Press Releases 2023
Malaysia's External Trade Performance for August 2023
40th Consecutive Month of Trade Surplus
Malaysia registered the 40th consecutive month of trade surplus in August 2023, registering a year-on-year (y-o-y) growth of 0.1% to RM17.31 billion. Total trade decreased by 19.8% to RM213.01 billion amid slower global demand and lower commodity prices. Exports was lower by 18.6% to RM115.16 billion and imports edged down by 21.2% to RM97.85 billion. The performance was similar to Malaysia’s key trading partners notably the Republic of Korea (ROK), China, Taiwan and Indonesia which recorded negative trade growth for August 2023 and drop in their global imports.
Compared to July 2023, trade, exports, imports and trade surplus contracted by 1.5%, 1.4%, 1.6% and 0.3%, respectively.
For the period of January to August 2023, trade reduced by 8.1% to RM1.718 trillion compared to the same period of last year. Exports shrank by 7.6% to RM935.22 billion, imports slipped by 8.6% to RM782.29 billion and trade surplus fell by 2% to RM152.92 billion, respectively.
Export Performance of Major Sectors
Manufactured Goods Contributed 85.4% to Total Exports
In August 2023, exports of manufactured goods which accounted for 85.4% or RM98.36 billion of total exports dropped by 17.7% y-o-y following reduced demand for electrical and electronic (E&E) products, petroleum products as well as palm oil-based manufactured products. Meanwhile, export growth was registered for paper and pulp products as well as processed food.
Exports of mining goods (7.3% share) was lower by 23.1% y-o-y to RM8.46 billion due to reduced exports of liquefied natural gas (LNG) and crude petroleum.
Exports of agriculture goods (6.6% share) decreased by 27.1% to RM7.61 billion compared to August 2022 owing to slower exports of palm oil and palm oil-based agriculture products that was affected significantly by weaker export prices of palm oil.
Major exports in August 2023:
- E&E products, valued at RM43.38 billion and accounted for 37.7% of total exports, decreased by 15.3% compared to August 2022;
- Petroleum products, RM12.44 billion, 10.8% of total exports, ↓38.6%;
- Chemicals and chemical products, RM5.99 billion, 5.2% of total exports, ↓10%;
- Palm oil and palm oil-based agriculture products, RM5.56 billion, 4.8% of total exports, ↓31.9%; and
- Machinery, equipment and parts, RM5.06 billion, 4.4% of total exports, ↓9.9%.
On a month-on-month (m-o-m) basis, exports of mining and agriculture goods rose by 15.3% and 0.7%, respectively while exports of manufactured goods edged down by 3%.
For the period of January to August 2023, exports of manufactured goods contracted by 5.9% to RM800.62 billion compared to the same period of 2022 following decreased exports of palm oil-based manufactured products, manufactures of metal and rubber products. However, strong exports of paper and pulp products, processed food as well as E&E products cushioned the impact of the decline.
Exports of mining goods slipped by 9.1% to RM68.27 billion on lower shipments of crude petroleum, LNG as well as petroleum condensates and other petroleum oil.
Exports of agriculture goods fell by 25.8% to RM60.81 billion, due to slower exports of palm oil and palm oil-based agriculture products following decrease in export prices of palm oil.
Trade Performance with Major Markets
ASEAN Comprised 27.9% of Total Trade
In August 2023, trade with ASEAN comprised 27.9% or RM59.46 billion of Malaysia’s total trade, dropped by 16.3% y-o-y. Exports weakened by 20.6% to RM33.48 billion as a result of reduced exports of petroleum products and E&E products. Meanwhile, higher exports was recorded for machinery, equipment and parts as well as LNG. Imports from ASEAN eased by 9.9% to RM25.98 billion.
Breakdown of exports to ASEAN countries:
- Singapore RM16.81 billion, decreased by 19.3%;
- Thailand RM4.53 billion, ↓22.3%;
- Viet Nam RM4.35 billion, ↑23.4%;
- Indonesia RM4.00 billion, ↓40.3%;
- Philippines RM2.98 billion, ↑12.6%;
- Brunei RM426.0 million, ↓46.0%;
- Myanmar RM204.8 million, ↓85.3%;
- Cambodia RM168.0 million, ↓59.9%; and
- Lao PDR RM17.0 million, ↓66.6%.
Exports to ASEAN major markets that recorded double-digit growth was Viet Nam which grew by RM825.7 million and the Philippines, increased by RM333.8 million supported by strong exports of petroleum products, respectively.
