Industry
@ Halal | May-June . 2022
Register with MATRADE to reap benefits
Encouraged to leverage on programmes and assistance for international expansion
MORE COMPANIES are urged to register with the Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation ( MATRADE ) to benefit from the services offered and obtain assistance to enhance their export readiness to penetrate and expand into the international markets .
MATRADE ’ s Deputy Chief Executive Officer ( Exporters Development ) Abu Bakar Yusof hoped more exporting companies , especially from Penang , register as MATRADE members , as the current numbers were still relatively small as compared to other States in Malaysia .
As of Apr 30 , 2022 , a total of 11,123 Malaysian companies have registered with MATRADE , of which 1,740 companies are from the Northern Region . From the 1,740 , a total of 898 are active companies from Penang .
“ We look forward to more companies from Penang to register as MATRADE members . Penang is one of the largest contributors to Malaysia ’ s exports . Among the major products exported are transport equipment , manufactured goods , chemicals and chemical products , non-food raw materials as well as food products ,” he said .
“ We believe that there are companies that have not registered with MATRADE yet , especially small and medium-sized enterprises ( SMEs ).
“ Registration with MATRADE is free and companies stand to benefit from our assistance programmes , including capacity building and training , market intelligence reports , access to trade leads of international buyers and importers , as well as a series of export promotional activities , including cross border e-commerce .”
Abu Bakar spoke at the opening of the Export Day event , which was organised by MATRADE in collaboration with Penang Development Corporation ( PDC ) and Exim Bank .
More than 250 entrepreneurs and exporters from various industry sectors attended the one-day event held in Penang . He added the event was part of the government ’ s efforts to reach out to companies in Malaysia and hoped that more businesses would be aware of MATRADE ’ s role in nurturing home-grown global champions .
“ MATRADE is committed to assisting companies of all sizes , especially SMEs , and providing the solutions and relevant support to enable them to gain wider market access and connect with the global supply chain . For our efforts to be more effective , we need all the support we can get , including from SMEs , to realise this goal ,” Abu Bakar said .
World Trade Promotion Organisations ( WTPO ) Award
MATRADE recently won the WTPO Award for ‘ Best Use of Information Technology ’. MATRADE was announced as the winner in this category at the World Trade Promotion Awards and Conference 2022 held in Accra , Ghana , on May 17 .
The award was organised by the International Trade Centre ( ITC ), a joint agency of the World Trade Organisation ( WTO ) and the United Nations . MATRADE was chosen as the winner by the panel of judges for its initiative in organising the virtual edition of the 17th Malaysia International Halal Showcase ( MIHAS ) 2021 .
The digitalisation of MIHAS 2021 has proven to assist small and medium enterprises ( SMEs ) in the halal industry to continue growing their exports despite disruptions from Covid-19 . In addition , the virtual showcase has proven that it was able to open up new markets and make business connections more convenient and cost-effective .
Abu Bakar Yusof Dato ' Abdul Halim Hussain , Penang Exco .