100 TOWARDS THE FUTURE OF SUSTAINABLE EXPORTS MONITORING MATRADE’S ACHIEVEMENTS ANALYSIS OF BARRIERS TO MARKET ACCESS FACILITATION Exporters often confront trade barriers in the form of tariff and non-tariff measures imposed by other countries, which can impede their market access and competitiveness. Tariff barriers refer to obstructions from the importing country that increase the cost of goods as compared to their manufacturing cost. On the other hand, non-tariff barriers are regulations for accessing the market of the importing country. Both can increase the cost of Malaysian goods from an importing perspective, reducing the competitiveness of Malaysian companies in the global market. Bilateral trade agreements such as Free Trade Agreements can address tariff barriers, while non-tariff barriers vary by regulations of the importing country. For 2022, non-tariff barriers to Malaysian goods were classified under technical and non-technical barriers. Technical barriers encompass factors such as labelling requirements, food and beverage ingredients, sanitary and phytosanitary requirements for basic agricultural products, and sustainability prerequisites for imported products. Non-technical barriers include import bans, specific certificate requirements depending on the country, and established quotas. Additionally, specific barriers are obstacles imposed on goods of particular categories, such as electrical, chemical, halal products, and finished goods. By analysing the different types of barriers, MATRADE can provide guidance and detailed information on regulations and export barriers specific to countries, aiding Malaysian exporters in identifying and addressing potential market access challenges and developing effective growth strategies. MATRADE sets annual targets as benchmarks for the organisation’s main functions, encompassing programmes, export sales potential, assisted companies, new importers and exporters, and published market information and research, in order to ensure excellent service delivery. MATRADE carries out monitoring of achievements quarterly through various internal systems that it has developed, including the Trade Promotion Management System, Foreign Importer System, Malaysia Exporter Registry System, and Electronic Document Management System. MATRADE management receives the quarterly monitoring results and takes intervention measures if necessary to realign its focus and efforts in achieving targets. As the nation’s export promotion agency, MATRADE plays a crucial role in providing monthly media releases on Malaysia’s trade performance. These releases are announced by the Ministry of Investment, Trade, and Industry. The statistical data used for these releases is sourced from the Department of Statistics Malaysia, offering a comprehensive overview of Malaysia’s trade performance. This data is segmented by specific goods and markets, enabling a detailed analysis. To support the media release preparation process, MATRADE has developed the Malaysia Trade Statistic System (MTSS). This system serves as a facilitator, enabling a more efficient analysis and research of market trends, industry performance, as well as goods and services. The insights gathered from this system are vital for MATRADE in formulating strategies to enhance the country’s export capabilities. Ministerial Notes on trade performance are prepared by MATRADE for presentation by the Minister at the Cabinet level. This ensures that the trade performance updates are communicated at the highest level of decision-making, facilitating informed discussions and potential policy interventions. MATRADE ANNUAL WORK PROGRAMME PLANNING An analysis of the types of barriers that can impede market access and export development for Malaysian goods enables MATRADE to provide guidance and detailed information to Malaysian exporters regarding regulations and export barriers to specific countries.
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