Matrade Lifestyle and Life Sciences Section Director Abu Bakar Yusof
KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (Matrade) targets a 5% increase in exports of lifestyle products this year from RM39.18bil in 2017.
Matrade Lifestyle and Life Sciences Section Director Abu Bakar Yusof said exports of these products have been growing steadily by five to six per cent annually over the past five years.
“In the first five months of this year, we have achieved about RM15bil worth of exports, with RM4.21bil coming from the Asean market.
“We believe that by providing platforms for the small and medium enterprises (SMEs) such as the ASEAN Lifestyle Week (ALW) 2018, SMEs will be more exposed to the ASEAN and international markets and would be able to export more Malaysian- made lifestyle products,” he said in a press conference at the launch of the ALW website www.aseanlifestyleweek.com here today.
Abu Bakar said exports of lifestyle products, which include textiles, apparel and accessories as well as furniture, are expected to continue rising.
On the ALW 2018, Abu Bakar said the inaugural event, organised by Yayasan Budi Penyayang Malaysia (Penyayang) on Sept 8-9 at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre, will highlight about 150 exhibitors comprising local and Asean industry players.
The event has also garnered foreign interest including from France, India and Hong Kong.
“Matrade as a supporter to this event, will not only assist in the promotion of our SMEs’ products, but will also guide them on how to move to the next level and achieve greater success, while making KL the Asean gateway or hub for buyers and sellers from across the world to congregate and do business,” he said.
Meanwhile, Penyayang Chief Executive Officer Datuk Leela Mohd Ali said the non-profit organisation, which has been championing Batik Malaysia art and designs for the past 15 years, hopes that more creative products could be produced by local players, and not just confined to batik apparel.
“Integrate batik with other lifestyle products, mix and match them in our packaging, accessories and others. We want to see more batik makers able to highlight our heritage globally,” she said.
Themed ‘Delivering Wholesome Solutions’, the event is held in conjunction with the Piala Seri Endon Batik Design Competition under the Malaysia Batik Crafted for the World Movement which is under the patronage of Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, the fifth Prime Minister. - Bernama
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