SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 2018 KOTA KINABALU: Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE), Malaysia’s national trade promotion agency, took the initiative to boost the awareness on export among the Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in Sabah through its signature outreach event, Export Day 2018.

Organised for the second time in Sabah, the event took place at The Pacific Sutera Hotel in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah. Officiated by Minister of Trade and Industry (MTI) Sabah, YB Datuk Seri Panglima Wilfred Madius Tangau, the one-day event was a joint effort between MATRADE, MTI and the State Government of Sabah. Also present at the event were the MTI Permanent Secretary, Datuk Madiyem Layapan, MATRADE’s CEO Ir. Dr. Mohd. Shahreen Zainooreen Madros and Deputy CEO II MATRADE, Puan Sharimahton Mat Saleh.

This event was held in conjunction with MATRADE’s 25th Anniversary this year and was themed as ‘Celebrating 25 Years of Export Excellence’. The event was an embodiment of MATRADE’s commitment to grow the export contribution from Sabah and reflected the good synergy between the state government and federal government agencies. The Export Day 2018 in Sabah also created an opportunity and a conducive platform for the Sabahan business community to congregate and network as well as relish upon each other experiences in global business.

“This collaboration was aimed at promoting the internationalisation of Malaysian companies, particularly from Sabah. This is key in growing the nation’s economy for the benefit of the Rakyat. Bringing the Export Day to Sabah has also allowed us to identify and reach out to various parties in the export fraternity in Sabah,” said Dr. Mohd Shahreen.

The event featured briefing sessions on MATRADE’s programmes namely the Go-Ex Programme, Bumiputera Women & Youth Exporters, eTRADE Programme and Market Development Grant. Apart from the briefing sessions, MATRADE has also organised an experience sharing session by its former Trade Commissioners from Indonesia, Mumbai and Saudi Arabia. The session offered valuable market insights for the Sabahan business community, helping them to better strategise their export plan.

“Apart from appreciating the contributions of Sabahan exporters in Malaysia’s trade, the event was organised to inform local companies on the latest export opportunities around the world, strategies to win global market demands, updates on current international issues as well as MATRADE’s programme throughout 2018 available for Sabahan companies,” he added.

The participants attending the event also had the opportunity to register as a MATRADE member and seek advisory services from MATRADE. Currently there are 401 MATRADE members from Sabah and Federal Territory of Labuan and MATRADE hopes for this number to grow further.

In 2017, Malaysia’s trade was recorded at RM 1.8 trillion, with an increment of 19.2 per cent from the previous year. Malaysia’s exports have increased 18.8 percent to RM935 billion, compared to RM 787 billion registered last year. Malaysia’s imports increased by 19.7 per cent to register RM 836.4 billion.

For Sabah, the state’s trade in 2017 recorded an increase of 20 per cent to reach RM 51.9 billion and contributed 2.9 per cent to Malaysia’s total trade. Exports by the state grew by 19 per cent in 2017 to RM41.8 billion, from RM34.4 billion in the previous year, contributing 4.5 per cent to Malaysia’s total exports.

“The trade contribution by Sabahan companies has showed great improvement but there are still ample opportunities around the world for the Sabah’s industry players to tap on, in order for them to grow internationally,” said Dr. Mohd Shahreen.