Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2021 KUALA LUMPUR: MATRADE continues its agenda to empower Malaysian Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) on digitalisation towards reinforcing their competitiveness as export champions.

The benchmarking element has been incorporated in the existing customised exporters development programme, where an exclusive coaching session is spearheaded by the previous participants of Mid-Tier Companies Development Programme (MTCDP).

Deputy Chief Executive Officer (Exporters Development) of MATRADE, Abu Bakar Yusof said, “This benchmarking programme is an interactive platform on sharing knowledge between Mid-Tier Company (MTC) with MSMEs. The programme will not only serve as guidance for the enterprises to enhance their global competitiveness, but also to pave the way for closer relations between MSMEs and MTCs.”

This programme aims to guide the MSMEs on the best practices and efficient methods to adopt digitalisation in their business processes, so that they will be ready to tap into the global supply chain and strengthen their global footprints. This value-added feature on exporters development is a journey to groom more export champions in the near future.

Since the beginning of Covid-19 pandemic, digitalisation has become one of the important elements in global competitiveness for the MSMEs and MTCs. The pandemic has accelerated the need for everyone to embrace and adopt digitalisation in various aspects. The Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI) through its implementing agency MATRADE has come out with numerous initiatives to ensure business continuity for Malaysian companies and exporters. These include virtual business meetings or known as eBizMatch, virtual National Export Day, virtual MIHAS exhibition, virtual export acceleration and market immersion missions as well as the iconic cross border e-commerce, eTrade Programme.

In 2020, under the MTCDP, a tailored Digital Marketing Module for MTCs was introduced. This pilot project was aiming to support MTCs’ transformation in embracing digitalisation and provide relevant information in structuring and implementing effective online marketing campaigns. 10 selected MTCs were involved with series of customised trainings. To date, MTCs have successfully launched their digital marketing campaigns via e-commerce platforms in Indonesia, Thailand and Australia.

“This proves that MATRADE supports the agenda of digitalisation to elevate Malaysian businesses. This is also in line with the MyDigital initiative under the Malaysia Digital Economy Blueprint that complements the national development policies such as the Twelfth Malaysia Plan (12-MP) and the Vision for Share Prosperity 2030 (WKB 2030),” he added.

In line with the 12^th Malaysia Plan, MATRADE will strive to create more export champions, supporting the ongoing efforts by the Government in regenerating Malaysian economy, driving the growth of new sectors while striking the balance to ensure the socio-economic inclusiveness and sustainability.

MATRADE has successfully groomed 275 MTCs through MTCDP since the programme started in 2014. It is one of the Government’s high impact initiatives in the Malaysia’s Development Plan. In 2020, companies under MTCDP reported exports’ revenue of RM15.38 billion, an increase of 3.6% compared with the year before.

The MTCDP targets export-oriented MTCs with annual revenues between RM50 million to RM500 million for manufacturing companies and RM20 million to RM500 million for services companies. Interested companies are encouraged to contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for more details.