Press Releases 2019
MATRADE Champions The Promotion of Halal in Japan
FRIDAY, 1 NOVEMBER 2019, KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia’s trade promotion organisation, Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE) is going on full force to boost the awareness on halal in Japan and create business connections for Malaysian companies with buyers and partners in Japan. The efforts are made possible through MATRADE’s signature trade promotion programme - Export Acceleration Mission (EAM) on Halal products and services to Japan – to be held from 4 – 8 November 2019.
The EAM is part of Ministry of International Trade & Industry’s ‘Digital Trade Halal Value Chain for Tokyo Olympics 2020’ initiative, which was launched in August. The initiative leverages the prospects from the high demand for products and services to serve approximately 8 million Muslim visitors out of total 40 million tourists expected to visit Japan in 2020 – due to Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics 2020 which are set to take place from 24 July – 9 August 2020. The initiative will bring Malaysia closer to become a Global Halal Economy Enabler for Tokyo Olympics 2020.
Twenty one Malaysian companies from sectors such as food, beverages, cosmetics, pharmaceutical manufacturers as well as companies providing syariah-compliant logistics and e-Commerce services are participating in the EAM. The companies selected are those who meet the high standards and requirements set for the Japanese market.
According to Niqman Rafaee Mohd Sahar, Trade Commissioner of MATRADE in Tokyo, “This specialised mission will further strengthen Malaysian companies’ footprint in Japan. At the moment, there is a need to increase the awareness on Halal among the Japanese business community. This needs to be addressed first should we want to secure export deals and MATRADE has the market intelligence to address areas of opportunities in Japan,†said Niqman.
“MATRADE has been promoting Malaysian exports to Japan since the opening of its two offices in Tokyo and Osaka in the 1990’s. Over the years, these offices have extended their facilitations in terms of matching local exporters with Japanese buyers. Through this engagement, we have developed a strong business database – a high-value asset that Malaysian companies should capitalised on,†he added.
In conjunction with the EAM, a number of programmes have been lined up such as Business to Business meetings (B2B), industry visits, sales pitching, networking session, media trends briefing and seminar. The speakers from MATRADE, Malaysia Investment Development Authority (MIDA) and Halal Development Corporation (HDC) will be sharing insights on halal business opportunities to Japanese importers, distributors, hotel and restaurant operators.
To date, among the Malaysian companies that have accessed Japan’s market are Golden Fresh Sdn Bhd (supplying frozen seafood products), Bangi Golf Resort (supplying ready-to-eat packaged halal food to restaurants and hotels in Tokyo) and Hernan Corporation (supplying mochi durian), Brahim’s Food Japan Co. (retort pouch food maker), Bunga Raya (a restaurant offering authentic Malaysian cuisine) and Manhattan Fish Market (a Halal restaurant chain). Currently, MATRADE is assisting these exporters to promote their products and services to targeted buyers in Japan.
Moving forward, MATRADE will continue to assist Malaysian companies to further promote their Halal products and services by facilitating the success of their participation in renowned trade shows around the world such as MATRADE’s Malaysia International Halal Showcase (MIHAS), FOODEX in Japan Gulfood in Dubai and Anuga in Germany.
In 2018, Malaysia’s export of halal products was valued at RM40 billion. The food and beverage industry made up the largest export value - at RM20 billion, followed by Halal ingredients (RM14.5 billion), cosmetics and personal care products (RM3 billion) and palm oil derivatives (RM1.8 billion).
In the case of Japan, the country was Malaysia’s third largest export destination after Singapore and China, with exports value of RM2.5 billion. Our main exports of Halal products to Japan were food ingredients (RM1.3 billion), food & beverage (RM1.0 billion), cosmetics and personal care (RM106 million), palm oil derivatives (RM70 million), industrial chemicals (RM29 million) and pharmaceuticals (RM9 million).
