MATRADE Expands Paris Office, Paving the Way for Malaysia's Enhanced Trade Relations with France, Spain, Portugal and Monaco
TUESDAY, 19 MARCH 2024, PARIS: Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE) has expanded the Trade Commissioner Office in Paris (MATRADE Paris) to better facilitate and foster trade relationships between Malaysia and France, Spain, Portugal and Monaco — markets under the purview this office.
The launch of MATRADE Paris was officiated by YB Senator Tengku Datuk Seri Utama Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz, the Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry of Malaysia, during a Trade and Investment Mission to France. He was accompanied by YBhg. Datuk Mohd Mustafa Abdul Aziz, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of MATRADE and YBhg. Datuk Wira Arham Abdul Rahman, CEO of Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA). Also present at the event were esteemed representatives from Ministry of the Economy, Finance, Industrial and Digital Sovereignty of France and Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs of France, alongside key industry players spanning diverse sectors in France.
In his speech at the event, Tengku Zafrul highlighted the many opportunities for collaboration and partnerships between France and Malaysia. He emphasised the importance of France as a trade partner and its role as a gateway not only to the European Union (EU) but also to Francophone North Africa.
Echoing the sentiments of collaboration and mutual benefits, Tengku Zafrul said, “France has been an important economic partner for Malaysia, offering various opportunities across sectors targeted under our National Trade Blueprint and New Industrial Master Plan 2030, such as aerospace, defence, energy and electronics. As such, the expanded capacity in MATRADE Paris is necessary to help us drive sustainable growth through investment and trade between Malaysia and France, as well as Spain, Portugal and Monaco.”
“We welcome these countries’ expertise in hi-tech industries to help uplift Malaysia's manufacturing base, enhance our exports and most importantly, generate more higher-paying jobs for our talents. Sustainability is also at the heart of our industrial transformation and through MATRADE Paris, we hope to attract more investments and trade in areas such as green manufacturing and the circular economy,” continued the Minister.
MATRADE has introduced Malaysia to a wide range of French businesses, industry associations and government agencies. MATRADE has strengthened bilateral economic relations between the two nations through programmes such as its webinar series on market access, Global Sourcing and Partner Development Programme (GSPDP), the internationalisation of the Malaysia International Halal Showcase (MIHAS) and the Malaysia Pavilion at the Salon International de l’alimentation (SIAL) Paris.
YBhg. Datuk Mustafa shared that it is imperative to actualise the expansion plans in view of the evolving dynamics of the global trade landscape. “As a foremost trade promotion organisation acknowledged by the World Trade Promotion Organization (WTPO), MATRADE recognises the urgency of bolstering our presence in the EU, particularly in France. Beyond our existing network in Frankfurt, Milan, Warsaw and Rotterdam, France presents a distinctive market environment that warrants a dedicated and enlarged team on the ground. This strategic reinforcement will, among others, provide us with invaluable nuanced insights on the burgeoning opportunities in this pivotal market. Moreover, our expansion extends beyond Europe, with enhanced footholds established in Cairo and Singapore alongside our strengthened presence in Paris,” he said.
Established in 1994, the expansion of MATRADE Paris this year marks the transformation from a marketing office (since 2014) to a full-fledged Trade Commissioner Office, he added.
The expansion of MATRADE’s presence in Paris reflects a renewed commitment to the French market, and a new era of engagement in the current global economic landscape, which places a strong emphasis on sustainability in supply chain management.
In 2023, France emerged as Malaysia's third-largest trading partner within the EU, with bilateral trade totalling EUR 3.41 billion, whereby Malaysia exported EUR 1.25 billion worth of goods to France and imported EUR 2.16 billion. Major exports from Malaysia to France include electrical and electronic products, petroleum products, machinery equipment and processed food, while main imports from France to Malaysia consist of transport equipment, chemicals, machinery, electrical products and beverages.
Acknowledging France's strategic significance within the EU, both economically and geographically, MATRADE swiftly acted upon its determination to re-establish a comprehensive office presence in the country.
MATRADE Paris serves as a vital link, fostering collaborations between Malaysian and the markets under its coverage. Additionally, it also extends support to facilitate business connections with French overseas territories such as Reunion, Mayotte, Guadeloupe, Martinique, French Polynesia and French Guiana.
MATRADE will continue its efforts to connect businesses through its many initiatives in areas such as capacity-building, trade promotion executed via B2B and B2G activities. The trade promotion agency is set to roll out strategic partnerships with multiple French counterparts to promote knowledge-sharing, participation in trade events and customised engagements. For more details, email Alamat emel ini dilindungi dari Spambot. Anda perlu hidupkan JavaScript untuk melihatnya.
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