Compared to July 2023, trade, exports and imports decreased by 2.3%, 3.2% and 1.1%, respectively.
For the period of January to August 2023, trade with ASEAN was lower by 7.5% to RM475.32 billion compared to the corresponding period of 2022. Exports edged down by 6.3% to RM278.73 billion due to slower shipment of chemicals and chemical products, petroleum products as well as palm oil and palm oil-based agriculture products. The contraction however was softened by higher exports of non-metallic mineral products as well as jewellery. Imports from ASEAN contracted by 9.1% to RM196.59 billion.
China – Trade Was Lower in August 2023
In August 2023, trade with China which absorbed 16.7% or RM35.65 billion of Malaysia’s total trade reduced by 18.7% y-o-y. Exports to China fell by 20.3% to RM14.72 billion on lower exports of E&E products and LNG. Nonetheless, export growth was posted for paper and pulp products as well as petroleum products. Imports from China shrank by 17.5% to RM20.94 billion.
Compared to July 2023, imports expanded by 2.8% while trade and exports were down by 4.1% and 12.4%, respectively.
Trade with China during the first eight months of 2023 slipped by 8.7% to RM288.51 billion compared to the same period of 2022. Exports fell by 8.6% to RM123.6 billion on account of decreased exports of iron and steel products, E&E products as well as palm oil and palm oil-based agriculture products. Despite the contraction, higher exports was posted for paper and pulp products as well as metalliferous ores and metal scrap. Imports from China dropped by 8.7% to RM164.9 billion.
The US – Absorbed 9.7% of Total Exports
Trade with the United States (US) in August 2023 which constituted 9.7% of Malaysia’s total trade weakened by 15.7% y-o-y to RM20.68 billion. Exports reduced by 9.7% to RM13.52 billion following lower demand for E&E products and petroleum products.
However, expansion in exports was recorded for iron and steel products as well as chemicals and chemical products. Imports from the US eased by 25.1% to RM7.16 billion.
On a m-o-m basis, trade, exports and imports dipped by 2.7%, 0.5% and 6.7%, respectively.
For the period of January to August 2023, trade with the US decreased by 6.8% to RM160.29 billion compared to the same period of 2022. Exports was lower by 2.7% to RM104.66 billion attributed to reduced exports of wood products, rubber products as well as iron and steel products. On the contrary, expansion in exports was registered mainly for E&E products. Imports from the US edged down by 13.8% to RM55.62 billion.
The EU – Exports of E&E Products Remained Steady
In August 2023, trade with the European Union (EU) contributed 8.2% to Malaysia’s total trade, grew by 0.6% y-o-y to RM17.49 billion. Exports reduced by 4.6% to RM9.57 billion underpinned by lower shipment of petroleum products, palm oil and palm oil-based agriculture products as well as machinery, equipment and parts. Meanwhile, export growth was registered for E&E products as well as iron and steel products. Imports from the EU increased by 7.7% to RM7.92 billion.
Breakdown of exports to the top 10 EU markets which accounted for 92.1% of Malaysia’s total exports to the region were:
- Netherlands RM3.22 billion, increased by 5.7%;
- Germany RM2.48 billion, ↓1.9%;
- Belgium RM807.7 million, ↑4.0%;
- Italy RM596.6 million, ↓4.7%;
- Spain RM529.4 million, ↑50.9%;
- France RM520.4 million, ↓34.7%;
- Poland RM223.3 million, ↓37.5%;
- Czech Republic RM192.9 million, ↓41.1%;
- Hungary RM130.6 million, ↓32.6%; and
- Sweden RM116.0 million, ↓16.5%.
Exports to the EU major markets that recorded growth were the Netherlands, which increased by RM172.5 million due to strong exports of E&E products, Belgium (↑RM30.9 million, iron and steel products) and Spain (↑RM178.6 million, palm oil-based manufactured products).
Compared to July 2023, trade, exports and imports grew by 3.9%, 6.4% and 1.1%, respectively.
In January to August 2023, trade with the EU slipped by 3.8% to RM136.12 billion compared to the same period of 2022. Exports decreased by 10.2% to RM74.6 billion owing to lower exports of palm oil and palm oil-based products as well as rubber products while higher demand was seen for optical and scientific equipment, processed food as well as paper and pulp products. Imports from the EU was up by 5.2% to RM61.53 billion.