Malaysian companies keen to export are urged to contact MATRADE’s headquarters in Kuala Lumpur or any of its 46 international trade offices around the world for assistance. For more details email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or reach out to MATRADE’s social media channels such as Facebook or Twitter.
Malaysian Manufacturing Capabilities Take Centre Stage in Japan
WEDNESDAY, 30 OCTOBER 2019, KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE) is making the efforts to diversify the export markets for Malaysian companies and one of the strategies adopted is by focusing on Tier 1 and 2 cities in various countries. This time around, the national trade promotion organisation is spearheading the participation of Malaysian companies in Toyama General Manufacturing Industry Trade Fair or T-Messe 2019 from 31 October 2019 to 2 November 2019.
Toyama is a manufacturing hub for machinery and electronic industries located 400km north of Tokyo in Chubu (central) region, facing the Japan sea. Ten Malaysian companies in various sectors such as Electrical & Electronics (E&E), Automotive, Machinery & Parts as well as Medical Devices will be showcasing their products and services to around 61 potential Japanese buyers.
During the event, MATRADE office in Tokyo will be arranging a series of B2B matching for the Malaysian companies. According to Director of China and East Asia Section at MATRADE, the initiative will expand Malaysia’s outreach beyond well-known cities namely Osaka and Tokyo. “Toyama being the manufacturing hub for machinery, E&E and automotive, will not only provide an opportunity for Malaysian companies to supply to the Japanese businesses but it will also give them an exposure on the manufacturing trends in Japan – a country that known worldwide for its technological capabilities,†Khairul Annuar said.
MATRADE's Trade Commissioner in Tokyo, Niqman Rafaee also mentioned, “this is our first time participating in T-Messe 2019 and we hope through this effort there will be stronger awareness on Malaysian capabilities among the Japanese. This mission is timely too, given the strong bilateral relations between Malaysia and Japan.â€
However, for the period of January to August 2019, trade with Japan was valued at RM84.84 billion, registering a decrease of 3.9 per cent compared to the same period of 2018. Exports amounted to RM44.05 billion, a decline of 4.1 per cent due to lower exports of LNG, optical and scientific equipment as well as palm oil-based manufactured products. Increases in exports however were recorded for transport equipment, manufactures of metal, textiles, apparels and footwear as well as processed food.
“The decline was expected given the various economic challenges facing many countries this year, which may have affected the purchasing power of the Japanese buyers. Promotional efforts must be continued nonetheless, as such economic situation is cyclical. We need to ensure that Malaysian companies remain relevant the moment the economy picks up again,†Khairul shared.
MATRADE will continue to provide market access to Japan for Malaysian companies by connecting local Small and Medium Enterprises as well as Mid-Tier Companies with buyers and partners in Japan through various trade events and customised business matching. MATRADE has been in Japan since the early 1990’s and through its trade office in Tokyo, Malaysian companies get to acquire the market insights they need to venture into Japan.
“Every market around the world is very different and for the Japanese, trust is key. The business community there prefer to meet their potential suppliers face-to-face and with MATRADE being there, it helps adds up to the credibility of the Malaysian companies,†Khairul explained.
Malaysian companies keen to access Japan are advised to contact MATRADE Tokyo by emailing to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. For more details on MATRADE’s facilitations in Exporters Development and Export Promotion visit www.matrade.gov.my.
National Export Day 2019 Aims to Boost Malaysian Companies Participation in Export
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2019, KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE) organises the largest gathering for exporters called the National Export Day (NED) 2019 as an effort to boost Malaysian companies drive to export by imparting knowledge in new export opportunities and strategies to diversify their export portfolio.
The event was launched by YB Datuk Darell Leiking, Minister of International Trade & Industry at Menara MATRADE today. He was accompanied by MATRADE Chairman, Tan Sri Dr. Halim Mohammad.
