MATRADE, KUSKOP and SME Bank Drive SMEs Exports to Japan
FRIDAY, 27 OCTOBER 2023, KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE), in collaboration with the Ministry of Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives (KUSKOP) and SME Bank, will organise the participation of 16 Malaysian companies in the Export Acceleration Mission to Tokyo and Osaka, Japan, from 31st October to 8th November 2023, as part of its ongoing efforts to facilitate Malaysian SMEs’ expansion in the global market.
Held in conjunction with the Malaysia Fair 2023 from 3rd to 5th November 2023, the mission’s main objectives are to showcase Malaysia's capabilities in the Halal food and beverages and lifestyle (fashion) industries as well as to enable the Malaysian companies to make inroads into the Japanese market which comes at an opportune time ahead of the World Expo 2025 that will be held in Osaka, Japan.
MATRADE through its offices in Tokyo and Osaka will coordinate programme for the Malaysian companies including their participation in Malaysia Fair 2023, business seminars as well as one-to-one business matching with Japanese buyers.
“We are collaborating with ASEAN-Japan Centre and Osaka International Business Promotion Centre in providing avenue for the Malaysian companies to learn more about the Japanese market and opportunities to expand their products into Japan via the business seminars and business matchings session”, said Asnor Vidya Nor Azmi, Director of Transformation and Digital Trade Division, MATRADE.
Japan, as one of Malaysia's most important export destinations, provides enormous export potential for Malaysian SMEs. In 2022, Malaysia recorded a stellar performance in trade with Japan. Japan remained resilient as the 4th largest trading partner where our trade with Japan grew by 21.2% to reach a value of RM181.51 billion. Our exports to Japan amounted RM98.24 billion, which marked an increase of 29.6%.
This mission is part of MATRADE's ongoing engagement with KUSKOP and SME Bank to nurture and groom more capable SMEs to establish and expand global footprints. In keeping with the 'Malaysia MADANI', this trilateral collaboration would also enable Malaysian SMEs to prosper on a global scale and create spillover effects of higher employment and household income.
It is hoped that the mission will produce valuable results for the Malaysian companies, serving as a springboard for them to explore the Japanese market in advance of World Expo Osaka 2025 and ultimately lead to their entry into Japan.
