Press Releases 2023
MATRADE Excels in its Role as a Training Institution in TCTP 2023
KUALA LUMPUR, THURSDAY, 19 OCTOBER 2023 – The Third Country Training Programme (TCTP) 2023: Trade Promotion for African Countries which was held earlier this month has achieved a remarkable success. TCTP is a tripartite cooperation between the Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE), Malaysian Technical Cooperation Programme (MTCP) - a unit under the purview of Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA), and Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).
The event provided significant training and facilitated exchange of valuable knowledge in trade and promotion for fifteen participants from the African continent. This year marks the eighth time that MATRADE is involved in TCTP as a Training Institution since 2013.
TCTP is an initiative implemented under the South-South Cooperation, a technical cooperation for knowledge sharing among developing countries. Participants were selected from key export-oriented African nations such as Algeria, Ghana, Madagascar, Mozambique, Nigeria, Senegal, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zimbabwe. Two observers from The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), were also present to contribute to the overall learning experience.
MATRADE’s transformational initiatives have positioned the national trade promotion agency as an ideal organisation to assume the responsibility of a Training Institution, setting the standard as a role model for its counterpart from the African continent. The 10-day programme comprised a seminar on Business Opportunities in Africa, briefings and industrial visits, emphasising areas such as trade, investment, digitalisation, sustainability initiatives, property development and infrastructure development.
According to him, "TCTP 2023 has made a profound impact on all participants, underscoring MATRADE's exceptional proficiency in event planning and execution. From the seamless selection process to the engaging sessions and invaluable networking opportunities, MATRADE's organisation of TCTP is a testament to our ability to deliver a world-class experience to all participants”. Datuk Mohd Mustafa added that the programme had not only facilitated valuable business connections but also spotlighted Malaysia's pivotal role as a global trade and investment hub.
Undersecretary of International Cooperation and Development Division, MOFA, Devrin Jeck, said that, “the participants are part of a diverse network of our MTCP Alumni, a community comprising more than 37,000 civil servants, senior diplomats, and other important figures from 144 countries since the founding of MTCP in 1980”. He added, “participants should reach out to other fellow MTCP Alumni from African countries and beyond to strengthen cooperation and networking”.
In 2022, Malaysia’s exports with Africa expanded by 33.1 per cent to RM40.46 billion from RM30.40 billion recorded in 2021. Main exports to Africa were palm oil & palm oil-based products, petroleum products and processed food. For the first nine months of 2023, Malaysia’s exports to the continent amounted to RM22.90 billion.
Datuk Mohd Mustafa added, “as a dynamic organisation, MATRADE adapts to the challenges in global economy incorporating digitalisation and sustainability elements in its operation”. He highlighted that it is imperative to amplify Malaysia’s trade through diversification into emerging markets such as the African continent.
MATRADE is expected to continue its role as a Training Institution to third countries in the future TCTPs.
A sharing session by Malaysian companies which have established a strong presence in the African market was also organised to impart invaluable experience and case studies on challenges, strategies, and best practices to thrive in Africa.
Datuk Mohd Mustafa Abdul Aziz, MATRADE's Chief Executive Officer, emphasised the importance of Africa as a continent quoting, “these emerging markets should not be neglected as they provide vast opportunities for Malaysia’s exports”.
MATRADE To Boost Malaysia’s Islamic Financial Services To Central Asia
FRIDAY, 13 OCTOBER 2023, KUALA LUMPUR: Realising the potential of Malaysia’s Islamic Financial Services to be promoted in Central Asia, the Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE) took the initiative to conduct an inaugural session of one to one business meetings with Astana International Financial Centre (AIFC) in conjunction with AIFC’s visit to Malaysia recently.
Held on 4th October 2023, the programme was assisted by the Malaysia International Islamic Financial Centre (MIFC) as the single contact point on the Islamic finance related matters. Through the one (1) day programme, MATRADE arranged a briefing by AIFC followed by individual business meetings between key players of Malaysian Islamic financial institutions and AIFC.