The NED 2019 is attended by more than 1,000 local companies comprising micro enterprises, Start-ups, Small & Medium Enterprises and Mid-Tier Companies. According to MATRADE’s Chief Executive Officer, this initiative is crucial to help Malaysian companies mitigate various economic challenges taking place around the world.
“The high response shown towards the NED indicates a strong interest among our companies to continue their export business despite various global issues such as the US-China Trade War. It is imperative for MATRADE as Malaysia’s trade promotion organisation to boost their drive to continue venturing abroad and this event will help them understand how they can do things differently within the context of the current economic environment,†Wan Latiff said.
In 2018, Malaysia’s total trade breached the RM1 trillion mark (RM1.004 trillion) for the first time ever and based on the latest data, during the first eight months of 2019, total trade stood at RM1.209 trillion.
As it carries the theme ‘Sustainability and Inclusiveness’, NED 2019 targets to assist companies from various industries such as Food & Beverages, Oil & Gas, Chemicals, Construction, Logistics and Electrical & Electronics, just to name a few. “Efforts have also been made to live stream the proceedings to all of MATRADE’s state offices including those in Sabah and Sarawak as well as MATRADE’s trade offices around the world through our Facebook platform,†Wan Latiff shared on airing the event live via social media to ensure businesses who can’t attend the event will be able to access the insights shared during the conference.
During the session, participants are exposed to current market opportunities that are relevant to them, tax incentives, digital platform as a trade enabler, how sustainability can give them an edge as well as ways to manoeuvre their business strategies within the context of protectionism and geopolitical issues.
“With continuous efforts such as the NED, engagements with local companies can be consistently maintained to ensure their active participation in export,†he added.
During the NED, a Memorandum of Understanding between MATRADE and Permodalan Usahawan Nasional Berhad (PUNB) was also exchanged. The MoU includes a co-operation between the two parties to internationalise Bumiputera entrepreneurs through an initiative called Glory 25. Through the initiative, MATRADE and PUNB will be sharing resources to provide market access, financial support and capacity building to selected entrepreneurs.
NED 2019 is part of MATRADE's Corporate Shared Values (CSV) initiative called SUSTAINABILITY ACTION VALUES FOR EXPORTERS, or SAVE. Through SAVE, MATRADE is taking a leadership role in championing the adoption of sustainable
practices among Malaysian companies based on United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The NED is also an excellent platform for Malaysian companies to engage with their respective industry players as well as with MATRADE officers to seek clarification on MATRADE’s facilitation and how they can leverage on the export incentives announced during the recent Budget 2020. “They will also get the opportunity to be consulted by MATRADE’s officers who have served as Trade Commissioners (TCs) overseas. These former TCs will be able to give them valuable insights based on years of market assessments,†he pointed out.
The MATRADE’s former TCs who will be speaking at the event are those who were based in Almaty, Ho Chi Minh City, Yangon, Chengdu, Rotterdam, Seoul and Tokyo.
Meanwhile, the speakers who are featured in the NED include Professor Lim Chin Leng, Chinese University of Hong Kong and Ms. Rina Neoh, Co-Founder of Ficus Venture Capital Sdn Bhd.
The NED is also supported by organisations such as Global Compact Network Malaysia, CIMB Bank, Islamic Development Bank, Exim Bank, SME Bank, Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation and Malaysian Global Innovation & Creativity Centre, among others.
MATRADE Pushes for Stronger Malaysian Brand Awareness in China
TUESDAY, 29 OCTOBER 2019, KUALA LUMPUR: With a population of more than 1.3 billion people, China remains a main export market for Malaysia. Given this huge market size, Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE) is championing a Public-Private Partnership effort to boost the awareness on Malaysia’s export capabilities at the China International Import Expo (CIIE) 2019 in Shanghai from 5 to 10 November 2019.
