Malaysia to be among top 20 largest exporting countries

KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysia External Trade Development Corp (Matrade) aims to put Malaysia among the top 20 world’s largest exporting countries within the next two to three years, driven by aggressive promotional activities and creative strategies.

Chief executive officer Datuk Dzulkifli Mahmud said currently Malaysia was ranked 23rd as the world’s largest exporting country, exporting to more than 200 countries.

“It is not easy to maintain the position and it is possible to reach it as well...But we need to look at a lot of factors, including the currency’s movement, global economic situation, competition as well as market demand.

“But, we were in 18th position as the biggest exporting country in the 1980s, and that was a satisfying achievement,” he said in a media briefing on Matrade’s new campaign, CelebExports, in Kuala Lumpur on Monday.

CelebExports is a campaign to strengthen export branding among local celebrities whereby they will be given free consultation at the Matrade Export Integration Centre.

Dzulkfili said through this campaign, the corporation hoped to help increase the export value of local products and services, besides providing the opportunities to the artistes to expand their business globally.

This year, there were 150 foreign trade missions including 85 for export promotions and 65 for export developments, he said.

“We have many celebrities involved in business; however, most of them focus on the domestic market.

“They must look at the external market, for example, the Asean market which has over 600 million people, as well as, 800 million people under the Trans-Pacific Partnership,” he said.

Matrade would strive to help and encourage the Malaysian celebrities’ business expand overseas in all sectors.

“To-date, NH Prima International Sdn Bhd, owned by popular actor and TV host, Noor Neelofa Mohd Noor, is the first company to participate in the campaign, and we welcome the participation from other local artistes,” said Dzulkifli.

Meanwhile, NH Prima director Neelofa said the campaign represented a platform for local artistes to export as well as expand their branding.

“Through Matrade’s help, we are starting to understand matters like market access, opportunities for global cooperation as well as the importance of creating an ideal business model to expand the business.

“I’m also encouraging other local artistes to learn about export and grab the opportunities which surely promise huge returns for them,” she said.

To-date, export sales of Naelofar Hijab have hit RM5mil, of which RM2.1mil are from online sales while RM2.9mil are via stockists.

NH Prima is a newly formed company that holds Neelofa’s brands such as Naelofar Hijab, Naelofar Abaya, LF Lens and Bellavita under one roof. - Bernama

* See also Overseas sales of Neelofa’s brands to triple with new London office