Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation

SATURDAY, 22 JUNE 2019, KUALA LUMPUR: In the current world economic context, Malaysian exporters must embark on strategic ways to mitigate the impact of geopolitical challenges by diversifying their export markets. Based on this view, Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE) is ramping up its efforts to find new emerging markets for Malaysian exporters by exploring the Oceania region through an Export Acceleration Mission (EAM) to New Zealand and Fiji set to take place from 23 to 28 June 2019.

The EAM will be participated by 28 Malaysian companies offering various products and services in sectors such as construction services & building materials, Food & Beverages, Halal, lifestyle, ICT, personal care products & cosmetics, medical & health products as well as machinery & equipment.

During the EAM, MATRADE through its Melbourne, Australia office will be coordinating over 200 one-on-one business meetings with leading importers and buyers. Complementing this, Malaysian companies will also have the opportunity to participate in a number of roundtable discussions with local chambers of commerce, trade associations and relevant authorities as well as attending a number of networking sessions and visits to major retailers and supermarkets in New Zealand and Fiji.

“Although New Zealand is an agricultural exporting country, there are opportunities for us to export high quality Halal products to meet the demand of the growing Muslim population there. New Zealand also offers prospects in the construction sector and we see a lot of possibilities for Malaysian companies to provide building materials and construction services for the market,” Mr. Raja Badrulnizam Raja Kamalzaman, Director for ASEAN and Oceania at MATRADE said.

“Similarly for Fiji, there are also various opportunities for Malaysian companies. This is the first time that MATRADE is organising an export mission to Fiji. The country currently records an economic growth rate of 3.8 percent annually, higher than other countries in the region. “Fiji is also known as a trading and distribution hub for the South Pacific islands region. The market poses high demand for construction services & building materials as well as lifestyle products such as furniture due to the increased infrastructure development and tourism projects outlined in the Fijian Government’s economic plans”, shared Raja Badrulnizam.

According to Ms. Jamilah Ibrahim, MATRADE’s Trade Commissioner based in Melbourne, who is responsible for Oceania region, “The response from New Zealand and Fijian companies has been great based on the interest expressed to meet with the Malaysian delegation.” In 2018, New Zealand was the 2nd largest trading partner in the region with total trade value of RM 8.1 billion, while Fiji was the 4th largest with total trade of RM 325.4 million. There have been several success stories of Malaysian brands available in these two markets such as Julie’s, Hernan Food and Hup Seng.

Malaysian companies keen to know more about the Oceania markets are urged to contact MATRADE trade office in Melbourne via email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or any of MATRADE’s social media platforms (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram & LinkedIn).