The Malaysian delegation to CIIE will be led by the Deputy Minister of International Trade & Industry YBhg. Dr. Ong Kian Ming and will be participated by 54 Malaysian companies and Ministries and Agencies such as Ministry of International Trade and Industry, Ministry of Agriculture and Agro-Based Industry (MOA), Industrial Terminal & Entrepreneur Development Sarawak (MINTRED), Malaysia Automotive Robotics And IOT Institute (MARii), Malaysian Timber Council (MTC), Malaysian Rubber Export Promotion Council (MREPC), Malaysian Palm Oil Council (MPOC), Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC) and Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MOTAC).
The Malaysian companies at the event will be showcasing their latest range of products and services such as food & beverages, agricultural produces, lifestyle, health & wellness products, commodities produces, tourism & hospitality services as well as cross-borders eCommerce services.
According to Chief Executive Officer of MATRADE, Dato’ Wan Latiff Wan Musa, the CIIE 2019 is the largest international exhibition endorsed by the central government of China and was an event mooted by President Xi Jinping. “The involvement of Malaysian players in CIIE offers great opportunities for Malaysia to enhance its presence and visibility in China, taking into account that China is further opening up its market and expected to import US$ 30 trillion of goods and US$ 10 trillion of services in the next 15 years. It is therefore important for us to have continuous presence in the CIIE,†said Wan Latiff.
“The CIIE 2019 is also a platform for Malaysia to reach out beyond China as more than 150 countries and international organisations will be taking part in this mega event. Malaysian enterprises should also be able to explore opportunities to establish strategic business linkages with these international exhibitors,†Wan Latiff added.
During the mission to CIIE, apart from the exhibition, there will be a series of engagements with Malaysian business community in Shanghai, Roundtable Meetings with potential investors and large importers as well as visits to potential investors in Shanghai, Suzhou and Kunshan.
China continues to be Malaysia’s largest trading partner for nine consecutive years since 2009. Trade with China for the period of January to August 2019 stood at RM203.73 billion, contracting slightly by 1.2 per cent compared to the same period of 2018. Exports to China reduced marginally by 0.1 per cent to RM88.96 billion, due to lower exports of Electrical & Electronics products, rubber products, crude petroleum as well as optical and scientific equipment. However, expansion in export was seen in sectors such as LNG, chemicals and chemical products, iron and steel products as well as manufactures of metal. Meanwhile, imports from China registered a decrease of 2 per cent to RM114.77 billion.
Branding Malaysia as a Technology Hub at ITAP 2019
TUESDAY, 22 OCTOBER 2019, SINGAPORE: In an effort to enhance Malaysia’s branding as a technological hub, Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE) led the participation of 10 Malaysian companies to Industrial Transformation Asia Pacific (ITAP) 2019 where Malaysian companies showcased their capabilities in Industry 4.0.
The participation this year will see MATRADE introducing a Malaysia Pavilion for the first time to facilitate engagement of Malaysian companies with international businesses from all over Asia Pacific. The Malaysia Pavilion was officiated by the Malaysian High Commissioner to Singapore, YBhg. Dato’ Zainol Rahim Zainuddin today.
According to Puan Jamaliah Jamaluddin, Director of Electrical, Electronics, ICT, Machinery & Equipment Section at MATRADE, the event can be a catalyst to business transactions, learning, networking and establishing collaboration for Malaysian local Small and Medium Enterprises at the event. “We have identified the growing strength of ITAP and given its comprehensive programme lineups which include exhibition, conference and fora, Malaysian companies will be able to enhance their knowledge in innovation and finding likeminded partners for their business,†Jamaliah said.
The exhibitors at the Malaysia Pavilion comprise of those providing Industry 4.0 consultancy and solutions, unmanned aerial system (UAS) solutions, industrial automation solutions, electrical distribution solutions, IoT cloud and factory navigation systems. Others offerings include integrated power and controls systems, digital transformation solutions as well as IT solutions based on block chain technology, just to name a few.
“We hope our participation in ITAP will expose Malaysian companies to the leading edge technologies and future trends around the world for them to leverage or emulate,†Jamaliah said.
