Perbadanan Pembangunan Perdagangan Luar Malaysia

NEC FORMULATES FURTHER EXPORT ENHANCEMENT INITIATIVES

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2016, PUTRAJAYA: The National Export Council (NEC) convened for the third time this year with a number of strategies to accelerate exports amid the challenging global economic scenario.

Chaired by the Prime Minister of Malaysia YAB Dato’ Sri Mohd Najib bin Tun Haji Abdul Razak, the meeting deliberated on initiatives and action plans to increase exports.

At the meeting, Bank Negara Malaysia highlighted developments and the outlook of Malaysia's current account in the Balance of Payment. The meeting concluded that efforts to increase exports of products and services must be intensified to ensure that Malaysia continues to enjoy a healthy surplus in our current account. Efforts should also be taken to increase utilisation of local products and services in a number of mega construction projects.

The meeting also discussed initiatives under the Logistics and Trade Facilitation Masterplan. NEC recognised that it is important to ensure that Malaysia has a dynamic export ecosystem in the areas of logistics and trade regulations that are conducive to trade. Several measures have been implemented such as the improvement in the standard operating procedures on movement of goods to reduce processes and documentation by companies, saving time and costs for the industry. The Government, especially through the Malaysia Productivity Corporation (MPC) and The Royal Malaysian Customs, will continue its efforts to further streamline procedures to facilitate exports.

For the automotive industry, strategies to increase its exports encompass initiatives to raise competitiveness of local manufacturers, product diversification and amplifying export promotion in high potential markets. In 2015, Malaysia exported auto parts and components worth RM9.8 billion and imported RM11.7 billion. By 2020, it is aimed for the deficit to be reduced by half.

For the aerospace industry, the export strategy laid out is in line with the Malaysian Aerospace Industry Blueprint 2030, which focuses on capturing new markets and strengthening the local supply chain. The strategies include integrating Malaysian aerospace players into the global supply chain of Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) and major Tier 1 suppliers, growing the Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul services and developing Malaysia into a hub for OEM operations. In 2015, Malaysia’s exports of aircraft and associated equipment amounted to RM4.2 billion while imports were recorded at RM10 billion.

The NEC had also endorsed the need to attract more healthcare travellers to Malaysia in efforts to boost export contribution of medical services to Malaysia’s economy. By 2020, it is targeted to generate export revenue of RM2.8 billion with a stretch target of RM4.2 billion. The Government will implement new measures to attract and facilitate arrival of healthcare travellers.

Following the meeting, a launch on a brand awareness campaign on exports by Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE) called Beyond Nations took place. The campaign is targeted at socialising (merakyatkan) exports.

The campaign was launched by Prime Minister of Malaysia, YAB Dato’ Sri Mohd Najib Bin Tun Haji Abdul Razak at the Prime Minister’s Office. The Beyond Nations campaign’s main objective is to encourage more SMEs to export. The campaign's main pillars are to communicate, educate and nurture SMEs, especially first-time exporters.

The effort is one of the government’s continuous initiatives to increase SMEs’ contribution to exports, currently 17.6% to 23% by 2020.

KHAMIS, 18 OGOS, 2016, KUALA LUMPUR: Perbadanan Pembangunan Perdagangan Luar Malaysia (MATRADE) hari ini menganjurkan Sambutan Kemerdekaan Malaysia yang ke-59 dengan tema ‘Aspirasi Eksport Malaysia’ di Menara MATRADE dalam usaha merakyatkan badan promosi eksport negara itu yang juga adalah agensi di bawah Kementerian Antarabangsa dan Industri (MITI).

Acara ini menyaksikan pemberian Anugerah Peneraju Eksport buat julung kalinya kepada 16 jaguh-jaguh eksport Malaysia yang terdiri daripada komuniti perniagaan Malaysia daripada pelbagai segmen. Antara kategori yang disenaraikan adalah Kategori Wanita, Belia, Terbuka, Penggerak Eksport Negara, Harapan Industri Kreatif Negara dan Selebriti Eksport.

Antara penerima Anugerah Peneraju Eksport adalah Media Prima Berhad, Ramly Food Processing Sdn Bhd, Fareeda Global Resources Sdn Bhd, Nelson’s Franchise (M) Sdn Bhd, Eversendai Corporation Berhad, Persatuan Usahawan Muda ASEAN (MAAYE) dan banyak lagi.

Menurut Ketua Pegawai Eksekutif MATRADE Dato’ Dzulkifli Mahmud sambutan Kemerdekaan ke-59 anjuran MATRADE ini diadakan untuk menghargai semangat patriotik komuniti perniagaan yang memberi sumbangan kepada negara melalui aktiviti perniagaan eksport mereka.

