TUESDAY, 10 DECEMBER 2019, KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE) has identified a huge potential to boost Malaysia-Republic of Korea (ROK) trade collaborations in high-value and high technology-driven industries following its participation in 2019 ASEAN-ROK Commemorative Summit in Busan recently. The high-value sectors include transportation, electrical vehicle, high-speed rail and train, Halal, Chemicals and financing.

Malaysia’s participation at the Summit was led by Malaysian Prime Minister, YAB Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad and was also supported by Malaysian Government bodies such as Malaysia Investment Development Authority (MIDA), Halal Development Industry Corporation (HDC), Invest Selangor and Tourism Malaysia.

In conjunction with the Summit, two Malaysian exhibitors who are also MATRADE members namely Usaha Strategik Sdn Bhd and We Build Easy Sdn Bhd have taken part in a showcase. At the showcase, the companies received many enquiries from other countries keen to source for their services. Usaha Strategik Sdn Bhd is a fully-owned Bumiputera company that is involved in sustainable and quality biomass fuel pallet research, which demand can be found in the ROK, Japan and China. Meanwhile, We Build East Sdn Bhd specialises in re-shaping the future of property ownership by providing end-to-end services, using immersive and emerging technologies to showcase properties across South-East Asia.

“This engagement was a stepping stone for us to introduce our biomass products which derived from palm oil waste, and expand our business globally. A big thank you to MATRADE and MIDA for trusting and giving us this opportunity. We hope our presence there was able to promote Malaysia in the area of sustainability too,” said Za'im Hadi Bin Meskam, Executive Director of Usaha Strategik.

“The event was an eye opener for us and an important exposure for our company to the international business community. We are very grateful to MATRADE and MIDA for the opportunity and from this participation we are able to better strategise our operations moving into 2020 and beyond,” Tan Yong Meng, Co-Founder and CEO of We Build Easy said.

According to MATRADE Trade Commissioner in ROK, Norharliza Yunos, the feedback received by the companies was overwhelming as many Koreans are aware of Malaysia’s pro-business environment and Malaysian companies capabilities to supply to the world.

“Seeing the positive response given to Malaysia, MATRADE Seoul will strengthen our engagements with the ROK’s businesses and match them with capable Malaysian companies in our database,” Norharliza said adding that in 2018, ROK was Malaysia 8th largest trading partner and is currently one of Malaysia’s key markets.

Moving forward, MATRADE will be inviting businesses in the ROK to take part in MATRADE’s iconic trade fair, Malaysia International Halal Showcase (MIHAS) 2020 which will take place from 1 – 4 April 2020 at MITEC, Kuala Lumpur. The event, also the largest Halal trade fair in the world will be an ideal platform for South Korean businesses to be introduced to Malaysian companies in the said high-value sectors.

The ASEAN-ROK Commemorative Summit was organised from 25 to 26 November by the ROK Government to celebrate the 30th Anniversary of the Establishment of ASEAN-ROK Dialogue Relations. The event has successfully gathered all ASEAN leaders and symbolises ROK’s New Southern Policy and was the largest international meeting hosted by the ROK Government.

Malaysian companies keen to access ROK are urged to contact MATRADE Seoul via email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. For more details on MATRADE’s facilitation for Malaysian companies visit www.matrade.gov.my.