Press Releases 2015

MEEC DI MATRADE: LOKASI IDEAL UNTUK PROMOSI PRODUK & PERKHIDMATAN MALAYSIA

KHAMIS, 30 DISEMBER, 2015, KUALA LUMPUR: Perbadanan Pembangunan Perdagangan Luar Malaysia (MATRADE) sebagai agensi promosi eksport negara menggalakkan syarikat-syarikat tempatan untuk menjadikan Pusat Pameran Eksport Malaysia atau MEEC di Menara MATRADE sebagai lokasi untuk mempamerkan produk mereka kepada pembeli global serta pusat padanan perniagaan dengan pengimport luar negara.

MEEC adalah satu-satunya pusat pameran ekslusif yang direka di Malaysia bagi pengeksport tempatan. Pusat pameran ini yang diselenggarakan MATRADE, mempunyai keluasan 4,500 meter persegi dan mempamerkan pelbagai produk lebih dari 500 syarikat. Ia meliputi 30 sub-sektor seperti produk logam & mesin, elektrik & elektronik, automotif & bahagian auto, makanan & minuman, teknologi hijau, produk getah, bahan binaan, plastik & pembungkusan, produk konsumer bergerak pantas (FCMG) termasuk produk gaya hidup dan sektor perkhidmatan.

Selain menyediakan ruang pameran, MEEC juga adalah pusat bagi penyumberan produk dan perkhidmatan Buatan Malaysia oleh pengimport dari luar negara. Aktiviti padanan perniagaan bersama pembeli antarabangsa ini dijalankan melalui International Sourcing Programme atau INSP. Setakat bulan Oktober 2015, sebanyak RM165.17 juta hasil jualan telah berjaya dijana melalui inisiatif INSP.

Pusat pameran yang berfokus kepada eksport ini menerima kunjungan daripada pembeli asing dan delegasi perdagangan dari dalam dan luar negara. Sehingga bulan Disember 2015, MEEC telah menerima kunjungan lebih daripada 6,200 orang dari pelbagai syarikat dan organisasi asing serta individu terkenal antaranya Barclays Bank dari Uganda, delegasi perniagaan dari Al-Westa, Oman, kumpulan runcit terkemuka di Eropah seperti Home Retail Group (United Kingdom) dan Metro Group (Germany) serta pakar pemasaran tersohor dunia Philip Kotler.

Philip Kotler yang ditemui semasa lawatan beliau berkata, “Pusat pameran ini adalah antara yang terbaik di dunia pernah saya lawati.”

Terletak di Tingkat 2, Menara MATRADE di Kuala Lumpur, MEEC melengkapkan fasiliti-fasiliti fizikal MATRADE yang lain seperti Pusat Informasi Perniagaan (BIC) dan Pusat Integrasi Eksport (ICE).

MATRADE COLLABORATES WITH AEON TO PUSH MALAYSIA’S EXPORTS OF HALAL PRODUCTS & SERVICES INTO JAPAN

MONDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2015, KUALA LUMPUR: In a bid to strengthen Malaysia’s Halal products and services footprint in Japan, Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE) in collaboration with AEON Co. (M) Bhd organised a briefing on export opportunities in Japan for Malaysian companies. The briefing was held in Menara MATRADE on 21 December 2015.

The programme was part of MATRADE’s efforts to encourage Malaysian companies to tap into the emerging Halal industry in Japan and to leverage on the demand expected for Halal products and services during the Tokyo Olympic 2020. At the session, attendees were briefed on the strategy to access Japan’s market through AEON and were also given an understanding of the requirements and procedures to supply their products to AEON’s supermarkets in Japan.

AEON is one of the major retailers in Japan with businesses covering general merchandise store, convenience store, specialty store and also real estate for retail with more than 5,000 outlets in Japan. Its operating revenue was reported to be RM239 billion (USD70.78 billion) in 2014. The brand is currently available in over 13 countries including China (Mainland and HK), Cambodia, Indonesia, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam and Malaysia.

