Perbadanan Pembangunan Perdagangan Luar Malaysia

THURSDAY, MARCH 18, 2021 KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysian Mid-Tier Companies (MTCs) are leading the adoption of Industry 4.0 to remain competitive in the global market. This is the outcome of the engagement between Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI) and its Agency, Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE) with a Mid-Tier company, LH Plus Sdn Bhd in Shah Alam, yesterday.

Deputy Minister of International Trade and Industry, YB Datuk Lim Ban Hong, who led the visit, was impressed with the achievements of LH Plus as one of the world’s leading manufacturers of high quality plastic components and premium household products for major brands such as Tupperware and Rubbermaid.

During the visit, Lim was briefed by Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of LH Plus, Mr Callum Chen on the company’s capabilities as well as its journey in transforming the company to embrace Industry 4.0.

LH Plus participated in Mid-Tier Companies Development Programme (MTCDP) when it was launched in 2014. MTCDP is one of MATRADE’s high impact programmes aimed to accelerate the growth of Malaysian MTCs in the global frontier.

After successful completion in the 9-month programme, LH Plus continued to grow their export momentum through the Ramp-Up Programme where the company has explored new markets and being connected with new global clients to expand their exports. While LH Plus key export markets are USA and Japan, the company also has successfully penetrated North America, Latin America and Asia Pacific markets with assistance from MATRADE.

The Government, through MITI and its Agencies, will continue to undertake regular engagements with the private sectors during this challenging times. Through this initiative, MITI through MATRADE will be able to further understand the needs of Mid-Tier Companies(MTCs), including issues effecting exports, developing innovative strategies to grow exports, expanding global footprints as well as promoting the adoption of Industry 4.0. Deputy CEO of MATRADE, Encik Abu Bakar Yusof has also joined the visit.

MTCDP targets exporting companies with annual revenues ranging from RM50 million to RM500 million for manufacturing companies and between RM20 million and RM500 million for services. Since the inception of the programme in 2014, a total of 275 Mid-Tier Companies (MTCs) from various sectors have benefitted from the 9-month programme.

Following completion from the Mid-Tier Companies Development Programme, the MTCs continue to receive MATRADE’s assistance through Ramp-Up Programme that is aimed at further intensifying MTCs’ market access into new key potential markets.

MONDAY, MARCH 15^TH, 2021, KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE) launches its new enhanced Guidelines for Services Export Fund (SEF) and three(3) new activities during its webinar today. Three (3) new activities under the Services Export Fund (SEF) are aimed at enhancing exports of services. This will bring the total activities to twelve (12) from previously nine (9) that are already available. The SEF is an effort to facilitate and enhance capabilities of Malaysia Services Providers (MSPs) in gaining market access into overseas projects.

 â€œ Malaysia’s companies in the services sector have been very active in exploring overseas projects and some of them had successfully secured the projects through collaboration with local partners and host countries. The Government, through the Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI) and its agency MATRADE, are supporting these efforts through the Services Export Fund(SEF), which was established in 2015 with the objective of enhancing the facilitation into overseas projects”, said Encik Mohd Mustafa Abdul Aziz, Chief Executive Officer of MATRADE.

The additional three (3) new activities introduced in 2021 cover:

1. the participation fees in training programs held overseas;
2. registration fees for certification including compliance to sustainability; as well as

• purchasing of software or purchasing/hire purchase/renting of machinery and equipment. These three activities are added in view of their importance in complying with the requirement of overseas projects.

With these additional activities, we hope that SEF will help to improve the international competitiveness of our service providers in implementing projects globally.

The Services Export Fund (SEF) since its inception in 2015 has benefited 189 Malaysian Services Providers (MSPs), covering such sectors as ICT, Engineering, Business Services, Construction and Education, generating export value worth RM7.6 billion. This fund has enabled the MSPs to export their services to Indonesia, Philippines, China, Myanmar, Singapore, India, Cambodia, Thailand, Viet Nam and USA.