The key role of AIFC is as a regional centre for business and finance, connecting the economies of Central Asia, Caucasus, the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU), Western China, Mongolia, Middle East and Europe. AIFC’s visit to Malaysia was to establish and develop long-term relationship with Malaysian financial institutions and other companies from Malaysia in facilitating the expansion of Malaysian financial businesses to Kazakhstan, promote Kazakh businesses’ outbound activities as well as fostering investment in joint projects.
Malaysia’s leading banking and financial institutions industry players had participated in the B2B meetings. Enquiries raised during the session indicated strong interest from Malaysia’s financial entities to venture into Kazakhstan, being the regional centre for business and finance for the region.
According to the MATRADE’s Senior Director of Export Promotion and Market Access Division, Mr. Amran, Malaysia’s Islamic finance ecosystem is known for its well-established financial regulatory framework, under the purview of Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) and Securities Commission. “With more than 30 years of existence of Islamic finance, Malaysia now has a significant number of Islamic financial entities supported by a conducive environment, which is renowned for continuous products and services innovations and a broad range of conducive Islamic investment instruments. Malaysia’s pioneering role in the development of Islamic banking and finance started from the establishment of Tabung Haji (TH) in 1963. Today, we are proud to note that the State of the Global Islamic Economy Report 2021/2022 by Dinar Standard has affirmed Malaysia was ranked first globally in Islamic Finance,” said YBhg. Datuk Mohd Mustafa.
In the Malaysia Halal Industry Master Plan 2030, Islamic finance has been identified as one of the key enablers to support the implementation of the plan through the innovative Islamic financing structures. National Trade Blueprint (NTBp) further strengthen the intended target through integrated collaboration in the ecosystem.
These plans outlined several recommendations and initiatives that are being implemented towards achieving the outcomes. MATRADE will continue with export promotion activities in engaging Malaysia’s supply side of the industry with foreign demand globally. The industry players are encouraged to be members of MATRADE, which will enable them to be outreached when the opportunities arise.
Malaysian companies that are keen to be part in MATRADE’s programmes are encouraged to contact MATRADE via email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., visit MATRADE’s social media channels or website (www.matrade.gov.my) for more details.
Hari Eksport Pahang: Kolaborasi Antara MATRADE dan BPEN Pahang Membangun Potensi Eksport PMKS
KUALA LUMPUR, 3 OKTOBER 2023 - Perbadanan Pembangunan Perdagangan Luar Malaysia (MATRADE) dengan kerjasama Bahagian Perancang Ekonomi Negeri (BPEN) Pahang akan menganjurkan Hari Eksport Pahang 2023 bagi menggalakkan eksport produk Malaysia, khususnya oleh Perusahaan Mikro, Kecil dan Sederhana (PMKS) di Negeri Pahang dalam usaha meningkatkan perdagangan antarabangsa, menerusi pelbagai aktiviti yang dapat membantu peniaga dan usahawan Pahang menembusi pasaran global.
Program ini juga ditaja oleh Exim Bank Malaysia dan Fusionex Group, dua entiti yang berperanan penting dalam ekosistem perdagangan bagi menyokong pertumbuhan eksport Malaysia.
Hari Eksport Pahang 2023, yang berlangsung selama dua (2) hari ini bermula dari 3 hingga 4 Oktober 2023 di Hotel Zenith, Kuantan, jam 9:00 pagi hingga 5:00 petang telah dirasmikan oleh YB Tuan Ir. Razali bin Kassim, Exco FELDA, Koperasi dan Usahawan Negeri Pahang selaku wakil rasmi YAB Menteri Besar Pahang.
Program ini merupakan platform terbaik untuk menemukan komuniti perniagaan, terutamanya para usahawan tempatan dan pihak-pihak berkaitan dengan eksport bagi memahami pasaran eksport yang luas, menjalin hubungan perniagaan serta berkongsi pengetahuan dalam arena perdagangan antarabangsa.