The Tokyo Olympic 2020, which will take place from 24 July to 9 August 2020 in Japan, offers an abundance of opportunities for Malaysian companies to access the market in Japan. In preparation for the world’s sporting event, there have been continuous efforts by Japanese companies to ensure there are sufficient halal products for the sporting communities, tourist and Muslim populations in Japan.

Their focused is on the Malaysian Halal brands given that Malaysia is one of the world’s top Halal products and services providers.

As one of the largest importers in the world, with an estimated shipment value of around USD225 billion in the food service sector where 60 percent of its total food supply is imported Japan is heavily dependent on imported foods.

In 2014, Malaysia exports of processed food to Japan was valued at RM620.3 million an increase of 32.7 percent compared to the previous year. Top 5 products that showed the significant increase were cocoa & cocoa preparation, prepared cereals & flour, edible products & preparation and sugar & sugar confectionery. For the first 10 months (January-October 2015), exports of processed food also showed an increase of 25.3 percent, valued at RM654.7 million. Being Malaysia’s 3rd largest trading partner for exports, Japan’s total bilateral trade was valued at RM137.33 billion in 2014.

 

MATRADE INTRODUCES LARGE CORPORATIONS AND SMEs PARTNERSHIP PROGRAMME TO STIMULATE SERVICES EXPORT

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 14, 2015, KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE) announced its latest initiative to help boost Malaysia’s exports of services - Large Corporation-SME Partnership Programme at Menara MATRADE, Kuala Lumpur today. The partnership programme is an initiative by the government to increase the export of services sector and its contribution to the national economy.

The programme aims to increase the number of partnership between Malaysia’s large corporations and SMEs for international projects by way of procurement of the SME’s services by the large corporations. Under this partnership arrangement, SME service providers will benefit in terms of knowledge transfer, capacity building and international exposure.

The partnership programme will run for five years until 2020 and targets to assist a minimum of 10 SMEs and three partnerships yearly, throughout the five year period. Participation into the programme is open to Malaysian companies involved in the services sector or companies aspiring to export their services.

“Collaboration between large corporations and SMEs is the way to go. The partnership will give SMEs the opportunities to enhance their capabilities and gain exposure in foreign ventures with large corporations. Mentoring and emulating best practices should be encouraged in business,” said Dato’ Dzulkifli Mahmud, CEO of MATRADE.

The partnership programme is one of the initiatives listed in the Services Sector Blueprint which was launched in March 2015 by YAB Prime Minister of Malaysia Dato’ Seri Najib Tun Haji Abdul Razak. The Blueprint outlines strategic approach to optimise the services sector’s contribution to Malaysia’s economy. The services sector contributed 55 per cent to the gross domestic product (GDP) in 2014 and provided eight million jobs representing 61% of total employment of the country.

Exports of services in the third quarter of 2015 increased by 1.7% to RM34.14 billion (Year-on-Year basis) and higher by 3.9% compared to quarter two of 2015. The increase in exports were contributed mainly by higher exports of telecommunications, computer and information services (TCIS), construction as well as transports sector.

MALAYSIAN FURNITURE SUPPLIERS SECURE EXPORT DEALS FROM WORLD’S LEADING FURNITURE BUYERS AT INSP

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2015, KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysian furniture manufacturers participating in Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation’s (MATRADE) International Sourcing Programme (INSP) for furniture reaped RM42 million in export sales recently. The INSP was held in Menara MATRADE and involved international buyers from Russia, United States (US), India and Nigeria.

MATRADE’s Lifestyle Section Director Mr. Abu Bakar Yusof said the INSP for Furniture was part of MATRADE’s quick win measures aimed at boosting exports of Malaysian furniture products to various markets. The special programme also served as an excellent cost-effective avenue for Malaysian companies, especially SMEs, to network with potential trade partners and to penetrate into foreign markets.

A total of 115 business meetings with 22 Malaysian furniture producers and four factory visits to furniture manufacturers were held during the programme. The buyers to source for Malaysian furniture ranging from home furniture (upholstered sofa, dining, living and bedroom furniture), outdoor furniture and office furniture (chair, workstation, storage and filing cabinet).

