Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation

KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA, 13 JULY 2021 – The Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE) kicked-off its annual eNational Export Day (eNED@2021) today with the theme ‘Reignite Your Exports’. MATRADE formalised a landmark collaboration at eNED@2021 to partner with technology heavyweight, Google Malaysia, and prominent Islamic Finance player, Bank Islam Malaysia Berhad (Bank Islam), in reaffirming its mandate to promote Malaysia's enterprises to the world.

“I believe that this annual event, will create an effective platform in the new normal to impart knowledge and technical know-how on export opportunities and strategies, through constructive and engaging discourses with businesses. With the synergy set into motion, I am sure that the continuous recovery of Malaysia’s exports can take place, ultimately building our economic resilience,” said YB Senator Datuk Lim Ban Hong, Deputy Minister, Ministry of International Trade and Industry, in his keynote speech. “MATRADE is embracing the new norm by changing its approach to cater for more agile assistance and by enhancing promotion activities to ensure Malaysian companies remain competitive. This year, eNED offers even more value for participants as it highlights key insights to guide exporters in the areas of financing, sustainability, digitalisation, market opportunities as well as current trade related issues. These topics were carefully chosen to excite exporters in reimagining the future beyond COVID-19,” said MATRADE Chairman, Tan Sri Dr Halim Mohammad, during his welcoming remarks on the shift in MATRADE’s trade promotion strategy.

Weighing in on its partnership with MATRADE at the eNED@2021, Google Malaysia Managing Director, Marc Woo, said, “At Google, we believe technology plays a significant role in helping companies to adapt their approach to meet the evolving business environment. We are looking forward to undertaking even more initiatives under this new collaboration with MATRADE, aimed at helping more Malaysian businesses internationalise. It is our shared hope that this will produce more export-ready businesses to capitalise on the increasing global trade opportunities.”

Bank Islam Chief Executive Officer, Mohd Muazzam Mohamed, added, "The Bank is honoured to facilitate the growth of businesses through our comprehensive suite of Shariah-compliant product offerings, allowing enterprises to venture and fortify their market presence globally. In turn, we will able to contribute to the country's economic recovery post-COVID-19 pandemic.”

Google Malaysia and Bank Islam launched into their first assignments, being collaborative partners to MATRADE, as panel members at eNED@2021. The public-private synergy will also leverage on shared assets to organise enrichment programmes in the longer-term to raise the business community’s competitiveness. These include immersion sessions on digital tools, global networking and business matching initiatives.

Plenary sessions across three days will discuss challenges faced by enterprises in pursuing export markets, such as funding, trade regulations and supply chain disruptions. C-suites from the public and private sector, SME association representatives and trade commissioners across key growth markets shared their insights on the current global market scenario, opportunities and effective entry strategies. Interesting topics to be discussed in the coming days of eNED@2021 include sustainability as a future export agenda, digitalisation beyond the pandemic through e-commerce, as well as updates on the US-China trade conflict and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP).

Business owners can still register to be a part of the largest exporters’ virtual gathering at the eNED@2021 and benefit from the sessions scheduled for 14 and 15 July. Approximately 2,000 companies across sectors such as commodities, food and beverage, manufacturing, agriculture, construction, business and financial services and education, among others, registered for the eNED@2021. eNED@2021 is live streamed from 13 to 15 July 2021, and registration to the event can be done online at www.exportday.my