Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation

THURSDAY, 15 JANUARY 2015, KUALA LUMPUR: The national trade promotion agency, Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE), is all geared up to embrace 2015 albeit the modest growth of global economy forecasted this year. MATRADE will embark on high-impact initiatives that are focused on enhancing market access to accelerate exports in the year 2015 onwards.

MATRADE targets greater market access overseas for exporters in high value sectors including electrical & electronic, medical devices, transport equipment, optical & scientific equipment, oil & gas, chemicals, transport equipment and building materials as well as machinery. Through the programme planned, more partnerships between local firms and global companies will be realised, easing the access into the markets.

MATRADE is placing greater emphasis in introducing more focused programs in ASEAN, especially on greenfield marketplaces. As ASEAN takes up 28 per cent of Malaysia’s exports, there are ample opportunities to enhance trade linkages among the countries in the region.

For expanding exports of services, the agency is set to intensify the promotion of the services sector by concentrating on high growth tradable services in industries covering creative industry, Information and Communications Technology (ICT), professional services, healthcare as well as education.

In line with this, MATRADE will be deepening its programme for SMEs including Go-Ex. Go-Ex is a program launched in 2014 by MATRADE to create a group of export-ready companies to venture into different markets. Among the potential sectors identified in Go-Ex Program include oil & gas, food & beverages, lifestyle, electrical & electronics, ICT, healthcare, automotive and building materials.

As for the Mid-Tier Programme, selected companies that have established export market will be facilitated to further increase their export revenue and become regional champions.

Realising the big potential e-commerce has in the global marketplace, MATRADE will further boost SME’s adoption of e-commerce through MATRADE’s eTrade program, – a collaborative effort with Multimedia Development Corporation (MDeC) to create a platform for Malaysian exporters market their products online.

MATRADE’s Chief Executive Officer Datuk Dr Wong Lai Sum said, “The new approaches MATRADE is undertaking will enhance the competitiveness of Malaysian exports and strengthen the country’s position as one of the world’s top exporters.”

Complementing the wide range of export promotion programmes, MATRADE will amplify its exporters’ development activities. With the aim to internationalised more Malaysian companies, MATRADE’s development program will be more focused and with the intention of enhancing the competitiveness of especially SMEs.

MATRADE also assist to equip Malaysian companies with a better understanding of the peculiarities and needs of different markets so they can offer the ‘right’ products or services. In moving up the country’s global value chain, MATRADE will carry out market assessments and assist the companies to participate in global supply chain.

MATRADE’s digital infrastructure will be improved to allow faster export-related information delivery. This will help exporters make quick and well-informed business decisions to stay ahead of the competition. Companies can leverage on MATRADE’s online service and mobile app called MyExport to attain useful information on export. The service can be utilised upon registering as a MATRADE’s member.

In total, there are 116 programmes planned by MATRADE in 46 countries around Asia, Europe, the Middle East and America. The programmes and markets have been carefully selected to benefit exporters and it is important that the private sector confirmed their participation as early as possible as places are limited.

For more information on MATRADE, its events and services, visit www.matrade.gov.my or download MATRADE Mobile App (Trade2Media).