Perbadanan Pembangunan Perdagangan Luar Malaysia

Thursday, April 21st, 2016, Kuala Lumpur: Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE) is gearing ups its efforts to improve the awareness of Malaysian services providers in export, by organising the first ever Services Export Forum 2016 at Menara MATRADE today.

Officiated by the Minister of International Trade and Industry YB Dato’ Sri Mustapa Mohamed, the Services Export Forum aims to push the export performance of Malaysian services to greater heights. The event is expected to host over 500 participants comprising Malaysian companies from the construction, ICT, architecture, oil & gas, Machinery, Repair and Overhaul (MRO), logistics, training and Islamic Finance industry.

According to MATRADE’s chief executive officer, Dato’ Dzulkifli Mahmud, the initiative to organise the forum is timely as the services sector has not reached its full potential to expand globally. “Malaysian services providers have a lot to offer to the world but we need more local players to venture into export. Additionally, those who are already in export, need to continue pushing their limits further,” Dato’ Dzulkifli said.

Services Export Forum 2016 will feature a number of speakers from AirAsia Berhad; Malaysian Association of ASEAN Young Entrepreneurs ; MDEC and Health Tourism Council. The speakers will be speaking on a topic titled ‘Taking the Big Step into the International Market’.

Another key component of the event is an experience-sharing session involving Malaysian companies namely Muhibbah Engineering (M) Berhad, AJM Planning and Urban Design Group Sdn Bhd

The Services Export Forum also sees the launch of Malaysian Incorporated Services Berhad (Malaysian Inc) -- a brainchild of the National Professional Services Export Council (NAPSEC). Malaysian Inc has been tasked to act as a facilitator and value-creating consortium to bid, secure and participate in international projects and support the export of Malaysian services.

“Malaysian Inc embodies a great and strategic partnership between the private and public sector. Such collaboration should be emulated by more parties in harnessing the power of Malaysian expertise from various industries. This can greatly benefit the local players and help increase their chances to be export champions,” Dato’ Dzulkifli opined.

Complementing the launch are two exchanges of documents between Malaysian Inc with CIDB Holdings Sdn Bhd and Regions-Russia Association. The collaborations are: 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.

In Malaysia, the services sector accounts for about 53.9 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 58 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 Malaysian services in export.

With the realisation of the ASEAN Economic Community or the AEC, the region will move towards better integration and a more facilitated mobility of skilled workers and professionals across the region that could benefit the progression of Malaysia’s export in services. Complementing these are the regional agreements such as the ASEAN Framework Agreement on Services (AFAS) that calls for services liberalisation.

Monday, April 18th, 2016, Kuala Lumpur: Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE) is urging Malaysian companies in the semiconductor, LED and solar industry, to join its International Sourcing Programme (INSP) set to take place in conjunction with SEMICON Southeast Asia 2016 on 26 April 2016. The event will be organised at SPICE Arena in Bayan Lepas, Penang.

To be held for the second consecutive time, the INSP, formally known as Incoming Buying Mission, will see buyers from China, Hungary, Republic of Korea, Myanmar, the Philippines and Singapore conducting business meetings with the Malaysian suppliers. Currently, there are over 40 Malaysian companies that have registered in the INSP.

According to the Director of MATRADE’s Electrical & Electronics and ICT Unit Mr Abu Bakar Koyakutty, participation in the INSP will allow local companies to meet potential trading partners from many countries without the need to travel overseas. “SEMICON Southeast Asia is the region’s premier showcase event that focuses on electronics innovation. To date, more than seventy business meetings have been pre-arranged by MATRADE for this one-day business matching session but we are ready to organise more meetings for this event,” he said.

He added that Malaysian companies should leverage on this event and register as INSP participant as soon as possible due to the limited spots. Alternatively, they can also walk-in and sign-up for the business meetings during the event.

“Participating Malaysian companies in the field of semiconductor industry ranging from IC design, assembly, packaging & testing to supporting facilities including machineries, parts & materials as well as LED lightings and solar solution can look forward to meet up with these foreign buyers and increase their chances to realise more export sales,” Mr Abu Bakar opined.

In 2015, Malaysia’s exports of Electrical & Electronics (E&E) products were valued at RM277.92 billion. Of this amount, semiconductor products were the largest contributor, accounted for 49.5% of Malaysia’s E&E exports. The top five destinations for the semiconductor exports were China, Singapore, Hong Kong, the USA and Japan.

Malaysian companies should take advantage of free trade agreements such as ATIGA which E&E product tariff lines is close to 100% duty elimination to incorporate their products or services in the global supply chain.

The INSP is one of MATRADE’s high-impact and cost-effective initiatives to assist Malaysian companies venture into global markets. In 2016, MATRADE has planned a total of 150 programmes, of which 85 are trade promotion activities and 65 are Exporters Development Programme. These programmes will serve as an effective platform for Malaysian manufacturers and professional service providers to promote their world-class products and services globally, and tap on export opportunities around the world.

To participate in the INSP please email to Ms Toh Kit Ying at Alamat emel ini dilindungi dari Spambot. Anda perlu hidupkan JavaScript untuk melihatnya. by 21 April 2016. For more details on MATRADE and its programmes, visit www.matrade.gov.my

Tuesday, March 19th, 2016, Kuala Lumpur: Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE) announced today that its signature event INTRADE 2016 featuring Malaysia Fashion Week (MFW) is set to take centre stage from 2 to 5 November 2016 at Menara MATRADE.

Organised by MATRADE and STYLO International, the third edition of the event is set to host hundreds of local players in the fashion and lifestyle industry as well as buyers from around the world. The highly anticipated B2B fashion event will be showcasing a dedicated fashion and lifestyle exhibition (INTRADE) interspersed with fashion shows and gala events (MFW).

This was announced at the official media launch for the event held at Menara MATRADE attended by organisers, partners and sponsors including CEO of MATRADE & Chairman of MFW , Dato’ Dzulkifli Mahmud; President & CEO of STYLO International and Co-Chairman of MFW 2016, Datuk Nancy Yeoh; Professor Datuk Dr. Jimmy Choo OBE, Honorary Advisor of MFW 2016; Vice President of Sales & Marketing, Mercedes-Benz Malaysia, Mark Raine; CEO of Elite Expo Sdn Bhd, Johnson Lim and CEO of The Hot Shoe Show and Co., Mark Lee.

The launch marks the opening of registration for local companies supplying fashion, accessories, footwear, cosmetics, textile and other lifestyle related products to participate in this annual event. In its 2015’s edition, over 200 fashion buyers from countries such as China, South Korea, Japan, Vietnam, UAE, Philippines, Thailand and India as well as visitors from over 50 countries attended the event. This year, the event targets to have 300 exhibition booths to fill a space spanning over 10,000 square metres, making it the largest fashion event in the country.

“We urge local players to take up this opportunity and secure a spot as exhibitors at the event as soon as they can. Participants can expect to meet global buyers and they also get to partake in our signature one-on-one business matching programme called International Sourcing Programme (INSP), apart from learning from other local and overseas players,” Dato’ Dzulkifli mentioned.

Since 2014, INTRADE featuring MFW has been making headlines and is focused on boosting the Malaysian fashion and lifestyle industry. The event is an initiative to provide a marketing platform to present local fashion brands to international buyers, whilst aspiring to elevate Malaysia’s status as a major fashion hub in ASEAN and beyond.

According to Dato’ Dzulkifli, “INTRADE featuring MFW aims to forge sustainable and profitable business partnerships among players within the industry. As a growing fashion trade hub, the event will connect trade buyers, exhibitors and designers from around the region and the rest of the world to source for, and showcase, their latest trends.”

“Malaysian fashion industry has a lot to offer to the world but we need a strong marketing strategy to ensure Malaysia gets noticed by the world. MATRADE and STYLO International collaboration embodies a strategic public-private partnership and such inter-dependence is crucial in ensuring we are able to push this sector globally. Ultimately, with consistent efforts, we will be able to have a strong foothold around the world,” he added.

In 2015, Malaysia's exports of lifestyle products rose 12 per cent to reach RM31.36 billion as compared to RM28 billion in 2014. Exports were mainly to the USA, Japan, China, Singapore, Turkey, Indonesia, India and Thailand. The main industries categorised under the lifestyle sector include textiles, apparels and footwear, furniture, jewelry, cosmetics and toiletries.

Last year, INTRADE featuring MFW recorded RM126.52 million in sales transactions, a 40% increase from 2014 and a total of 1,541 business matching meetings between local companies and international buyers were arranged. There were also 22 fashion shows with the participation of 103 fashion designers from over 14 countries organised, thanks to the event’s partners -- the Malaysian Fashion Showcase and Mercedes-Benz STYLO Asia Fashion Week.

“Today, up-and-coming young Asian designers are creating waves in the global fashion industry. The likes of Motogoa which was recently signed on by the LVMH group and Yii who now has presence in London has proven that fashion week platforms like MFW have successfully open the doors for the young and talented to be discovered by industry’s key players from the East and West,” said Dato’ Nancy Yeoh.

“Come November, the event will be the ultimate fashion expo that offers a golden opportunity for professional buyers and consumers alike to source for the best Malaysian and ASEAN designs for their Spring/Summer 2017 collection,” added Yeoh.

This year, INTRADE featuring MFW will be themed as MODESTYLE (muslimwear) and Inclusivity – a continuation from last year’s theme. The theme was adopted to give a strong emphasis on Malaysia’s diverse culture that is made up of various races namely Malay, Chinese, Indian, Peranakan and the ethnics from Sabah and Sarawak, among others.

“The design elements derived from the many cultures in Malaysia can be a strong selling point for local companies as foreign buyers are always on the look-out for the next unique thing for them to capitalise on. This is why we’ve decided to keep on reinforcing this message to our stakeholders,” said Dato’ Dzulkilfli.

Another continuing key component of this fashion event will be a dedicated Muslimah fashion pavilion titled MODESTYLE which brings together a large collection of Muslimah fashion by designers from Malaysia, Indonesia, Brunei, the Middle East and others.