Japan – Trade and Exports Grew M-o-M
In August 2023, trade with Japan which made up 5.9% or RM12.62 billion of Malaysia’s total trade fell by 25.7% y-o-y. Exports dropped by 19.3% to RM7.43 billion following lower shipment of LNG, petroleum products as well as E&E products. However, the decline was offset by strong exports of crude petroleum as well as manufactures of metal. Imports from Japan weakened by 33.2% to RM5.19 billion.
On a m-o-m basis, trade and exports rose by 11.4% and 28.1%, respectively while imports contracted by 6.2%.
For the first eight months of 2023, trade with Japan dipped by 12% to RM104.04 billion compared to the corresponding period of 2022. Exports decreased by 10.1% to RM56.93 billion on slower exports of LNG as well as petroleum products. Conversely, higher demand was recorded for crude petroleum and optical and scientific equipment. Imports from Japan was lower by 14.2% to RM47.11 billion.
Trade with FTA Partners
In August 2023, trade with Free Trade Agreement (FTA) partners which took up 67.5% or RM143.71 billion of Malaysia’s total trade edged down by 17.7% y-o-y. Exports to FTA partners contracted by 18.6% to RM79.47 billion and imports reduced by 16.6% to RM64.24 billion.
In term of markets, increases in exports were recorded to Australia which expanded by 12.6% to RM4.29 billion boosted by solid exports of petroleum products. Additionally, exports to Turkiye rose by 24.1% to RM1.83 billion bolstered by higher exports of iron and steel products.
Compared to July 2023, imports climbed by 0.1% while trade and exports shrank by 1.7% and 3.1%, respectively.
Trade with FTA partners during the first eight months of 2023 slipped by 7.8% to RM1.162 trillion compared to the same period of last year. Exports fell by 5.9% to RM654.89 billion and imports dropped by 10.1% to RM507.31 billion.
Import Performance
Total imports in August 2023 was lower by 21.2% y-o-y to RM97.85 billion. The three main categories of imports by end use, which accounted for 72.3% of total imports were:
- Intermediate goods, valued at RM51.45 billion or 52.6% of total imports, decreased by 22.6% y-o-y, following lower imports of processed fuel and lubricants;
- Capital goods, valued at RM10.71 billion or 10.9% of total imports, expanded by 5.4%, due to higher imports of non-transport capital goods; and
- Consumption goods, valued at RM8.53 billion or 8.7% of total imports, contracted by 5.4%, driven by lower imports of non-durables.
During the period of January to August 2023, imports edged down by 8.6% to RM782.29 billion compared to the corresponding period of 2022. Imports of intermediate goods contracted by 15.6% to RM399.42 billion compared to the same period last year, capital goods (↑1.2% to RM78.17 billion) and consumption goods (↓1.3% to RM67.02 billion).
MATRADE Unveils A New Logo To Celebrate 30 Years Of Championing Excellence In Export Promotions
Kuala Lumpur, 12 Sep– Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE) celebrates its 30th anniversary with a renewed commitment to helping Malaysian businesses thrive on the global stage.
To mark this milestone, MATRADE embarked on a rebranding initiative that began with the unveiling of a new logo by YAB Dato’ Seri Anwar bin Ibrahim, Prime Minister of Malaysia, at the launching ceremony of the Global Halal Summit (GHaS 2023) at MITEC, today.
YB Senator Tengku Datuk Seri Utama Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz, Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry (MITI) applauded MATRADE for this great milestone, "Congratulations to the MATRADE Board, management and staff on three decades of dedication and commitment in enabling local companies to compete in the international market. Keep up the good work on increasing the nation's exports and contributing to Malaysia's sustainable growth.".
YB Dato' Sri Reezal Merican Naina Merican, Chairman of MATRADE, said, “the 30-year journey of MATRADE is more than just a celebration of the past; it is a testament to the dedication and relentless pursuit of excellence that has shaped MATRADE into the organisation it is today. We are looking forward to the next phase of MATRADE’s journey - a future filled with even bolder ambitions and greater achievements."
The new logo features a combination of the letters ‘M’ and ‘A’ stylised to represent the synergy between the public and private sectors in driving Malaysia towards sustainable economic growth. The arrow shape in the letter ‘A’ represents MATRADE's determination to continuously excel in making Malaysia a major trading nation. In terms of corporate colours, ‘Mustard’ symbolises diversity and creativity of MATRADE, as a reputable, organised, and optimistic organisation, committed to developing the nation's economy through trade. ‘Blue’ signifies harmony and strong collaboration between the public and private sectors in advancing international trade for Malaysia.
