Press Releases 2014
MATRADE Announces New Guidelines for The Market Development Grant
KUALA LUMPUR, THURSDAY, 3 APRIL 2014: MATRADE today announced a revision of the guidelines for the Market Development Grant (MDG) which will take effect from 1 May 2014. The new guideline will allow more Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) to benefit from it and will focus on core expenses on activities by SMEs that have a direct impact on exports. The revision is also consistent with the Government’s austerity measures and the importance of prudent spending.
The MDG is a programme that assists SMEs to access to business opportunities in overseas markets. It is especially beneficial to new exporters in getting a foothold in the global marketplace through participation in international trade fairs, specialised marketing missions and other related activities.
Last year, the MDG received an overwhelming response from SMEs with an increase of 73% in total disbursements. This was the result of an increase in the number of companies participating in trade promotional activities from 3,493 in 2012 to 16,608.
A total of RM 46.7 million was disbursed through the MDG in 2013 to 2,182 SMEs of which RM 7.6 million was provided to Bumiputra companies and RM 16.7 million to women-owned enterprises. Through the participation of these SMEs in trade promotion activities in 2013, a total of RM 1.5 billion sales were generated and 5.9 million business leads received.
Effective January 2014, Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) have been reclassified as companies whose annual turnover is less than RM50 million with workers not exceeding 200 for the manufacturing sector, from the current definition of less than RM25 million in revenue and less than 150 workers. For the services sector, the value threshold has also been raised, with SMEs defined as firms with annual sales not exceeding RM20 million (less than RM5 million at present) or not more than 75 workers (less than 50 currently). The new definition is effective Jan 1, 2014.
The new definition for SMEs is expected to see an increase in the number of such firms from 97.3% to 98.5% of total business entities, adding more than 8,000 SMEs to the current pool. As a sought after grant, MATRADE foresees an increase in the number of new applicants for the MDG and the revision in guidelines will enable more SMEs to utilise the fund.
The Government takes cognisance that SMEs are a very important part of the business community and strives to provide assistance to ensure their viability. In 2013 alone,RM12 billion worth of assistance has been granted to 885,019 SMEs of which 100,118 SMEs have benefited in terms of market access.
Companies are able to view the new guidelines to the Market Development Grant on MATRADE’s website at www.matrade.gov.my from 1 April 2014.
Malaysia’s SMEs Generated Fruitful Outcome in OTC Asia
THURSDAY, APRIL 3, 2014, KUALA LUMPUR: A total of 25 Malaysian small and medium enterprises (SMEs) participated in the Offshore Technology Conference (OTC) Asia which was held first time in Asia from 25 – 28 March 2014 at Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre. The SMEs reported sales of RM3.33 billion.
Among the oil and gas products sourced were equipment for oil & gas plant, oilfield chemical, pipeline, anti-corrosion chemical, case tubing, vessel, gasket, valve, E-quarters, cathodic protection system, safety apparels and life boat. As for oil and gas services, it included the H2S safety management, engineering design, cleaning, repair, maintenance of pressure vessel & storage tanks, pigging services for pipeline inspection, logistic, non-destructive test (NDT) and fire & gas detection system.
MATRADE also coordinated two Memorandum of Understandings (MOUs) signing between Tekno Logam, Japan Matex and Neuron Japan; and Oilfield Technical Inspection and Sky-Futures Partners Limited. The MOU signing ceremony were witnessed by YB Dato’ Sri Mustapa Mohamed, Minister of International Trade and Industry and Datuk Dr. Wong Lai Sum, CEO of MATRADE.
MATRADE received positive response from many foreign buyers on the high quality and capabilities of Malaysian companies in providing various oilfield and downstream products and services. Many of the exhibitors and buyers looked forward to participating again in OTC Asia 2016.
MATRADE Leads Malaysian Building Materials Exporters into Moscow
MONDAY, MARCH 31, 2014, KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE), will be organising the participation of Malaysian companies in the upcoming international exhibition, MOSBUILD 2014 which will be held at the Expocentre, Moscow, Russian Federation from 1 to 4 April 2014.
The Malaysia Pavilion occupying 12 booths exhibiting products ranging from solar system, timber flooring, aluminium extrusion, playground equipment, electrical products to LED streets light. MOSBUILD is the leading and largest building materials exhibition in Russia and Eastern Europe. It also is a strategic platform for Malaysian companies to tap the huge potential in the emerging markets of Russia, the CIS and also Eastern Europe countries such as Hungary, Poland and the five Central Asian countries of Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan.
According to MATRADE, “One to one business meeting session have been arranged between local importers and the Malaysian exhibitors with over 70 local companies based in Moscow and other cities in Russian Federation and neighbouring countriesâ€.
Apart from the pre-arranged meetings, MATRADE will also be organising a business visit for all the Malaysian delegation to Leroy Merlin, a hypermarket for building materials in Moscow. With the upcoming FIFA World Cup 2018 in Russia, the housing and properties market is expected to expand together with the developments in road and transport infrastructure across Russia, thus leading to increased demand for construction and building materials. Malaysian building material companies interested to explore business prospects in Russia can contact MATRADE for more information.
New Opportunities for Beauty and Personal Care Products in The Dominican Republic Market
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 2, 2014, KUALA LUMPUR: In a recent statement, Malaysia External Development Corporation (MATRADE) said that the Dominican Republic market offers much opportunity for the Malaysian cosmetics sector. Dominican Republic constitutes a sizeable market for cosmetic products and toiletries in the Caribbean.
Malaysian Automotive Companies Recorded Better Sales in INAPA 2014
FRIDAY, MARCH 28, 2014, KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE) for the third consecutive years had organised the participation of Malaysian companies at the Indonesia International Auto Parts, Accessories and Equip Exhibition 2014 (INAPA). The event held from 19 – 22 March 2014 and generated sales of RM70.94 million compare to last year’s sales of RM8.98 million.
Among the products of interest were motorcycle parts and accessories, disc brake pads, battery starter, car care products and accessories, automotive lubricants, steering and suspension parts.
According to MATRADE, “The Indonesian automotive industry is still the major market in ASEAN with car sales in Indonesia and are expected to grow between five and ten percent to 1.3 million of total vehicles in 2014.
In 2013, export of transport equipment was valued at RM9.63 billion. The major transport equipment products to Indonesia were parts & accessories of motor vehicle, parts and accessories of motorcycles & cycles and passenger motor vehicles. Indonesia was also Malaysia’s 4th largest trading partner in 2013
