FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2016, BATU PAHAT: As part of the efforts to engage with Malaysian Mid-Tier companies, Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE) organised an outreach programme (turun padang) for the Malaysian Mid-Tier companies (MTCs) under MATRADE’s signature programme, Mid-Tier Companies Development Programme (MTCDP) in Batu Pahat, Johor.

The initiative, led by Deputy Minister of International Trade and Industry (Trade) YB Datuk Chua Tee Yong, is testament to the Government’s support to Malaysian MTCs in better understanding their needs to execute export strategies.

During the outreach programme, two MTCDP participants, New Star Food Industries and Munchy Food Industries were visited by YB Datuk Chua Tee Yong and the MATRADE delegation. The visits were aimed at discussing the two companies’ future activities in areas namely securing effective distribution channels in the marketplace; intensifying market deepening in high potential markets (e.g. through strategic partnership, acquisition of companies and new business setup); collectively accessing new markets through sharing of cost and resources to improve visibility in markets: as well as collaborating with Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) to develop the SMEs into MTCs.

The MTCDP is one of the MATRADE’s high impact initiatives to further increase the exports of Malaysian MTCs. The programme targets exporting companies with annual revenues between RM50 million to RM500 million for manufacturing companies and between RM20 million to RM500 million for services. In 2015, the combined exports of 101 MTCs under MTCDP’s Wave 1 and Wave 2 had increased by 36.6 percent (or RM1.52 billion) to RM5.67 billion from RM4.15 billion in 2014.

Since its inception in 2014, the MTCDP continues to offer its unique value proposition in assisting MTCs. The participants are provided with customised assistance that provides insights and intervention tailored based on individual company’s growth and exports aspiration and challenges. The key activities of the programme, among others, include access to market intelligence; export best practice working sessions with industry or regional market experts; customised export tools; international and local investor matchmaking to access funding; technology partner introductions to accelerate innovation and growth; CEO networking and leadership forum; and working sessions with the international experts.

Upon the MTCs graduation from MTCDP, they will be absorbed under the Ramp-Up Programme – a two-year extension programme aimed at intensifying MTCs’ market access and export capabilities in new and existing key potential markets. This is to be done through targeted Market Immersion Missions and customised business matching.

Under the Ramp-Up Programme, MTCs will be introduced to the International Market Linkage Experts for them to be linked with potential foreign business partners, distributors and target customers. Other than serving as a conduit for continuing export support, the Ramp-Up Programme also monitors and tracks the progress and development of MTCs. Former graduates of MTCDP are also automatically enrolled as members of an alumni, called the CEO Club. The CEO Club is an informal avenue for MTCs to network, exchange ideas and share possible solutions on common issues.