YBhg. Datuk Mohd Mustafa Abdul Aziz, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of MATRADE, said that the rebranding is rooted in embracing ownership, nurturing responsibility and fostering the right ATTITUDE, VALUES AND CULTURE. “The transformation begins with a resolute commitment to change and MATRADE is committed to being a more customer-centric organisation that is agile and responsive to the needs of the business community,” he added.
Over the past three decades, MATRADE has grown from strength to strength and at the height of its outstanding achievement thus far, the organisation won the World Trade Promotion Organisation (WTPO) Award 2022 for ‘Best Use of Information Technology’. This accolade manifests MATRADE’s determination to position Malaysia as a major trading nation.
In the past 30 years, we witnessed Malaysia's trade landscape undergoing a remarkable evolution, from an agricultural economy to a robust manufacturing hub, where in 2022, Malaysia was ranked as the world’s 24th trading nation and 25th largest exporter and importer by the World Trade Organization (WTO).
MATRADE's extensive global presence spans across 49 strategically positioned offices in 41 countries, opening avenues across 200 markets. The agency facilitates connections that have translated into concrete outcomes for businesses under its core functions.
MATRADE helps Malaysian companies expand into established markets, such as China, India, and Indonesia; as well as emerging markets such as Cambodia, Spain, and Nigeria. In 2014, MATRADE introduced the Mid-Tier Companies Development Programme (MTCDP) which to date, has successfully nurtured 323 Mid-Tier Companies from various sectors and industries including electrical & electronics (E&E), food & beverages (F&B), building construction, automotive as well as plastic products.
MATRADE is committed to continuing its efforts to help Malaysian businesses succeed in the global marketplace. The agency is confident that with its strong track record and commitment to excellence, it will continue to play a key role in driving Malaysia's economic growth.
As MATRADE's 30-year legacy takes the spotlight, the narrative shifts from solely facilitating trade to empowering sustainable trade practices. This evolution shows MATRADE's proactive foresight in setting the road for Malaysian exporters to economic success, with an emphasis on environmental conservation.
5th Malaysia – China B2B Business Matching Session in conjunction with 20th China – ASEAN Expo (CAEXPO)
WEDNESDAY, 6 SEPTEMBER 2023, KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE) organised the launch of the 5th Malaysia-China B2B Business Matching Session today, in collaboration with China-ASEAN Expo (CAEXPO) Secretariat and China Construction Bank (CCB) supported by Embassy of The People’s Republic of China in Malaysia. The matchmaking event is part of MATRADE’s ongoing efforts in promoting Malaysia’s participation in the upcoming 20th China-ASEAN Expo (CAEXPO) 2023, which is scheduled from 16 to 19 September 2023 in Nanning, China.
Over 230 pre-arranged business meetings have already been arranged and ready to take place between Malaysian exporters and Chinese buyers. This year, the business meetings will be organised in a hybrid format with virtual sessions held prior to the physical meetings, for preliminary introduction, while then followed up by physical meetings throughout CAEXPO 2023.
Leveraging on CCB’s clientele in China, more than 100 Chinese buyers were invited for the business meetings with 107 Malaysian companies participating in CAEXPO this year. The virtual business meeting session will be held for 3 days from 6 to 9 September 2023 on CCB’s digital matching platform known as CCB Matchplus.
YB Liew Chin Tong, Deputy Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry, Malaysia, in his keynote address today highlighted “Malaysia’s participation in this year’s edition of CAEXPO marks a meaningful milestone as the year 2023 is the 20th anniversary of the establishment of China-ASEAN strategic partnership and the 20th anniversary of the establishment of CAEXPO. Building on the strategic collaboration for the past 20 years, we will continue to strengthen our business relationships and cooperation with partners in China as well as from other ASEAN countries, which augurs well with this year’s CAEXPO theme.”
The launch was also graced by H.E. Ouyang Yujing, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of The People's Republic of China, and attended by senior officials, H.E. Ahmad Phadil Ismail, Malaysia Consul General in Nanning, Mr Amran Yem, Senior Director of Export Promotion & Market Access Division of MATRADE, Mr. Naim Abdul Rahman, Director of China & North East Asia, ASEAN & Oceania, MATRADE, Mr Wang Jieqi, CEO of CCB Malaysia, Ms. Hu Bofei, Deputy General Manager of International Business Department, CCB Beijing, and Mr. Liang Yiguang, Vice Secretary General of China-ASEAN Expo Secretariat.
