Services for Exporters

SEF provides assistance to Malaysian Service Providers (MSPs) to undertake activities to expand and venture into the international market. The assistance is extended in the form of reimbursable grant. The grant disbursed is according to the maximum amount of each activity for the duration of the period 2021-2025.

The objectives are:
  • To increase the competitiveness of Malaysian Service Providers (MSPs) overseas;
  • To increase accessibility and expand export of MSPs in the global market;
  • To expand the scope for export promotion to gain market access and export opportunities for services; and
  • To raise the profile of Malaysia at the international level as competent service provider and brand Malaysia as a supplier of services.

Eligible activities are:

(Please refer to page 14 of SEF Guideline for more details)

Type of Activity:
RM 50,000.00
1

Activity 1

Promoting Malaysian expertise as a provider of services at international events held overseas, such as a speaker / panelist / moderator at conferences / forums / workshops / seminar;

or

As a participant at an international competition for the services industry held abroad.

RM 50,000.00
2

Activity 2

Travelling expenses to international Activity destinations for tender bidding;

or

Purchasing tender documents for projects overseas.

RM 100,000.00
3

Activity 3

Conducting presentations to potential clients for assessing business and projects overseas.

RM 100,000.00
4

Activity 4

Rendering services for projects undertaken overseas.

RM 3,000,000.00
5

Activity 5

Conducting a feasibility study for a specific international project overseas.

The application for Activity 5 Services Export Fund (SEF) is temporarily suspended until further notice 
RM 200,000.00
6

Activity 6

Initial costs for first 12 months of setting up a commercial office overseas.

RM 50,000.00
7

Activity 7

Procuring commercial intelligence/market reports for assessing business opportunities or projects in international markets.

RM 50,000.00
8

Activity 8

Preparation of prototype, system customisation/localisation to meet project requirements overseas.

RM 50,000.00
9

Activity 9

Participation fees in training programmes held overseas by certified bodies/institutions for exporting services.

RM 100,000.00
10

Activity 10

Registration fees for overseas industry certification including compliance to sustainability for exporting services.

RM 200,000.00
11

Activity 11

Purchasing/hire purchase/renting of software, machinery and equipment for exporting services overseas.

RM 350,000.00
12

Activity 12

Logistic costs involved in sending of Malaysian products and/or equipment abroad (port to port), for overseas projects awarded to and implemented by Malaysian service companies.

SEF Guidelines

To apply for SEF grant, company needs to register as a MATRADE Member and subcribe to MyExport service
  • If you are not a MATRADE Member, please register here.
  • If you are a MATRADE Member, please register MyExport here. Click here to download MyExport user manual.
  • If you are already registered in MyExport, kindly login and click Apply under SEF tab.

For more information, please contact us at:

Services Development Unit
8th Floor (East Wing), Menara MATRADE,
Jalan Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah,
50480 Kuala Lumpur, MALAYSIA
Tel: +603-6207 7077
Fax: +603-6203 7252
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
What is MDG

The Market Development Grant (MDG) is a support initiative in the form of a reimbursable grant. MDG was introduced in 2002 with the objective of assisting exporters in their efforts to promote Malaysian made products or services globally. The lifetime limit of MDG is RM300,000 and it is specifically formulated for Malaysian SME Companies, Professional Service Providers, Trade and Industry Associations, Chambers of Commerce, Professional Bodies and Co-operatives.

[Note: MDG reimbursements are subject to the availability of the government funds]

What activities are eligible for grant funding?
Who is eligible to claim for MDG? (please refer to MDG Guidelines)

  1. Small And Medium Enterprises (SMEs)
  2. Professional Service Providers (Sole Proprietor Or Partnership)
  3. Trade & Industry Associations, Chambers Of Commerce Or Professional Bodies
  4. Co-operatives
How do I submit my new application of claims or request for reimbursement of expenses?

All completed applications must be SUBMITTED ONLINE through MATRADE’s website:

Apply MDG

Submissions for reimbursements must be:

No

Promotion Activity

Submission of Applications

Physical Event

i.

Participation in International Trade Fairs or Exhibitions held in Malaysia/ Overseas

Within 30 calendar days after the last date of event

ii.

Participation in Trade & Investment Missions (TIM) or Export Acceleration Missions (EAM)

iii.

