MATRADE Wins World Trade Promotion Organizations (WTPO) Award for ‘Best Use of Information Technology’
WEDNESDAY, 18 MAY 2022, KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE) won its first World Trade Promotion Organizations (WTPO) Award under the “Best Use of Information Technology” category for its initiative in organising the virtual edition of the 17th Malaysia International Halal Showcase (MIHAS) in 2021.
MATRADE was among the four finalists nominated in this category together with TPOs from Austria, Canada and the United Republic of Tanzania. The winner for this and other categories, namely, ‘Best Use of a Partnership’ and ‘Best Initiative for Inclusive and Sustainable Trade’ were announced at the 13th World Trade Promotion Organizations Conference and Awards held in Accra, Ghana, on 17 May 2022.
According to a statement by the Geneva-based International Trade Centre (ITC), the digitalisation of MIHAS 2021 allowed SME exports in the halal industry to continue growing despite disruptions caused by the pandemic. The virtual showcase opened up new markets and made business connections more convenient and cost-effective, it added.
MATRADE Chief Executive Officer, Mohd Mustafa Abdul Aziz said, “The recognition by ITC is a resounding testament of MATRADE’s capabilities as a world-class national trade promotion agency. The award is a realisation of our aspiration to showcase Malaysia and bring Malaysian exports to greater heights”.
Since helming the organisation as CEO in December 2020, Mustafa has been instrumental in championing the three significant export agendas for Malaysia – digitalisation, sustainable development, as well as the devised programmes and activities that are aligned with the National Trade Blueprint (NTBp).
“This award symbolises that MATRADE is on the right track in bolstering Malaysian exports. It reflects the international recognition of MATRADE’s efforts in digitalisation initiatives to develop innovative and effective programmes to assist Malaysian exporters, especially small and medium enterprises (SMEs)”, Mustafa added.
Leveraging on the digital transformation, MATRADE has undertaken numerous initiatives to ensure business continuity for Malaysian exporters by conducting virtual and hybrid trade promotion programmes such as trade fairs, export acceleration missions, virtual business meetings (eBizMatch) and webinars.
“In accordance to the digital initiatives by the Malaysian Government through MATRADE in enhancing Malaysia’s trade competitiveness and exports value, the Integrated Trade Events Platform (ITEP) and Single Information Portal for Exports (SIPE) are being developed after the proposal was approved by the Economic Action Council (EAC) chaired by the YAB Prime Minister last year. Both initiatives will lead to an accelerated adoption of digitalisation, through the establishment of digital business platforms, in tandem with RMKe-12 strategic directions”, Mustafa elaborated.
The World Trade Promotion Organisation (WTPO) Awards and Conference was organised by ITC, a joint agency of the World Trade Organization (WTO) and the United Nations. Held every two years, the ITC collaborates with a national Trade Promotion Organisation (TPO) to host this event.
“The main theme at the 13th WTPO is about sustainability and how innovation as well as digitalisation can lead to sustainable export development and promotion”, stated MATRADE Deputy Chief Executive Officer (Exporters Development) Abu Bakar Yusof who represented MATRADE at the award ceremony.
“The award reflects a comprehensive digitalisation initiative that MATRADE undertakes and MIHAS is the evident. MATRADE swiftly pivoted to digital platforms to ensure business continuity amid pandemic”, Abu Bakar explained.
3 The theme for the WTPO Awards 2022 is ‘Bold Solutions for Resilience and Recovery’. The event is held biennially and according to the organiser, this year’s event is guided by the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. It outlines the efforts of trade and investment organisations in addressing business survival and competitiveness, and support trade-led growth while serving their communities and protecting the planet.