YBhg. Datuk Mohd Mustafa Abdul Aziz, Chief Executive Officer of MATRADE said that the participation in CAEXPO 2023 is well positioned to enhance further the presence of Malaysian brands in China. MATRADE has consistently coordinated the participation of Malaysian companies for the past 20 years, since the inception of CAEXPO in 2004. Since then, Malaysia’s participation in CAEXPO has successfully assisted more than 2,000 companies with accumulated business dealings amounting over USD 1 billion. “Our continued participation in CAEXPO is very important and it does contribute to the vibrant momentum of our trade with China”, emphasised Datuk Mohd Mustafa.
Malaysia’s participation in 20th CAEXPO comprises government agencies, enterprises and companies across sectors. The participation is supported by nine (9) government agencies specialising in trade & investment promotion, agriculture & food security, research & development, palm oil, tourism and higher education.
The sectors represented by Malaysian companies in CAEXPO have also diversified, from primarily in F&B, to many others including wellness, pharmaceuticals, personal care, Halal and most importantly green & sustainability. The diverse sectoral participation reflects the changes and demands arising from the huge Chinese population, consumer segments, strong spending power and lifestyle changes.
For this 20th edition, Malaysian companies will be showcasing a more diverse range of high value products and services, including healthcare & wellness, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics & toiletries, palm oil biomass, functional food & beverages as well as services sectors including accounting, interior design and education.
Last year, Malaysia’s participation in CAEXPO recorded 29 Malaysian companies that had successfully generated RM747.99 million in potential export sales. Malaysia Pavilion coordinated by MATRADE received five (5) main awards namely Country of Honour Award, Best Trade and Economic Outcomes, Best Exhibitors’ Organiser, Best National Pavilion and Best Promotion on Investment Cooperation.
MATRADE, MDEC Ink MOU to Enhance Malaysian Tech Companies’ Global Footprint
KUALA LUMPUR, 11 SEPTEMBER 2023 (MONDAY) - Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE) and Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to further strengthen existing alliances and strategic cooperation between both agencies.
The MoU aims to better facilitate the current and export ready Malaysian tech companies in strengthening their global footprint through more concerted and collaborative trade promotion initiatives.
The MoU was signed by Datuk Mohd Mustafa Abdul, CEO of MATRADE and Ts. Mahadhir Aziz, CEO of MDEC. MATRADE’s Senior Board member, Dato' Hazimah Zainuddin witnessed the MOU Exchange Ceremony, which took place at the side-line of MATRADE’s International Sourcing Programme (INSP) held in conjunction with Malaysia International Halal Showcase (MIHAS) 2023 today at Menara MATRADE.
According to MATRADE’s CEO, Datuk Mohd Mustafa Abdul Aziz, the MoU will result in greater level of collaboration between both agencies, which in turn will accelerate the transformation of local tech champions into global players.
This is in line with the objective of the newly launched New Industrial Master Plan (NIMP) 2030, which was recently launched by YAB Dato' Seri Anwar bin Ibrahim. “NIMP among others focusses on the government's mission to get Malaysian businesses to embrace technology and digitalisation to drive innovation, enhance productivity and create new opportunities for economic growth,” Datuk Mohd Mustafa pointed out.
Under the newly launched New Industrial Master Plan 2030 (NIMP2030), digital and ICT has been identified as one of the five key focus sectors that could help enhance Malaysia’s exports of more complex products and services.
As such, he added, there is a need for agencies like MATRADE and MDEC to further streamline our initiatives and embrace a whole nation approach in our promotion abroad.
“Under MDEC's Malaysia Digital (MD) Catalytic Programmes (PEMANGKIN), we promote nine sectors, which we believe can drive high-value digital export and provide a launchpad for tech companies to expand globally. To nurture and facilitate a business-friendly digital ecosystem, we are collaborating with various partners, and one of them is MATRADE”, said Ts. Mahadhir Aziz, Chief Executive Officer of MDEC.
PKNS dan MATRADE Anjur Hari Eksport Selangor Pada 23-24 Ogos
KUALA LUMPUR, 22 OGOS 2023: Perbadanan Kemajuan Negeri Selangor (PKNS) dan Perbadanan Pembangunan Perdagangan Luar (MATRADE) bakal menganjurkan Hari Eksport Selangor 2023 bagi memperluaskan bilangan Perusahaan Mikro, Kecil dan Sederhana (PMKS) untuk ke pasaran ke peringkat antarabangsa.