“MATRADE berpendapatan bahawa eksport adalah satu agen yang membantu negara kita berkembang dan jaguh-jaguh eksport ini perlu dihargai kerana sumbangan mereka boleh dilihat sebagai satu simbol sifat patriotik dalam diri mereka. Aktiviti eskport mereka bukan sahaja menambah pendapatan negara tetapi turut membuka lebih peluang pekerjaan yang telah membantu menaik taraf kehidupan rakyat di Malaysia,” kata beliau.

Selain itu, para veteran juga turut dihargai di acara ini yang antaranya terdiri daripada Persatuan Veteran Angkatan Tentera Malaysia, Bekas Polis Diraja Malaysia (PDRM) dan Persatuan Kebajikan Skuad 69 PDRM.

“Warga veteran ini memainkan peranan yang amat penting kepada kesejahteraan kita pada hari ini. Tanpa mereka, mungkin sukar untuk kita menikmati keadaan ekonomi yang baik pada hari ini,” ujar Dato’ Dzulkifli.

MATRADE berharap penghargaan yang diberikan pada hari ini akan mencetus semangat kepada ahli komuniti perniagaan Malaysia yang lain untuk melibatkan diri dalam eksport sekaligus menyumbang kepada kesejahteraan ekonomi negara.

Jumlah perdagangan Malaysia pada separuh pertama 2016 telah berkembang 1.3% kepada RM704 bilion, daripada RM694.98 bilion yang dicatatkan pada separuh pertama tahun lepas. Pengembangan ini disokong perdagangan dengan Amerika Syarikat, ASEAN, China, Kesatuan Eropah (EU), Bangladesh, Turki dan Mexico.

Pada tempoh tersebut, eksport meningkat 1.2% atau RM4.56 bilion kepada RM372.9 bilion dan import naik 1.4% atau RM4.46 bilion kepada RM331.11 bilion. Lebihan dagangan sebanyak RM41.79 bilion telah direkodkan pada separuh pertama 2016 berbanding RM41.69 bilion yang dicatatkan di durasi yang sama pada 2015.

Prestasi lebih baik yang direkodkan pada separuh pertama 2016 telah disumbang sebahagiannya oleh pertumbuhan perdagangan pada bulan Jun 2016 yang meningkat sebanyak 5.7% tahun ke tahun kepada RM127.38 bilion. Eksport pada bulan Jun 2016 pulih dengan catatan pertumbuhan 3.4% kepada RM66.45 bilion, setelah merekodkan pertumbuhan negatif pada Mei 2016. Import meningkat sebanyak 8.3% atau RM4.65 bilion kepada RM60.93 bilion.

Lebihan dagangan pada bulan Jun 2016 berjumlah RM5.52 bilion, menjadikannya lebihan dagangan yang ke-224 bulan berturut-turut dicatatkan sejak November 1997.

MALAYSIAN INC MEET WITH UGANDAN OFFICIALS TO SHOWCASE MALAYSIAN CAPABILITIES IN PROPERTY DEVELOPMENT

MONDAY, AUGUST 22, 2016, KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysian Incorporated Services Berhad (Malaysian Inc) is closer to creating a foothold in Uganda through a mixed development project in Kampala City, Republic of Uganda. The business conglomerate through a seminar held today will be presenting their capabilities for the Kampala City project to the Minister of State for Urban Development, Ministry of Land, Housing and Urban Development, Republic of Uganda, the Hon. Mr. Musumba Isaac.

The seminar organised by Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE), which also acts as Malaysian Inc facilitator, saw the attendance of more than 20 Malaysian developers, contractors and other professional service providers to deliver a presentation on their expertise to the Ugandan officials. The proposed mixed development spans over 1,000 acres within the Satellite city in Mukono District, located some 20 to 30 kilometres outside of Kampala City.

According to MATRADE’s Chief Executive Officer Dato’ Dzulkifli Mahmud, the Malaysian companies present at the event today will be able to explain their expertise and experiences in great length and this will provide an insight to the Ugandan government on how they can emulate similar strategies for their Kampala City project. The presentation, apart from creating stronger awareness on Malaysia’s capabilities in property development, will encourage the Ugandan government to engage with Malaysian Inc as its project collaborator.

Malaysian Inc that was incepted in April this year comprises Malaysian professionals from multiple disciplines in the services sector such as architecture and engineering, among others. It was a brainchild of the National Professional Services Export Council (NAPSEC) and is tasked to act as an enabler and value-creating consortium to bid, secure and participate in international projects and support the export of Malaysian services.