In 2020, Malaysia’s exports of services amounted to RM91.73 billion. Major sectors were Transport, Telecommunication, Computer & Information Services and Other Business Services (including R&D, Management and Consultancy Services, Engineering), accounting 58.6 percent of the total exports.

MATRADE urged more MSPs to come forward and be part of the programme. The new SEF guidelines will commence on the 15 March 2021. MATRADE is committed to embark on this journey with as many potential MSPs, but first MSPs must register as a MATRADE member. The membership is complimentary and MSPs can register via www.matrade.gov.my.

For further information on SEF, please visit this link https://www.matrade.gov.my/en/malaysian-exporters/services-for-exporters/exporters-development/services-export-fund-sef  or you can contact us at SEF Secretariat through telephone number 603 6207 7077/7593 or email at Alamat emel ini dilindungi dari Spambot. Anda perlu hidupkan JavaScript untuk melihatnya..

The World’s Largest and Most Comprehensive Halal Showcase Primed to Host Halal Exporters and Buyers Across the Halal Ecosystem

16 MARCH 2021, KUALA LUMPUR – On a mission to engage and inspire the local and global halal community, the Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE) today announced that the 17th Malaysia International Halal Showcase (MIHAS), scheduled from 9^th to 12^th September 2021, will for the first time be presented in a hybrid format.

Announcing the new format, MATRADE Chief Executive Officer, Mohd Mustafa Abdul Aziz, said, “Over the past 17 years, MIHAS has grown into a premier international marketplace for the global halal community to explore business opportunities and grow their network. In keeping up with the current trend, the team has carefully crafted a versatile hybrid showcase with digital capabilities to bring patrons, investors and trade partners the best of both worlds. MIHAS has historically been the marquee halal sourcing platform, with over RM1.6 billion in potential sales recorded in 2019 alone. We look forward to fortifying Malaysia as the heart of the global halal hub with another successful showcase this year.” 

The new showcase format, taking into consideration health and safety concerns, will feature a controlled on-ground exhibition presence at the MATRADE Exhibition and Conference Centre (MECC), with all the relevant protocols in place, integrated with virtual components including a virtual exhibition, Artificial Intelligence (AI) assisted business matching sessions, virtual network lounge, industry specific sessions and live conferences.

In an effort to widen perspectives about the halal industry, the event will focus on showcasing 12 key pillars representing growing halal markets across the globe. These include long-established sectors such as food and beverage, education, pharmaceuticals, services and enablers, and franchise. While the more contemporary sectors comprise modest fashion, Islamic finance, cosmetics and personal care, media and recreation, Muslim friendly travel, e-commerce and food technology.

Commenting on the global trend of consumers opting for brands that practice ethical, cruelty-free and responsible business practices, Mustafa shared, “The promotion of responsible and sustainable businesses globally is very much in line with the Halal value system. Bearing this in mind, the 17th MIHAS showcase will place special emphasis on helping local and international players look to innovation and sustainable initiatives to spearhead steady growth for the Halal economy.”

MIHAS is the place for local and international Halal players to obtain critical global exposure for their products or services in order to elevate market share. This year, MIHAS has allocated more than 750 booths comprising both, physical and virtual at the MATRADE Exhibition and Conference Centre (MECC). Exhibitors also have the option of securing virtual booths that are accessible by online visitors at any time, a helpful feature for international visitors from different time zones. Each virtual booth will be equipped with info points to showcase key products and services.

Organised by MATRADE under the patronage of the Ministry of International Trade and Industry Malaysia, MIHAS is a world-class Halal showcase that harnesses and amplifies Malaysia’s strengths as the global halal hub. This year, the 17^th MIHAS Showcase, themed “Empowering Halal, Tomorrow, Together”, aims to position Malaysian businesses to be world’s Halal champions by embracing Industry Revolution 4.0 and serving as the ultimate launchpad for digitally-powered Halal brands and innovators.

Since its inception in 2004, MIHAS has hosted more than 8,200 exhibitors from 44 countries, and attracted over 400,000 visitors from 88 countries. The event has generated over RM17.2 billion in business leads in the past 16 years of its organisation.