Timbalan Ketua Pegawai Eksekutif (Pembangunan Pengeksport) MATRADE, Encik Abu Bakar Yusof menegaskan bahawa Hari Eksport Pahang 2023 menyajikan pengisian penting untuk membangunkan lebih ramai usahawan pengeksport baharu di peringkat negeri Pahang sementara dapat mengembangkan pasaran antarabangsa bagi pengeksport sedia ada bagi tujuan meningkatkan ekonomi Malaysia, terutama bagi Negeri Pahang.
“Program ini akan menyediakan maklumat asas berkaitan ekosistem eksport serta pendedahan terhadap khidmat sokongan yang disediakan oleh Kerajaan. MATRADE berharap usahawan negeri Pahang akan memanfaatkan program ini untuk memperluaskan jangkauan eksport mereka, seterusnya menyumbang kepada kemajuan ekonomi Malaysia,” tambah beliau.
Exco FELDA, Koperasi dan Usahawan Negeri Pahang, YB Tuan Ir Razali bin Kassim pula memaklumkan pembangunan usahawan sememangnya antara agenda utama yang diberi perhatian khusus oleh Kerajaan Negeri. Pelbagai inisiatif baru diperkenalkan bagi memastikan usahawan terutamanya Perusahaan Mikro, Kecil dan Sederhana (PMKS) di Negeri Pahang dapat meningkatkan lagi kualiti produk yang dihasilkan supaya produk keluaran anak tempatan Negeri Pahang dapat mencapai standard yang tinggi dan mampu menembusi pasaran di dalam serta di luar negara. Kerajaan Negeri turut menyediakan peruntukan khas bagi tujuan penganjuran program, pembangunan fizikal dan khidmat latihan serta bantuan kewangan. Usaha yang dijalankan turut dipergiatkan dengan jalinan usahasama yang turut dijalankan dengan pelbagai agensi berkaitan keusahawanan sama ada di peringkat negeri dan persekutuan.
“Penganjuran program bersama di antara Kerajaan Negeri dan Kerajaan Persekutuan seperti penganjuran Hari Eksport 2023 adalah satu iniatif yang sangat baik bagi memberi pendedahan kepada usahawan Negeri Pahang. Melalui kerjasama strategik yang dijalankan sudah tentu Kerajaan Negeri berharap usahawan yang hadir dapat merebut peluang melalui platform yang disediakan. Saya selaku Exco yang bertanggungjawab dalam pembangunan keusahawanan sudah pastinya berharap program outreach bersama dengan pihak MATRADE dapat diteruskan di masa-masa hadapan supaya informasi yang tepat dapat disampaikan kerana Kerajaan Negeri percaya PMKS boleh menjadi antara penyumbang utama kepada ekonomi Negeri Pahang,” tambah beliau.
Wakil-wakil dari MATRADE, BPEN Pahang, pihak penaja (Exim Bank Malaysia dan Fusionex Group) serta para pakar industri akan berkongsi pengetahuan tentang proses eksport, peluang pasaran dan strategi terkini dalam perdagangan antarabangsa.
Para peserta Hari Eksport Pahang 2023 juga akan didedahkan dengan pelbagai informasi penting termasuk solusi eksport efektif yang disediakan oleh MATRADE seperti program eTrade, MATRADE Digital Trade Platform (MDTP), MyExport dan MATRADE Digital Learning (MDL) bagi membantu mereka memahami strategi pemasaran digital yang berkesan.
Selain itu, PMKS yang berdaftar dengan MATRADE berpeluang menjalani kaji selidik Export Readiness Assessment Tool (ERAT) iaitu satu sistem yang dibangunkan bagi mengukur tahap kesediaan atau potensi syarikat untuk mengeksport produk dan perkhidmatan mereka.
Negeri Pahang merupakan lokasi ketiga bagi program Hari Eksport selepas diadakan di negeri Selangor pada bulan Ogos yang lalu dan negeri Terengganu pada bulan September. Program ini juga akan diadakan di negeri Johor dan Pulau Pinang pada hujung tahun ini.
