Press Releases 2015
Training Programme to Foster Stronger Ties with African Countries
TUESDAY, AUGUST 18, 2015, KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE) is spearheading the initiative to organise a technical assistance programme called the Third Country Training Programme (TCTP). Themed as “Trade Promotion for African countries”, the event kicked off on 17 August 2015 until 28 August 2015.
This programme is a collaborative product between MATRADE, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) and the Government of Japan through Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). The TCTP is seen as a medium to fulfil the government’s commitment in strengthening the South-South Cooperation in the area of capacity building among developing countries.
The participants of the programme come from 15 government officials of various ministries and agencies in charge of trade promotion such as from Cote D’Ivoire, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, Rwanda, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe. Among the programmes in TCTP include knowledge-sharing sessions by MATRADE officials, study visits to trade-related Malaysian agencies and networking sessions with Malaysian exporters as well as factory visits.
Besides sharing trade experience and know-how, TCTP will strengthen trade relations between Malaysia and the participating countries from the African nations. Additionally, MATRADE is also leveraging on the programme to explore export opportunities for Malaysia in the participating countries.
2015 marks the second year MATRADE organises TCTP. The first programme was held on 24 November till 5 December 2013. The programme reflects Malaysia’s and Japan’s efforts to help other nations overcome global challenges through capacity building program such as this.
It was reported that from January to June 2015, Malaysia’s trade with African countries stood at RM14.33 billion, where exports were recorded to reach RM9.38 billion and imports at RM4.95 billion. Among the main exports from Malaysia to Africa are palm oil, petroleum products, processed food as well as chemicals and chemical products.
MATRADE Explores Business Opportunities for Oil and Gas Sector in Kuwait
MONDAY, 17 AUGUST, 2015 KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE) will be organising a Specialised Marketing Mission (SMM) for Oil & Sector to Kuwait in conjunction with Kuwait Oil & Gas Show and Conference (KOGS) 2015, which will be held from 11 – 14 October 2015. This mission is MATRADE’s first specialised mission to Kuwait for the oil & gas industry and in KOGS.
The mission aims to explore the opportunities for collaboration between Malaysian and Kuwaiti companies in the oil & gas sector as well as to enhance linkages for Malaysian product and service providers of oil & gas in Kuwait. The mission’s programme includes visits and meetings with relevant oil & gas authorities and major players in Kuwait as well as pre-arranged individual business meetings at KOGS 2015 with potential Kuwaiti and foreign companies.
Kuwait has one of the strongest oil & gas industry environments in the Middle East and is one of the top-10 global producers and exporters of total petroleum liquids. As an OPEC member, Kuwait has the world’s sixth largest oil reserves and currently produced approximately 2.5 million barrel-per-day (bpd). Kuwait aims to reach a production capacity of 4 million bpd by the year 2020. As a result, Kuwait has announced a series of large-scale ventures, including Project Kuwait, to encourage foreign investments. Apart from that, Kuwait is also focussing on natural gas exploration and development, aiming at building one of the largest downstream projects in the Middle East – all of which promises export opportunities for Malaysian companies.
KOGS 2015 incorporates an international exhibition of oil & gas hardware and services, as well as a technical conference programme. The 3-day exhibition serves all areas of the oil & gas industry and is in line with the 3-day multi-disciplinary conference programme focuses particularly on science and engineering. Interested companies can register at http://www.matrade.gov.my/en/online-applications/specialised-marketing-mission to participate in the SMM. The closing date for the registration is 28th August 2015. For more information, contact MATRADE’s Oil & Gas and Chemical Section at 03 – 6207 7077 (ext. 7682).
3 Sourcing Visits by International Buyers Generated RM119.53 Mil of Export Sales
TUESDAY, August 11, 2015, KUALA LUMPUR: Three recent sourcing visits organised by Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE) for Malaysian companies with international buyers have generated RM 119.53 million worth of export sales. The three international buyers were the Home Retails Group from the United Kingdom, Boots Retail Thailand and SN Wide Reach Marketing from the Philippines.
The Home Retail Group is United Kingdom’s leading home and general merchandise retailers with 1,100 stores and 50,000 product lines. Boots Retail is a major pharmacy-led health and beauty retailer in Thailand with 250 outlets. SN Wide Reach Marketing is one of the leading distributors of industrial chemicals, medical supplies, gloves and nutraceutical in the Phillipines.
A total of 22 Malaysia’s suppliers were involved in the meetings arranged at the Malaysia’s Export Exhibition Center (MEEC), MATRADE. Products sourced include home electronic appliances, outdoor and indoor furniture, plastic household items, tiles and flooring, food supplements, medical supplies, gloves and PVC food wrap.