Participation in International Conferences Held Overseas

iv.

Listing fees in Supermarkets or Hypermarkets or Retail Centres or Boutique Outlets Located Overseas

Within 30 calendar days after the first day of listing

v. International Certification for Exports Within 30 calendar days after certification approval date

Virtual Event

i.

Participation in Virtual International Trade Fairs In Malaysia or Overseas

Within 30 calendar days from the last date of the event

ii.

Participation In Business To Business (B2B) Meetings Related To Virtual Trade Investment Missions And Export Acceleration Missions

Within 30 calendar days from the last date of the promotion activity

For more information, please download information as per link below:

Apply MDG Check Disbursed Amount

All enquiries and submission of reports must be sent to:

Market Development Unit (MDG)
8th Floor, East Wing,
Menara MATRADE,
Jalan Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah,
50480 Kuala Lumpur, MALAYSIA
Tel: +603-6207 7066
Email:This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

This User Guide will help you get started and learn more about using our online application in this portal.

Step 1: To access the online application, go to "For Malaysian Exporters" section.

Exporters 1

Step 2: At the "For Malaysian Exporters" section page, choose "Online Applications" in the MATRADE Online Services information.

Exporters 2

Step 3: Choose the online applications or download the application forms.

Exporters 3

The Mid-Tier Companies Development Programme (MTCDP) was established in 2014 to help local mid-tier companies (MTCs) in Malaysia to accelerate their export growth and to strengthen their core business functions. Only 50 high-performing MTCs will be selected per year to participate in this 9-month programme.  MTCs in Malaysia are defined as companies with annual revenues between RM50 million to RM500 million in the manufacturing sector and between RM20 million to RM500 million in other sectors.
Mid-Tier Companies (MTCs) and their contribution to Malaysia

MTCs represent a key driving force behind the Malaysian economy. There are approximately 10,000 MTCs in Malaysia, and despite being just 2% of all Malaysian firms, they collectively contribute ~40% of the country’s GDP and employ over 16% of the workforce.  To date MATRADE has assisted 275 MTCs in the programme and is committed to their continued success towards accelerating their export growth and expansion into new markets.

MATRADE's expectations from participating companies

MTCs participating in the programme must be:

  • Willing to bear ancillary expenses - e.g., travel expenses for any promotional events overseas. Consultation costs for 2014 participants will be borne entirely by MATRADE
  • Fully committed, with the CEO and senior management dedicating  about 1 day/month to the programme over the course of 9 months
  • Willing to share company-specific information (with non-disclosure agreement  in place), engage deeply on action plan, and adopt recommendations from MTC programme advisors to accelerate growth and increase your business performance

Mid-Tier Ramp-up Programme

The Mid-Tier Ramp-Up Programme is a new program started in 2016. It is actually a two-year extension programme for MTCs who have graduated from MTCDP. During the two years, MTCs will continue to receive customised assistance to further enhance their market access and export capabilities.

Other than serving as a conduit for continuing export support, the Mid-Tier Ramp-Up Programme also monitors and tracks the progress and development of MTCs. This helps MATRADE to tweak and re-evaluate the effectiveness of support assistance rendered. Former graduates of MTCDP are also automatically enrolled as members of an alumni, called the CEO Club. The CEO Club is an informal avenue for MTCs to network, exchange ideas and share possible solutions on common issues. The first CEO Club meeting was held on May 31, 2016.

The Participants
Download list of MTCs
Benefits of being in the programme:

Mid-Tier Ramp-Up Programme will help MTCs to:

  • Secure effective distribution channels in the marketplace;
  • Intensify market deepening in high potential markets (e.g. through strategic partnerships, acquisition of companies or new business start-ups); and
  • Collectively penetrate new markets through the pooling and sharing of costs and resources, which can mutually elevate and improve visibility of Malaysian businesses in foreign markets.
Who can apply?

As it is an extension of the MTCDP, only graduates of MTCDP are eligible to apply.


Success Stories

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IX Telecom Sdn Bhd

For further information about the programme or if you are interested in applying, please contact us at:

Mid-Tier Companies Development Unit
15th Floor (East Wing), Menara MATRADE,
Jalan Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah,
50480 Kuala Lumpur
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

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