To further promote the MODESTYLE Pavilion, the organiser has forged a partnership with Modestyle Malaysia (www.modestyle.my) as the event’s official e-Commerce partner for the MODESTYLE Pavilion. The e-Commerce retail platform is a B2C and B2B site dedicated for Malaysian and international Muslimah fashion brands. All Muslimah designers participating in the event will be showcased and marketed digitally on Modestyle.my.

Apart from being a retail platform, the website also features Muslimah fashion news and styling videos from around the world – a result of their partnership with various international fashion associations. Currently, Modestyle.my will focus on the ASEAN market and will soon be launched in Indonesia, Singapore and Brunei.

At today’s launch, the new members of the Malaysia Fashion Week Fashion Council for 2016 were also announce. The new members include Mahani Awang, President of the Bumiputera Designers’ Association (MODESTYLE); and award-winning fashion designers, Edric Ong (Inclusivity); Fairuz Ramdan (Youth) and Bon Zainal (Men’s Fashion).

To register as an exhibitor at INTRADE featuring Malaysia Fashion Week, visit www.malaysiafashionweek.my or email to Alamat emel ini dilindungi dari Spambot. Anda perlu hidupkan JavaScript untuk melihatnya. Applications are open until end of August 2016.

Friday, April 15th, 2016, Frankfurt: Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE) through its Frankfurt office recently collaborated with the Hamburg chapter of the German Malaysian Roundtable (GMRT) to organise a briefing session on the Malaysian aerospace sector. The event was attended by members of Malaysia Aerospace Industry Association (MAIA) and German aerospace companies at the Hamburg Hafen Klub.

The briefing was part of the initiatives to gear up the promotion on the Malaysian aerospace sector in Germany.

During the session, MAIA was represented by its president Mr. Naguib Mohd Nor. He, among others at this briefing, focused on the opportunities for foreign companies in the Asia Aerospace City (AAC) project and outlined details of the Malaysian Aerospace Industry Blueprint 2030. Malaysia’s strength in the areas such as MRO, aero-manufacturing, systems integration, engineering design services and education as well as training was also highlighted.

The discussion between both parties also revolved around opportunities for German companies to identify potential partners from Malaysia who are currently not in the aerospace business, but are keen to venture into the industry as part of their business diversification strategy. In this context, Mr. Naguib noted the presence of representatives from Tanjung Offshore Berhad and DRB Hicom Berhad as examples of such Malaysian companies.

The programme also included a briefing by Mr.Helmut Neuper, the chief operating officer from Airfoil Services Sdn Bhd. He surmised that Malaysia remains an exceptionally good location for German aerospace companies to invest in and he encouraged Malaysian companies to be more active in reaching out to the German partners. Airfoil Services Sdn. Bhd (ASSB) is jointly owned by Lufthansa Technik and MTU Aero Engines. It has been in Malaysia since 2003 and specialises in the repair of blades from major aircraft engine types.

Also present at the event were Dato’ Zulkifli Adnan, Malaysia’s Ambassador in Germany and Datuk Edgar Nordman, Honorary Consul of Malaysia in Hamburg.

Some of the key German participants who attended the briefing included the managing directors of Hamburg Aviation Services cluster and Hanse Aerospace e.V. The former oversees the Hamburg aerospace cluster while the latter is one of the most significant aerospace associations in Germany representing many of the country’s leading aerospace companies especially the SMEs.

According to Mr. Jai Shankar, the Malaysia’s Trade Commissioner in Germany, the event provided the right impetus for the promotion of Malaysian aerospace sector in Germany. “Malaysia’s existing collaboration with aerospace companies in Europe such as France and UK is on a good footing, and we plan to ensure similar level of engagement with the German side,” he said.

In 2015, Malaysia’s exports of aerospace products recorded a significant increase of 44.7 per cent to RM4.2 billion from RM2.9 billion in 2014. Meanwhile, imports had decreased by 33.5 per cent to RM10 billion from RM15.1 billion.

In terms of size, MRO remains the largest contributor to the Malaysian aerospace industry revenue accounting for 55 per cent of the revenue share. This is followed by aero-manufacturing which makes up 33 per cent.

There are more than 150 aerospace companies in Malaysia and last year the investments in the aerospace industry had reached RM4.7 billion. The industry has also provided 20,000 jobs.

In boosting the performance of Malaysian aerospace industry, MATRADE will be organising the second Kuala Lumpur International Aerospace Business Convention (KLIABC 2016) from 7-9 December 2016. KLIABC 2016 will be focusing on the industry’s supply chain, procurement, purchasing, engineering, fabrication and R&D. A total of 250 companies both local and international are expected to participate in KLIABC 2016 with 3,000 business meeting expected to be organised for representatives from the industry sector.

Malaysian companies in the industry keen to tap on the European market are encouraged to contact MATRADE by emailing to Alamat emel ini dilindungi dari Spambot. Anda perlu hidupkan JavaScript untuk melihatnya..