Annual Report 2019

128 // MATRADE Annual Report 2019 AMERICA MATRADE New York collaborated with Malaysian Timber Industry Board (MTIB) in assisting Malaysian furniture companies participate in High Point ITF in North Carolina. Business meetings were arranged with importers and furniture distributors namely, West Elm and Calligaris in New York, Bob’s Furniture and Love Sac in Connecticut and Homerica East in New Jersey. MATRADE New York coordinated the participation buyers during INSPs in conjunction with ITFs in Malaysia which included EFE, MIHAS, SEMICON SEA and IGEM. MATRADE New York also assisted the visit of American importer companies such as Best Brand and Love Sac to Malaysia to meet exporters of furniture supplies and consumer products. MATRADE Mexico organised trade seminars and business clinics in Jalisco, Yucatan and Guadajalara which provided opportunity to share information on the capability of Malaysian companies in related sectors. MATRADE Mexico also organised seminars “Doing Business with Malaysia” in Costa Rica and “Overview Perspective in Malaysia Wood Sector” in Mexico City to promote Malaysian exports. Promotion and awareness programmes led to importers from Mexico and Panama participating in INSPs such as MIHAS 2019, APHM 2019, IGEM 2019 and Malaysia Wood Expo 2019 (MWE) which were conducted in Kuala Lumpur. MATRADE Santiago assisted Malaysian companies penetrate the South American market through several programmes organised throughout 2019. Among the programmes were TPVs to countries under MATRADE Santiago’s purview to promote trade opportunities. This was in addition to promoting INSPs organised by MATRADE’s headquarters. MATRADE Sao Paulo was involved in the establishment of the Brazil-Malaysia Business Council (BMBC) which was officiated by Minister of MITI during TIM to Brazil in May 2019. The council aims to assist the business community of both countries establish networks and conduct business. MATRADE Sao Paulo collaborated with local chambers of commerce to promote Malaysian products and services during several important programmes organised by them. Briefing on business opportunities within Malaysia during FlTCE in Florida Discussion with one of the FITCE visitors