Among the Malaysian furniture companies involved in the B2B business meetings were Marcoco, Gaoya, Procasa, Sintrium, Safari Furniture, Dee Noon Corporation, Jemaramas Jaya, Simewood Product, VG Sofa, Ganiart, Hupsheng, Synergy Wood, Dynamic Furniture, VS Office Furniture, BS Furniture, Sim Hup Seng, Chinfon and Hume Furniture, among many others.

"The INSP for furniture programme, besides its objective of generating sales and expanding Malaysia’s export markets, was also organised to build greater awareness of Malaysian products, which are high in quality and competitively priced," Abu Bakar said.

The 10 international buyers participating in the event were Home Town from Future Group (India), Pepperfry (Leading Online Retailer from India), VAVA Furniture Nig Ltd (Nigeria), Universal Furniture Ltd (Nigeria), TetChair (Russia), SXLDY Trade Ltd (Russia), Mebellier (Russia) and Kondoor Limited Company (Russia) and Ashley Furniture (US).

Malaysia’s exports of furniture in the first 10 months of 2015 registered a 13 per cent increase to reach RM7.5 billion as compared to last year’s performance. Exports of furniture to India in the first 10 months totalled RM270 million, US RM2.31 billion, Russia RM41.4 million and Nigeria RM2.5 million.

Abu Bakar mentioned that Malaysia’s furniture exports are expected to increase between 9 to 10 per cent this year from the RM8.01 billion in total exports registered in 2014.

MISSION TO PROMOTE MALAYSIAN FURNITURE IN MUMBAI PROVED FRUITFUL

MONDAY, DECEMBER 14, 2015, KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE) has recently organised a Specialised Marketing Mission (SMM) on furniture to Mumbai from 1 – 5 December 2015. The mission, which involved eight Malaysia’s furniture suppliers, has registered sales of RM 44 million.

The event was organised as part of MATRADE’s quick-win measures to boost exports of Malaysian furniture products globally especially in India. The event has also provided Malaysian companies an opportunity to meet with India’s largest retailers as well as project owners in India.

India has been identified as a high-potential market for Malaysian furniture players as there is a growing middle class and an increasing amount of expendable income contributing to a rapid growth in India’s furniture retail. In 2014, India was the 8th largest consumer of furniture and among the top-5 retail markets in the world.

New retail channels such as e-retail have further increased the penetration into the market and offered greater exposure especially among the young consumers. The online furniture retail in India accounted for USD 115 million in 2014. However, it is expected to grow swiftly to USD 2.3 billion by 2018. Increased internet penetration and growth in smart-phone usage, especially in India’s Tier-II and Tier-III cities, are also driving the growth. More than 50 per cent of the online buyers hail from these cities.

In the first ten months of 2015, India’s imports of furniture from Malaysia have grown 37.5 per cent to RM270.1 million. Malaysia was the second largest furniture exporter to India during this period after China. This huge jump in imports was due to competitiveness of Malaysian products in India along with the increased growth of organised furniture retail.

Free Trade Agreements such as ASEAN India Free Trade Agreement (AIFTA) and Malaysia India Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (MICECA) have also led to the reduction of import duties for furniture products in India giving an additional age for Malaysian products.

MATRADE Mumbai Trade Commissioner, Mr. Mazlan Harun said “In order to maximise the delegation’s visit to India, a series of meetings were organised with four of the largest furniture retail chains in India. As part of the strategies to promote Malaysian furniture in the fast growing e-commerce sector in India, various meetings were also organised with the top three Indian general e-marketplaces and an Indian top furniture e-retailer. In addition, 148 business meetings were coordinated between the Malaysian companies and selected Indian importers.”

Major Indian real estate developers too, participated in the business meetings to source for furniture for their real estate projects across India. Complementing this was the participation of interior fit out and design companies who came to understand the latest trends in Malaysian furniture to directly source these products for their various commercial projects in India.

“The Indian companies were interested in products like upholstered sofa, dining and living sets, and bedroom furniture, bedding, DIY furniture and office furniture,” Mazlan said.