move to KL is a simple one. If their foreign workers are willing to move their lives for their job, then there can be no reason why multinational companies themselves can't flourish here in one of the few cities in the region that combines affordable living costs with a booming, business scene and an attractive, comfortable environment. With this in mind, it seems it will only be a matter of time before InvestKL achieves its goal and helps to transform this nation into a world player by 2020.