Brands looking to jumpstart their presence and make a mark in the Halal market by participating in MIHAS 2021 may contact Ms Azlina Jane Zahri, Director of Sales and Marketing at Alamat emel ini dilindungi dari Spambot. Anda perlu hidupkan JavaScript untuk melihatnya..  For more information on the 17th MIHAS showcase visit www.mihas.com.my

THURSDAY, 4 MARCH 2021, KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE) will be leading the participation of Malaysian companies in one of the world’s largest annual food, beverages and hospitality exhibition, The 46^th International Food and Beverages Exhibition or FOODEX Japan 2021. Participation in FOODEX Japan 2021 reaffirms MATRADE’s interest to grow F&B exports to one of Malaysia’s long established key trading partners in the region while serves as an initiative to assist Malaysian companies to recover quickly their business activities through exports.

The event to be held from 9 to 12 March 2021 in Makuhari Messe, Chiba, Japan will continue to witness MATRADE’s coordination of export promotion activities by government bodies. The Federal Agricultural Marketing Authority (FAMA) and the Ministry of International Trade & Industry, Industrial Terminal and Entrepreneur Development (MINTRED), Sarawak are among Malaysian exhibitors in the event.

The booming e-Commerce market which has been trending with more than double digit growth has attracted participation of Malaysia’s first time exhibitor in the event, SD Impex Sdn (SISB) Bhd. SISB has successfully entered the Japanese market since end of last year and currently active in promoting their product ranges both online and offline. By participating in Foodex 2021, SISB is hopeful to strengthen their market presence and explore new market opportunities including meeting potential buyers and importers to distribute their products under the Asian Taste and MyKitchen brands. Currently, SISB is working closely with MATRADE to link them with reputable local players as well as conduct product promotions via food tasting and demonstration events in Tokyo and Nagoya. The company has also received positive number of enquiries to supply and distribute products via e-commerce and online sales platforms.          

Golden Fresh Sdn Bhd (GFSB), which carries the Pacific West and Subi Brands will also be participating this year under Malaysia’s pavilion. To date, GFSB has established itself in the market by supplying products to major chain stores, supermarkets, fast-food restaurants and cafés in Japan. Since Japan is one of the world’s largest consumers of fish and seafood and as such, GFSB believes that participation in the event will strengthen and further expand exports of their premium and value-added seafood products to the market especially. With their experience supplying to major international sports events, GFSB is also hopeful to supply their halal certified products for the Tokyo Summer Olympic.

Overall, this year’s event will feature a wide variety of Malaysian F&B products such as premium seafood, frozen food, agricultural products, ready-to-eat products, readymade paste, bakery products and exotic Asian fruits including many other products produced by entrepreneurs under the umbrella of FAMA and MINTRED.

With a total market value for food and beverages (F&B) including retail sales of about USD 500 billion, the F&B industry in Japan is largely import dependent and Malaysian companies can leverage on the opportunities to explore new areas for export. Among the opportunities, include collaborations and promotions for the planned Tokyo Summer Olympics, strong interests to grow Halal offerings, as well as leveraging on the growing trend in ready-to-eat packaged food, sweets & confectionery and healthy & elderly related products. Malaysia’s exports of processed food to Japan was valued at RM932 million last year.

MATRADE’s Trade Commissioner in Tokyo, Mr Niqman Rafaee Mohd Sahar emphasised that Malaysia’s participation in FOODEX Japan aims at linking high-quality products and services offered by Malaysian companies with major Japanese buyers and retail players, taking into consideration the well stature of FOODEX among local industry players. “In the perspective of venturing and growing exports to Japan, Malaysian companies are encouraged to take advantage of the existing tariff elimination and reduction on export of key products into Japan derived from the trade agreements signed by both countries under the Malaysia-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement (MJEPA) and ASEAN-Japan Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (AJCEP)” Niqman said.

Malaysian exporters who are interested to export to in Japan may contact MATRADE Tokyo at Alamat emel ini dilindungi dari Spambot. Anda perlu hidupkan JavaScript untuk melihatnya.  to receive more information about the market, a list of useful contacts, and to determine further assistance.