National Trade Blueprint

30 National Trade Blueprint 8 Strategic Thrusts Objective / Pain points Facilitate standards and conformance among exporters. Exporters face difficulties in coping with high cost of conformity assessment procedures and certification. Key Stakeholders: Standards Malaysia (Lead), MITI/MATRADE, SIRIM and other accreditation testing facilities Implementation timeline : Medium-term (continuous efforts) Action plans 1. Explore solutions to reduce the cost of certification and regulatory compliance a) Ensure proper and regular consultation sessions with stakeholders before a major change in fee structure. b) Widen and expand the current available grants (e.g., MDG) to assist exporters in accessing certifications. c) Chambers and associations to negotiate with the certification providers on potential rebates to assist its members. 2. Increase access of information about certifications a) Consolidate information about required standards in different countries for all HS Code items and provide a single reference point in the information portal. b) Information can be categorised by sector, type of products, list of testing laboratories and cost of certification. Objective / Pain points Government to leverage on existing networks and empower associations in driving the export agenda. To deepen the partnership with key industry bodies. Key Stakeholders: MITI/MATRADE (Lead), chambers of commerce, trade associations Implementation timeline: Short-term Action plans 1. Foster cross sector collaboration for collaborative projects a) Associations and chambers to facilitate the formation of industry alliances and consortiums, which are willing to work towards a common opportunity, challenge, and go-to-market purpose. b) Government can provide support through grant assistance to facilitate collaborative projects. 2. Encourage SME participation in trade associations / chambers of commerce a) Share information on chambers of commerce and trade associations through a single information portal. The benefits and success stories should be made known so that SMEs could see the values of participation in trade associations / chambers of commerce. b) Collaboration between MATRADE and chambers of commerce in membership recruitment. 3. Scale up both trade promotion and development activities by collaborating with Malaysian chambers of commerce and its network a) Establish a working group consisting of representatives from chambers and trade associations to streamline the trade promotion & development activities and reduce duplication. b) Encourage chambers and trade associations to adopt a structured outreach programme in order to reach a wider audience. Ease the cost of conformity assessments procedure (CAP) and regulatory compliance (i.e., testing, certification and inspection) 1.8 Empower local trade associations in driving the export agenda 1.9 Strengthening Export Ecosystem Thrust 1: