MONDAY, 7 SEPTEMBER 2020, KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE) in collaboration with Ministry of Finance and the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) has released a comprehensive directory that lists Malaysian expertise who are able to provide capacity development solutions to IsDB member countries.

The directory, called Mapping Malaysia’s Resource Centres (MMRC) contains information on Malaysian Organisations (referred to as Resource Centres) comprising Government agencies, private institutions and companies

.The directory constitutes Malaysia’s participation in the IsDB Reverse Linkage Programme, a South-South Cooperation mechanism that addresses specific development solutions in IsDB Member Countries. It facilitates a mutually beneficial arrangement between countries, involving transfer and provision of expertise, knowledge and technology by provider countries to countries in need of the services.

As the appointed Malaysia’s focal point for IsDB’s Reverse Linkage Programme, MATRADE coordinates the participation of both public and private sectors alongside IsDB in providing Malaysian expertise to help develop priority sectors in IsDB member countries. MATRADE’s publication of the MMRC directory enlisted more than 60 Resource Centres from various sectors, among others include construction and related services, logistics, Islamic finance, agriculture and R&D, oil & gas related services and information and communication technology (ICT).

In addition to a record of high performance, these Resource Centres have been selected based on their impeccable work ethics and willingness to share and strengthen knowledge within their respective fields. Several of these Resource Centres have successfully participated in Reverse Linkage projects previously. For example, in 2016, a project on sustainable rice production in Suriname was example, in 2016, a project on sustainable rice production in Suriname was undertaken by a Malaysian government agency to help the country achieve and maintain self-sufficiency in rice production and increase the export of high-quality rice.

Malaysia’s participation in the Reverse Linkage programme and publication of the MMRC directory are part of a concerted effort to induce sustainability and elevate prosperity in the context of South-South Cooperation. Forging these strategic partnerships will open mutually beneficial trade linkages between Malaysia and other IsDB Member Countries in addition to spurring Malaysia’s growth.

The publication of the MMRC is another landmark in the longstanding partnershipbetween Malaysia and the IsDB. This cooperation is further strengthened through the transformation of the IsDB Regional Office in Kuala Lumpur, which was established in1994, to a Center of Excellence. It serves as a gateway between Malaysia and otherMember Countries of the IsDB, facilitating the exchange of development solutions including know-how, technology, tools, and investments in Islamic Finance, Halal Industry, Science Technology and Innovation (STI), Reverse Linkage and Resources Mobilization.

The MMRC directory can be accessed for free on MATRADE’s e-book viewingThe MMRC directory can be accessed for free on MATRADE’s e-book viewingplatform at http://www.matrade.gov.my/documents/ebook/mmrc_2020/, alongsidewith numerous publications related to international trade and working with Malaysianbusinesses.

For more information on MATRADE, its events and services, visitwww.matrade.gov.my.