MATRADE menyasarkan sekurang-kurangnya 200 peserta di setiap negeri termasuk syarikat-syarikat dan agensi di bawah naungan Kerajaan Negeri.
Untuk maklumat lanjut dan pendaftaran, sila layari laman web rasmi MATRADE di www.matrade.gov.my.
RM450 Million Export Sales Recorded by Malaysian Exhibitors at Abu Dhabi International Petroleum Exhibition & Conference (ADIPEC) 2023
6 OCTOBER, 2023, ABU DHABI: Malaysian exhibitors made a strong presence for their products and services at Abu Dhabi International Petroleum Exhibition & Conference (ADIPEC), 2 – 5 October 2023. More than 400 business meetings were arranged by MATRADE which generated export sales worth RM450 million.
The products and services of interest included customised oil & gas equipment, manufacturing of high-quality ovens for welding electrodes and flux drying applications and in-house fabrication, integrity management, risk assessment and management, asset life extension study, software, Health, Safety, Security, and Environment (HSSE) system, Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) Project Management, scaffolding works, engineering services, pipe inspection, integrity management, and fabrication machining which underscore Malaysia’s capabilities and expertise in the oil & gas industry.
Contented with the outcome which was 28.6 percent higher than the targeted RM350 million, YBhg. Datuk Mohd Mustafa bin Abdul Aziz, Chief Executive Officer of MATRADE stated “This added significantly to Malaysia’s growing exports of oil & gas products to the region that saw almost a four-fold increase in 2022 to RM 2.41 billion to the UAE, as compared to the previous year. We thank all the Malaysian companies that participated in ADIPEC 2023 and look forward to more Malaysian exporters involvement in this region”.
The 20 Malaysian oil and gas companies that were present in Malaysian Pavilion, ADIPEC 2023 had shared the strong business interest they received including business leads from trade visitors. To enhance the visibility and market access opportunities for Malaysian companies and their counterparts in the region, business meetings were also arranged between the Malaysian exhibitors with several prominent oil and gas companies in the Middle East region including Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC), and Saudi’s NESMA United Industries. At the same time, MATRADE also invited Petroleum Development Oman (PDO), the National Oil Company of Oman to share the opportunities in Oman and their vendor registration process with Malaysian companies to facilitate market penetration effort in the country.
UAE and the region offer tremendous opportunities for Malaysian companies as they continue to launch mega projects in both upstream and downstream sectors and invest heavily in clean energy and reduction of carbon footprint. Malaysian companies are in an advantageous position to offer cost-effective solutions. In this regard, YBhg. Datuk Mohd Mustafa further stated that Malaysian companies offering digital technologies for offshore and onshore solutions has a significant advantage for business expansion opportunities in the region.
Currently, Malaysian oil & gas companies are actively involved in projects in the Middle East region, with the highest concentration in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman, and Iraq. As such, MATRADE will endeavour to promote and deepen market access for Malaysian O&G companies in key markets in the region. “Apart from our participation in ADIPEC, we have also been supporting the Malaysian companies by linking them to National Oil Companies (NOCs) in the region so that they can expand their businesses and market share globally”, added YBhg. Datuk Mohd Mustafa.
MATRADE is Malaysia’s trade promotion agency and has 49 global offices in major cities around the world. MATRADE’s global offices assist Malaysian companies in areas such as facilitating business opportunities and fine-tuning their export strategies according to the requirements of the targeted market.
MATRADE Helped To Generate RM625.42 Million Trade Deal From Malaysia’s Participation At The 20th China – ASEAN EXPO
2 October 2023, KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE) led a participation of 107 Malaysian companies and 9 other government agencies, occupying 116 booths at the recently concluded 20th China - ASEAN Expo (CAEXPO) 2023, which was held in Nanning, China from 16 – 19 September 2023.
Malaysia’s participation, regarded as one of largest in the event, ended with another resounding success, reporting an overall export sale worth RM625.42 million. The participation outlined impactful activities and programmes arranged by MATRADE which included livestreaming sessions with Key Opinion Leaders (KOL) and business meetings with established Chinese companies being clients to major Chinese banks. The recorded export sales are in food & beverage, healthcare & wellness, lifestyle products as well as services.
