TUESDAY, 31 JANUARY 2017, KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE) announced the appointment of Ir Dr Mohd Shahreen Zainooreen B. Madros as MATRADE's new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) following the retirement of his predecessor Dato' Dzulkifli Mahmud on 31 January 2017. Dr Mohd Shahreen will assume the new responsibility starting from 2 February 2017.

Dr Mohd Shahreen who was an Executive Director at Malaysia Petroleum Resources Corporation (MPRC) prior to his position at MATRADE, is upbeat on the appointment and aspires to continue strengthening MATRADE's solid foundation as Malaysia's export promotion agency.

"Moving forward, it is imperative for MATRADE to continue forging strategic partnerships with all relevant stakeholders in both private and public sector such as various Ministries, Agencies, Trade Associations, Chambers of Commerce and Business Councils. This is to ensure Malaysia will remain competitive at the global front," said Dr Shahreen.

He added that such partnerships will have a direct influence to the local business community and with all stakeholders moving together to achieve the same goal – to contribute to the wellbeing of the economy – Malaysia will remain as one of the top trading nations in the world.

Dr Shahreen who is the seventh CEO of MATRADE holds a First Class Honors degree from University of London in 1986 and a Doctorate from University of Cambridge in 1989. Prior to MATRADE and MPRC, he was with Esso Production Malaysia Inc (EPMI) and was assigned to Exxon Production Research Company in Houston, Texas for two years. After EPMI, Dr Shahreen joined INTEC Engineering and was involved in offshore design consultancy works for local and international clients.

MATRADE as the national export promotion agency is a body under the Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI). Its main role is to drive the exports of Malaysian products and services to the world. For the past 23 years since its establishment, MATRADE plays a key role in sustaining Malaysia's trade surplus, which Malaysia has enjoyed for 19th consecutive years.

Among its services include providing trade advisory and market intelligence; organising Exporters Development Programme, International Sourcing Programme and Export Acceleration Mission. To date, MATRADE has 46 trade offices around the world that function to identify new export opportunities and to connect Malaysian companies with foreign buyers. For more details on MATRADE, visit www.matrade.gov.my.