MONDAY, 26th NOVEMBER 2018, KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE) will be championing the youth agenda by organising its inaugural Youth Export Day 2018. Set to take place on 8th December 2018 the initiative aims to encourage the country’s youth active participation in international trade.

The event will be held at the Menara MATRADE in Kuala Lumpur and will feature activities such as a talk to discuss opportunities and challenges faced by the youth in global business with Minister of International Trade & Industry YB Datuk Darell Leiking, a panel session with celebrity entrepreneurs, outdoor sports such as archery, street soccer, wall climbing and paintball, e-sports arcade, robotic shows, sales carnival, fashion tutorial and shows, graffiti and many more. Appearance from social media celebrities and artists will also be complementing the event’s line up.

The Youth Export Day 2018 will be an ideal platform to boost the awareness of Malaysian youth in international trade and the importance for them to include exporting as part of their business plan, as early as possible.

According to the MATRADE’s Chief Executive Officer, Ir. Dr. Mohd Shahreen Zainooreen Madros, the Youth Export Day will provide an avenue for youth under the age of 40 to congregate and expand their business network. “As the national trade promotion agency, MATRADE sees this effort as a proactive measure to improve the awareness in international trade among the local youth. The event is timely as there is a vibrant entrepreneurial culture among Malaysian youth. However, many of these youth entrepreneurs are still set to only focus on domestic business,” said Mohd Shahreen.

“In this context, it is imperative for MATRADE to address the issue by nurturing and guiding them to be successful globally by first creating a closer engagement with them,” he added.

Championing the youth agenda in international trade is in line with ASEAN’s aspirations as stated in the ASEAN 2025 Blueprint that aims to improve people-to-people connectivity, technology transfer and knowledge sharing among the young.

“ASEAN has a high young population and they have a strong consumer power. More than 70 per cent of ASEAN population today comprised people under 45 years old and they play a huge role in the nation’s workforce apart from driving the economy,”

Mohd Shahreen said, “Today, the youth can enjoy faster market access thanks to the digital platforms. MATRADE is ever-ready to help guide and support them in terms of providing market intelligence, export know-how and export opportunities so they too can expand their business to over 234 markets that Malaysia is currently trading with.”

Admission to Youth Export Day 2018 is free and the first 2000 visitors will receive special gifts at the event. For more information, please visit MATRADE’s social media page on Facebook, go to the event’s Instagram (Youth Export Day) or log on to the event’s website www.youthexportday.com.