This year's buzz at Malaysia Pavilion was boasted with the launch by YAB Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. Also present at the launch were YB Senator Tengku Datuk Seri Utama Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz, Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry, YB Nga Kor Ming, Minister of Housing and Local Government, YB Datuk Mohamad Bin Alamin, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and YB Chan Foong Hin, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Food Security.
The participation also witnessed the golden moments with ten Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) signed and exchanged between Malaysian companies and Chinese corporations.
The 20th CAEXPO symbolises two pivotal milestones – the 20th anniversary of China-ASEAN strategic partnership and the inception of CAEXPO. Malaysia’s participation in the event this year also marked the 20th participation since 2004.
Malaysia’s participation was further strengthened with presence of key government agencies such as Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (MAFS), Malaysia Investment Development Authority (MIDA), Education Malaysia (EM), Malaysian Palm Oil Board (MPOB), Department of Industrial Development and Research (DIDR Sabah), Northern Corridor Implementation Authority (NCIA), East Coast Economic Region Development Council (ECERDC), and PR1MA Corporation Malaysia. Meanwhile, Tourism Malaysia organised a series of colourful performances promoting Malaysia tourism at the City of Charm Hall.
Malaysia Pavilion represented a wide range of industries, including wellness, pharmaceuticals, personal care, Halal, and, most importantly, green and sustainable products / services. The wide sectoral engagement reflects the changes and needs brought about by China's massive population, consumer segments, high buying power, and lifestyle changes.
The participation in the 20th CAEXPO was carefully planned and strategized by MATRADE to ensure Malaysian brands are well promoted in China, given the fact that the 20th CAEXPO returned for the first time as a fully physical event after China opened its borders early this year. Series of activities prior to the exhibition as well as throughout the four days of the event were lined up. MATRADE coordinated online business matchings between Malaysian exhibitors and potential Chinese buyers, being clients of the China Construction Bank (CCB) prior to the event from 6 - 8 September 2023. More than 230 online business matchings were pre-arranged for Malaysian exhibitors through CCB’s digital matching platform known as CCB Matchplus.
During the 4 days of exhibition, promotion was enhanced with various activities at the Malaysia Pavilion, which included KOL livestreaming sessions attended by millions of Chinese viewers, products selection, media interviews, cooking demonstrations of our red palm oil as well as launching of the cross border QR payment to facilitate further business transactions between Malaysia and China enterprises.
Malaysia Pavilion also highlighted MATRADE’s illustrious 30th year of anniversary with 49 offices worldwide, the World Trade Promotion Organizations (WTPO) Award under the “Best Use of Information Technology”, Malaysia’s key industries as well as Malaysia – China Bilateral trade growth from the start of CAEXPO in 2004 until 2022.
Datuk Mohd Mustafa Abdul Aziz, CEO of MATRADE said that “China, being our largest trading partner, certainly remains as one of our most important export markets for Malaysian companies. As a result of MATRADE’s strategies and proactive efforts including in arranging impactful activities and business meetings, Malaysia’s participation in CAEXPO has secured significant value of export sales and business partnerships”.
The continued sourcing by the Chinese buyers demonstrates the quality, resilience and competitiveness of Malaysian products and services, rolling on the growth momentum of the trade dealings between Malaysia and China at CAEXPO for the past 20 years. MATRADE takes pride in its three decades of championing global excellence to continue focusing on enhancing the close engagement with the Chinese business communities in connecting them with Malaysian capable exporters in order to drive exports to China, added Datuk Mohd Mustafa.
For the period of 2004 – 2022, Malaysia’s trade with China expanded by almost sixfold. China was ranked as Malaysia’s 4th largest trading partner in 2004 and later moved up to be Malaysia’s largest trading partner in 2009 for 14 consecutive years, with an average annual Growth (AAG) of 12%. China also became Malaysia’s 2nd largest export market in 2022 and Malaysia’s largest import source since 2011.