MATRADE's Director of Lifestyle Section, Abu Bakar Yusof said MEEC serves as a focal point for buyers sourcing for high quality and competitively priced Malaysian products and services. “MECC caters to the need of not only international buyers but also Multinational Companies (MNCs) in Malaysia seeking for locally-made products and services. Domestic trading companies or traders are also able to source products for exports”, he mentioned.
The MEEC is a permanent display centre sprawling over 4,500 sq meters and is exclusively designed to showcase and promote various Malaysian products and services. The permanent display center, located on the 2nd floor of Menara MATRADE, allows trade visitors to discover and examine a wide selection of products and services from over 500 Malaysia companies both manufacturers and service providers, covering 30 industry subsectors such as Green Technology, Electrical and Electronics, Chemicals, Automotive, Rubber, Plastics, Pharmaceuticals, Food and Beverage as well as Timber and Wood based products. It also covers services industries such as Oil and Gas, Construction, Business Services, Healthcare and Education.
IBC Power Talk To Improve Export Awareness Among M'sia’s Indian Business Community
THURSDAY, AUGUST 13, 2015, KUALA LUMPUR: To increase the export engagement among Indian business community in Malaysia, Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE) will be organising a talk titled Indian Business Community Power Talk (IBC Power Talk) on 19 August 2015. This inaugural event will take place at Perdana Hall, 6th floor (West Wing) in Menara MATRADE, Kuala Lumpur and is set to start from 9am till 1pm.
Driven by the objective to deepen export awareness among the Malaysia’s Indian business community, the talk is considered a capacity building programme. It will feature diverse topics such as on MATRADE’s roles and functions in assisting exporters and potential in online exports via e-marketplaces. There will also be an experience sharing-session by Indian-owned companies that have successfully made global presence through the exports of their products or services. Complementing these are a trade clinic session and a business consultation session.
MATRADE’s Chief Executive Officer Dato’ Dzulkifli Mahmud opined that this initiative will enhance the Indian business community export contributions to the nation. “There are a substantial amount of successful Indian companies in the country and MATRADE wishes to strengthen and accelerate their export performance for the benefit of Malaysia’s economy. This aspiration of globalising their businesses can be realised by first increasing their awareness in exports,” Dato’ Dzulkifli said.
All Indian businesses enterprises ready to export or exporting are encouraged to attend the IBC Power Talk to gain export knowledge and to network with other players in the export industry.
Participation is free and registration can be made on www.matrade.gov.my.For more details, interested participants can contact Mr Sobirin or Ms Norzulaila at 03-6207 7146 or 03-6207 7144, respectively.
Business Sector Invited To ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) Open Day
THURSDAY, AUGUST 6, 2014, KUALA LUMPUR: Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI) together with Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE) and SME Corporation will be organising the AEC Open Day on 10 August 2015 at Menara MATRADE, Jalan Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah, Kuala Lumpur. The open day is to further enhance the understanding among the business sector on the growth opportunities that AEC will create for their business in the region.
The AEC is defined by four pillars - creating a single market and production base, increasing competitiveness, promoting equitable economic development, and integrating ASEAN into the global economy. To synergise the region’s markets and production hubs, this would entail the free flow of goods, services, investments, capital and skilled labour. Malaysia as the Chair of ASEAN this year is ramping up its efforts to promote the region by organising talks and fora for Malaysian business communities, among its other activities.
With the slogan ‘Thinking Globally, Prospering Regionally’, the programme from 8.00am to 4.00pm will be officiated by the Secretary General of MITI YBhg. Tan Sri Dr Rebecca Fatima Sta Maria. The highlight of the event will be a dialogue on AEC with the Minister of MITI, YB. Dato’ Sri Mustapa Mohamed.
Apart from getting an overview on the AEC, the event will also create a platform to showcase various market opportunities in ASEAN for Malaysian businesses, especially SMEs. The panel of speakers includes MATRADE Trade Commissioners to the ASEAN countries and representatives from the Business Councils. Selected Malaysian companies are ready to share their success stories in ASEAN at this event. How to reduce cost in business is one of the key topics by MITI at the event, which will be of interest to many in the export sector.
MATRADE invites Malaysian companies, manufacturers, exporters and suppliers to attend the AEC open day to gain more knowledge and explore the business potential in the ASEAN market.
Participation is Free of Charge and registration can be done online via MATRADE’s website (http://www.matrade.gov.my/en/online-applications/matrades-exporters-training-programme/470). The closing date for registration is 7 August 2015. Contact Syed Zahirulddin / Mr. Sobirin at 03-6207 7143 / 7146 or email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. / This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for more details.
