Perbadanan Pembangunan Perdagangan Luar Malaysia

Yang Berhormat Dato’ Ir Hamim Samuri
Deputy Minister of International Trade and Industry

Yang Berbahagia Datuk Dr. Rebecca Fatima Sta Maria
Secretary General of the Ministry of International Trade and Industry, Malaysia

Yang Berbahagia Dato’ Dzulkifli Mahmud
Deputy Chief Executive Officer of MATRADE

Distinguished Guests,

Members of the Press,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Assalammualaikum Warahmatullahi Wabarakatuh;

A Very Good Morning and Salam 1 Malaysia.

1. It gives me great pleasure to welcome all of you to an important event in this year’s MATRADE calendar. The Exporters Forum is part of an on-going effort by MATRADE to touch base with Malaysian exporters and serves as a platform to update participants on MATRADE’s activities and programmes for the year. The theme for this year’s event is ‘Energising Exports’, emphasizing the urgent need for Malaysian companies to strengthen their competitiveness and to go global.

2. This year’s event comes under a new format to replace the annual ‘Briefing and Consultation Programme’ which has been organized by MATRADE since 2004. The programme is aimed at sharing experiences and creating awareness on current issues that are related to trade. At the same time, Malaysian exporters would be able to get an update on MATRADE’s programme and activities for 2014 during the trade clinics.

3. In today’s Exporters’ Forum you will share from a line-up of speakers from successful companies on how to build a strong foundation for your export business. The speakers will also share practical tips for exporting, financial options for trade  as well as pointers on avoiding internet fraud. 

Ladies and Gentlemen,

4. You will agree that 2013 was another challenging year for Malaysian exporters. During the first half of the year growth was mainly subdued but our economy picked up the momentum in the second half with better economic performance.  I wish to commend the Malaysian trading community for your efforts. It is your resilience that enabled Malaysia to achieve a remarkable RM1.369 trillion in total trade in 2013, a 4.6% increase from the previous year.

5. As the National Trade Promotion Agency, MATRADE will continue to enhance its efforts to assist Malaysian businesses to increase their exports through its trade promotion programmes and activities. This year, MATRADE will intensify its export promotion efforts and taking into consideration the following factors:

• Generating higher value exports; and
• Applying new approaches towards strengthening the competitiveness of Malaysian exporters through capacity building and awareness programme.

6. A total of 147 trade promotion activities are being proposed for 2014 covering 46 markets.MATRADE’s Trade Promotion Activities and Exporters Development Programme 2014 will serve as an effective action plan for Malaysian manufacturers and professional service providers especially SMEs to expand further into the international market and sustain exports.

7. The active participation of Malaysian companies is critical to the success of the activities planned. MATRADE urge all exporters to register early for their participation in our programme for 2014. Details are available in MATRADE portal at www.matrade.gov.my

Ladies and Gentlemen,

8. I would like to thank YB Dato’ Ir Hamim Samuri , the Deputy Minister of International Trade and Industry, for his presence and to formally kick start MATRADE’s activities for the year. I also wish to thank all participants for taking the time to attend this programme and hopefully it will be time well-spent.

9. In conclusion, I would like to once again record my appreciation for your continuous support towards MATRADE’s programmes and activities. We look forward to working closely with you to meet our common objectives. I wish you good luck in your business endeavor.

Thank you.