Annual Report 2019

Sustaining Export Development MATRADE Organisation // 17 MESSAGE OF CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER MOVING INTO 2020 Towards 2020, MATRADE once again faces uncertainty in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic which has gripped the world. MATRADE expects more challenges on trade performance in 2020. However, MATRADE will continue to carry out its mandate by introducing various new initiatives in consideration of travel restrictions enforced by governments around the world. MATRADE will leverage on its network of 46 international offices in connecting Malaysian exporting companies with importers through digital channels. MATRADE hopes that exports will recover in the second half of 2020 after being impacted in the months of April and May in 2020. Finally, I would like to express my appreciation and gratitude to all stakeholders, especially the Ministry of International Trade and Industry for the cooperation throughout 2019. Special thanks to Board of Directors and all MATRADE staff. Thank you and best regards. DATO’ WAN LATIFF WAN MUSA Chief Executive Officer MATRADE Among new programmes are eBizMatch, virtual exhibitions and webinars in addition to ongoing initiatives such as MyExport. MATRADE also introduced initiatives to help exporters deal with cash flow problems in continuing their promotional activities. In this context, public-private cooperation will continue to address the issues together.