“Malaysian service providers are well recognised globally and Africa is Malaysia’s top emerging market. There’s an abundance of opportunities yet to be explored by our players there, particularly in Uganda. We are confident they will do well in this area as Malaysia has already showcased various capabilities in road construction, development of residential and golf courses, institutions of higher education, bio metric projects, plantations, manufacturing and petroleum projects around the African region,” said Dato’ Dzulkifli.

He added that Malaysian Inc embodies a strategic partnership between the public and private sector in accelerating the exports of Malaysian services – one of country’s high value export segments.

In Malaysia, the services sector accounts for about 55 percent of our Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and remains a key driver of growth for the Malaysian economy. The contribution of services to GDP is on an increasing trend and by 2020, the contribution of services is targeted to reach 56.5 percent. However, the export contribution of services is declining. Last year, the export performance for Malaysian services was on a deficit, down by 2.6 percent or RM110.26 million.

The Government, through its many initiatives such as the Services Export Fund and the introduction of Services Export Blueprint last year, among many others, will drive the growth of Malaysia’s export in services. Complementing this is the National Export Council that has also endorsed Malaysian Inc as a body to push the export of Malaysian services to greater heights.

The event held between Malaysian Inc and the Uganda officials today complements Malaysian Inc previous initiatives since its introduction four months ago. One of the initiatives were two exchanges of documents between Malaysian Inc, CIDB Holdings Sdn Bhd and Regions-Russia Association. The collaboration was to establish a business platform to promote and enhance business co-operation between Malaysian Inc’s members and CIDB as well as Regions-Russia Association’s members; to organise joint events in the International markets and Malaysia; to promote and identify business opportunities in the sectors of common interests’ to encourage exchange of technology, professional services and expertise; and to establish business joint ventures and smart partnerships.

TRADETALK@MATRADE: ACCESSING CHINA MARKET EFFECTIVELY

THURSDAY, AUGUST 18, 2016, KUALA LUMPUR: Given China’s significance as Malaysia’s largest trading partner, Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE) organised a TradeTalk@MATRADE titled “Embracing China: How to Export Effectively to China” to help Malaysian exporters learn effective ways to penetrate China.

Held at Menara MATRADE, the seminar was attended by more than 500 participants and was officiated by Minister of International Trade & Industry (MITI) II YB Dato’ Seri Ong Ka Chuan. Also present was the Ambassador of the People's Republic of China to Malaysia H.E Dr Huang Huikang.

The seminar was part of MATRADE’s many efforts to provide exporters with an overview and updates on the China market specifically on topics like market entry procedures and regulations, export documentation as well as utilisation of e-Commerce as cost-effective platforms to create a strong foothold in China.

According to MATRADE’s Chief Executive Officer Dato’ Dzulkifli Mahmud the seminar provides an avenue for Malaysian companies particularly Small and Medium Enterprises to keep abreast with the consumer trends in China. “The seminar is timely as the Chinese government is aggressively reforming China’s economy making it imperative for Malaysian exporters to enhance their understanding on the benefits and challenges to sustain their market share in China,” said Dato’ Dzulkifli.

At the event, YB Dato’ Seri Ong Ka Chuan had urged Malaysian companies to embark on diversification in creating more high-value products rather than merely producing consumer goods like food and beverages.  He iterated the role of e-Commerce in China which is growing rapidly resulting in the mushrooming of various e-marketplaces, of which Malaysian exporters could benefit greatly from.

During the seminar, the China Certification & Inspection Group (CCIC) Malaysia Commodities Inspection Sdn Bhd, an inspection agency accredited by the State Administration of Quality Supervision Import & Quarantine (AQSIQ) of China had deliberated on aspects revolving around market entry procedures, rules and regulation as well as certifications.  Additionally, the Trade and Industry Support Unit from MITI was also invited to provide insights on the procedures of necessary export documentation, especially on how to apply for Form E under the China ASEAN FTA before the exporters could export to China.

The seminar had also highlighted the importance for companies to adopt the latest technology and embrace innovation to increase productivity efficiently and production capacity in meeting the supply requirement to the huge China market - especially to its 2nd and 3rd tier cities. These efforts will ultimately help Malaysia achieve its export target of USD160 billion by 2017.

Trade with China in quarter one of 2016 expanded by 2% to RM108.85 billion. Higher exports were registered for products namely, manufactures of metal, optical and scientific equipment, metalliferous ores as well as chemicals and chemical products.