Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2014, KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation’s (MATRADE) annual event that unites local businesses and International buyers, INTRADE 2014, was successfully held on 20 to 22 October in the capital city of Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur. The 8th edition of the event was organised at MATRADE Exhibition Convention Centre.

Focusing on lifestyle products and services from Malaysia, INTRADE 2014 saw the participation of exhibitors from 335 local companies and 77 International firms. Among the exhibitors from overseas were from Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Turkey, Spain, Belgium, Ecuador, Fiji, Algeria, Mauritius, South Africa and all the ASEAN countries. With the aim to foster business collaborations between local businesses and International companies, the event had successfully attracted over 8,700 people.

Exhibitors at INTRADE 2014 showcased a wide range of lifestyle products from Fashion, Apparel & Textiles; Accessories, Footwear & Jewellery; Cosmetics, Toiletries, Health & Wellness; Gifts, Souvenirs & Stationery and Home Products & Interiors.

In conjunction with INTRADE 2014, the inaugural Malaysia Fashion Week 2014 (MFW) was held bringing together Malaysian and international fashion distributors to an exclusive trade exhibition - FACIT (Fashion, Art, Cosmetics, Interiors and Textile).

Amongst the leading exhibitors involved in FACIT trade exhibition were local jeweller Habib Jewels, shoe designer Nelissa Hilman, cosmetics and personal care experts Grace Cosmetics, spa products manufacturer Tanamera, household products manufacturers Pensonic and Ogawa and sports accessories brand Hypergear. Leading fashion designers Melinda Looi, Bill Keith, Radzuan Radziwill, Bon Zainal, Carven Ong, Joe Chia and Asha Karim had also graced the event.

“It was great to have such a support from MATRADE and this was definitely the right avenue for young Malaysian designers to be introduced to the International buyers. This way, local designers can be guaranteed a continued success in their businesses and it goes beyond the local market,” said the promising young fashion designer Joe Chia.

Sharing his thoughts were Raj Aria, Managing Director of BON Fashion Legacy Sdn Bhd who said that MFW was an amazing effort as it was aimed at putting Malaysia on the global fashion map. It also gave both local and Asian designers a chance to showcase their creativity and talent to the International audience.

This ground breaking event showcased a series of glitzed and trendy fashion shows that featured the Spring/Summer 2015 collections from 65 talented local and International designers from 15 countries. Complementing the fashion shows were the glamourous and stylish gala nights attended by the who’s who in the fashion world.

The MFW was a historical occasion as it was the first trade fashion event organised by MATRADE in partnership with a private sector, STYLO International. Such collaboration between a government agency and private entity was the first of its kind for the country.

The success of INTRADE 2014 and MFW 2014 will serve as a catalyst for greater market access and business expansion for Malaysia’s soft exports in the global arena. Next year, INTRADE 2015 will be held in October and promises more exciting programmes to enhance the International presence of local lifestyle businesses.