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.