Program tersebut bakal berlangsung selama dua hari pada 23 dan 24 Ogos di Pusat Konvensyen Shah Alam dan bertujuan untuk membantu Kerajaan Negeri Selangor membangunkan lebih ramai usahawan pengeksport yang boleh menjadi pelengkap ekonomi dan mendokong kepada komitmen mereka di dalam dasar-dasar keusahawanan sedia ada.
Ketua Pegawai Eksekutif PKNS Dato’ Mahmud Abbas berkata PKNS menyediakan pelbagai peluang kepada para usahawan untuk memperluaskan perniagaan dan melengkapi mereka dengan ilmu keusahawan yang komprehensif melalui pelbagai program serta modul yang tersedia. Diharapkan bagi mereka yang berminat dan ingin menceburi pasaran eksport dapat menyertai program ini serta berhubung dengan Bahagian Pembangunan Usahawan kami.
Sementara itu, Ketua Pegawai Eksekutif MATRADE Datuk Mohd Mustafa Abdul Aziz menekankan Hari Eksport Selangor adalah satu program outreach untuk membangunkan lebih ramai usahawan pengeksport di peringkat negeri terutamanya di Selangor dengan berteraskan objektif menyeluruh untuk memberi pendedahan berkenaan maklumat-maklumat asas untuk mengeksport serta mendapatkan pendedahan kepada bantuan Kerajaan serta perkhidmatan oleh pemain ekosistem eksport.
“Dengan usaha ini, MATRADE turut berharap ia dapat memberi kesedaran kepada PMKS mengenai bantuan yang diberikan oleh kerajaan dan institusi swasta yang terlibat di dalam ekosistem eksport negara,” tambahnya.
Sebanyak enam sesi forum akan diadakan pada Hari Eksport Selangor, termasuk sesi mengenali kemudahan pembiayaan dan insurans eksport yang akan memberi pendedahan kepada peserta untuk mengenalpasti rakan perbankan yang bersesuaian dan kepentingan jaminan insurans untuk perniagaan eksport.
Selain itu, sesi forum tersebut akan turut memberi penerangan berkenaan solusi eksport MATRADE seperti program eTrade, MATRADE Digital Trade Platform, MyExport, serta MATRADE Digital Learning, bagi membantu syarikat untuk menerokai pasaran antarabangsa dan mengenalpasti platform terbaik bagi perniagaan e-Dagang.
Program ini turut mendapat kerjasama dari Exim Bank Berhad, Maybank Islamic Berhad, Fusionex Group dan Dagang Net Technologies Sdn. Bhd., selaku Penaja Perak bagi Hari Eksport Selangor.
Beliau berkata Selangor merupakan negeri pertama program Hari Eksport diadakan dan akan diikuti dengan dengan 11 lagi negeri di seluruh Malaysia.
Program tersebut akan diadakan di Terengganu pada bulan September, serta diikuti dengan Pahang, Johor dan Melaka pada bulan Oktober akan datang.
Walaubagaimanapun, Hari Eksport untuk negeri-negeri lain masih lagi di peringkat perancangan bersama Kerajaan Negeri.
Untuk ini, MATRADE mensasarkan minima 200 peserta di setiap negeri yang terdiri dari syarikat-syarikat di bawah naungan Kerajaan Negeri dan agensi tempatan negeri tersebut.
"Kami berharap syarikat-syarikat PMKS, terutama yang bersedia/berminat untuk mengeksport tetapi tidak tahu bagaimana untuk memulakan langkah untuk mengeskport dapat menyertai program ini," kata Dato’ Mahmud.
Selain itu, Timbalan Ketua Pegawai Eksekutif (Pembangunan Pengeksport) Abu Bakar Yusof turut menyeru agar PMKS supaya berdaftar dengan MATRADE dan menjalani Export Readiness Assessment Tool (ERAT), yang merupakan satu sistem yang direka untuk syarikat bagi mengukur tahap kesediaan atau potensi untuk mengeksport produk/perkhidmatan mereka.
"ERAT menilai kesediaan mengeksport syarikat tersebut dari segi sumber eksport, kaedah pemasaran, komitmen pengurusan dan potensi produk/perkhidmatan syarikat mereka.
"Setelah mengetahui tahap ERAT mereka, syarikat tersebut akan didedahkan dengan pelbagai khidmat nasihat dan latihan berkaitan eksport untuk mereka belajar tentang eksport. Salah satunya adalah program seperti Hari Eksport ini," katanya.
