TUESDAY, 6 OCTOBER 2020, KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE) has been shortlisted for the World Trade Promotion Organisation (WTPO) Awards 2020, by the Geneva-based International Trade Center (ITC), a joint agency of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) and the United Nations.

MATRADE is among the six finalists which have been nominated under the ‘Best Use of Information Technology’ category for its MyExport online service. Other trade promotion organisations (TPO) being nominated under the same category are from China, Portugal, Brazil, Georgia and United Arab Emirates.

MyExport is MATRADE’s online market intelligence platform where subscribers are able to access real-time key trade information and market intelligence such as Trade Leads, Market Alerts, Product/Services Market Study, Trade Statistics and International Tender Notices. This trade intelligence is updated daily by the 46 MATRADE’s Trade Commissioner offices across the globe.

Dato’ Wan Latiff Wan Musa, MATRADE’s Chief Executive Officer said “MATRADE has leveraged on various digital platforms in undertaking export promotion and export development initiatives. To be shortlisted as one of the finalists reflects the international recognition of MATRADE’s effort in developing innovative and effective programmes to help Malaysian exporters particularly SMEs”.

The WTPO Awards 2020, focus on outstanding performance of a trade promotion organisation’s practices in delivering export development initiative, aimed at building the capabilities of exporting enterprises to enhance the competitiveness and internationalization of SMEs. The competition is opened to all national trade promotion organisations and 60 applications were received by ITC this year, the highest number since the awards were created in 2004.

“By participating in this awards, MATRADE is able to showcase how digital platform can help Malaysian exporters to endure the COVID-19 challenges and continue to stay connected with their business partners around the world. We are delighted to be among the select group of the world’s innovative trade promotion organisations”, added Wan Latiff.

MyExport has successfully met both stages of the organisers’ selection criteria which among others requires participants to demonstrate the improvements the digital innovation had on the management, service delivery and the impact of export development initiative.

In addition to the Best Use of Information Technology category, two other categories are Best Use of Partnerships and Best initiative to ensure that trade is inclusive and sustainable. The winners for each category will be announced at the Awards Ceremony organised by ITC in Geneva on 14th October, 2020.