Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation

Cross-Border eCommerce Conference “Driving Export Business Through The Online Marketplace” and the First National eCommerce Council (NeCC) Meeting

1. The inaugural Cross-Border eCommerce Conference marked another milestone for the eTRADE programme implemented by the Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE). The programme aims to promote the adoption of e-commerce among Malaysian businesses, in particular Malaysian SMEs, in their export efforts.

2. Through the eTRADE programme, for instance, Malaysian SMEs can now sell their products and services on several leading online marketplaces. At the conference, which was attended by more than 600 participants, representatives from Alibaba.com, TradeIndia.com, eBay.com, Amazon.com and JinBaoMen (M) Sdn Bhd highlighted the opportunities available on their online services for Malaysian exporters. MATRADE, in collaboration with these online marketplaces, will help Malaysian SMEs enhance their online presence through its eTRADE programme.

3. In his Keynote Address at the Conference, International Trade and Industry Minister YB Dato’ Sri Mustapa Mohamed stressed that the growth of eCommerce was vital to Malaysia’s economic future. "The Government is committed to encouraging the increase in the adoption of eCommerce. The 11th Malaysia Plan (RMK11) has set the eCommerce GDP contribution at 6.4% (RM114 billion) by 2020," he said. In 2014, eCommerce contribution to Malaysia’s GDP was 5.8% or RM63.8 billion.

4. The Minister urged local SMEs to leverage on the various initiatives introduced by the Government such as the e-Payment, MYCYBERSALE, e-Usahawan and eTRADE channels to boost their export options.

5. The Conference, which was organised by MATRADE in collaboration with MDeC, was supported by MITI, the National Chambers of Commerce and Industry Malaysia (NCCIM) and the Bumiputera Manufacturers and Services Industry Association of Malaysia (PPIPBM). It featured presentations by experts from AT Kearney, MDeC, CyberSecurity Malaysia and Prestige Communications on various topics, including e-Commerce global trends, security and fraud risks and aspects of digital marketing.

6. The Conference also witnessed the introduction of the inaugural eTRADE Achievement Award, which recognises the achievement of six Malaysian SMEs in the eTRADE programme. The award seeks to encourage more SMEs to emulate the winners.

7. Since the establishment of the eTRADE Programme on 1 October 2014, 426 Malaysian SMEs with wide range of products -- including food and beverages, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics and toiletries, automotive, parts and components, machinery and equipment, apparel and chemical products -- have joined the programme. Further information on the eTRADE programme is available at eTRADE.

8. In conjunction with the Conference, YB Dato' Sri Mustapa also chaired the inaugural meeting of the newly established inter-agency National eCommerce Council. The establishment of the Council was decided upon at the 27th MSC Implementation Council Meeting in October 2015 chaired by the Prime Minister of Malaysia. MITI was tasked to lead the Council, which will serve as a platform to guide the governance of the eCommerce industry.

9. At its meeting, the Council took stock of the existing eCommerce ecosystem and discussed issues and challenges faced by the industry. The participants included stakeholders from all sectors of the eCommerce industry.