THURSDAY, 29 OCTOBER 2020, KUALA LUMPUR: The #MyAPEC2020 exhibition has amassed over 6,000 registered viewers on the online platform in just under 2 months since its commencement as the first-ever APEC exhibition of its kind.

Converting the exhibition from physical format into one that functions online entirely, was a direct response by Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE) to rapid digitalisation around the world, catalysed by the restrictions and social distancing guidelines put in place from the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to MATRADE’s CEO, Dato’ Wan Latiff Wan Musa, in order to successfully adapt to the new normal, Malaysian companies are urged to embrace technology and to conduct their business digitally. “MATRADE’s initiative to organise the #MyAPEC2020 Virtual Exhibition not only provides business opportunities for companies from Malaysia and other APEC economies to engage with foreign buyers, but also acts as a platform for them to adapt to virtual engagements”, he said.

Since its launch on 1 September 2020, over 300 buyers from 51 economies have registered in the platform, with the top 5 being Malaysia, Australia, Myanmar, Indonesia and Japan. The #MyAPEC2020 Exhibition is currently hosting over 300 companies comprising both Malaysian and international companies from APEC Member Economies. These companies promote products and services from 8 targeted sectors namely Healthcare, Green Tech & Energy, Professional & Business Services, Building Materials, Transport & Logistics, Lifestyle, Technology as well as Innovative F&B and Agrofood sectors.

The web-based exhibition platform includes features that create an immersive business environment such as Business Pitching - with 32 pitching sessions having been carried out, showcasing companies from all the targeted sectors. Viewers were provided the opportunity to contact the respective companies through real-time communications facilities during these sessions.

In addition, 34 Virtual B2B Meetings have so far been arranged between exhibitors and local buyers from Malaysia as well as with foreign buyers from the USA, Japan, China, Australia, Saudi Arabia and Turkey, among others. The exhibition also hosts Webinars, having broadcasted 4 live presentations on key topics with chat features for participants to engage in Q&A.

“In view of the travel restrictions around the world where face-to-face meetings are limited, MATRADE would like to encourage more Malaysian companies to leverage on the B2B Meeting platform on #MyAPEC2020 Virtual Exhibition. Through this initiative, Malaysian exporters will be connected to international buyers that are interested to source product and services from Malaysia, arranged by 46 MATRADE overseas offices located all over the world,” Wan Latiff added.

MATRADE will continue to host the #MyAPEC2020 exhibition until 31 December 2020, serving as a business engagement platform for companies from APEC Member Economies to network among themselves and also with the global business community.