Matrade spurs Malaysian exporters through digitalisation
FROM the challenges of the past two years during the Covid-19 pandemic, one major change emerged that seems to have had a positive impact on business and trade – digitalisation.
This trend continues even now as we adjust to the endemic phase.
According to the Organisation of Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), digitalisation enhances international trade by reducing costs, facilitates coordination of global value chains, diffuses ideas and technologies, and connects more businesses and consumers.
Even before the pandemic, the Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (Matrade) was already actively promoting digitalisation among Malaysian exporters.
As the national trade promotion organisation, it aims to ensure Malaysian companies remain competitive and help them penetrate the global market.
This is evident on its website, whereby the Malaysia Products Directory, Malaysia Services Directory and Malaysia Brands Directory enable interested buyers to link up with Malaysian companies registered with Matrade.
Matrade has 46 offices around the world, which regularly provide market insights uploaded in real-time to the MyExport portal. – Abu Bakar Yusof
Matrade offers a wide range of digital services that encompass market intelligence, business matching, trade facilitation and promotion.
For those looking to venture into exports, the Export Readiness Assessment Tool (ERAT) is an app that helps companies ascertain whether they are ready for this sector.
“Under ERAT, companies are presented with 23 questions and the system will compile all the answers to measure how each company performs in four attributes – export resources, marketing methods, management commitments and product and services potential,” said Matrade Exporters Development deputy chief executive officer Abu Bakar Yusof.
MyExport is an online platform that provides trade information and market intelligence to Matrade-registered exporters.
“Matrade has 46 offices around the world, which regularly provide market insights uploaded in real-time to the MyExport portal. Through this portal, companies registered with Matrade can receive these reports at the same time they are published,” Abu Bakar said.
MyExport was named the second runner-up at the World Trade Promotion Organisation (WTPO) Awards 2020 under the Best Use of Information Technology category.
MIHAS 2022 goes hybrid
Halal products and services signify hygiene, quality assurance and ethical consideration. Accordingly, the majority of consumers link sustainable practices with halal principles. It also provides an abundance of business opportunities.
This is testament to the global appeal of the halal market and the important role that Matrade’s iconic trade event – the Malaysia International Halal Showcase (MIHAS) – plays in its growth.
Matrade bagged the award for Best Use of Information Technology at the 13th WTPO Conference and Awards on May 17. The national trade promotion organisation was recognised for its initiative in organising the first fully virtual edition of the 17th MIHAS in 2021.
Matrade works with local market partners, influencers and key opinion leaders to promote Malaysian companies. – Sharimahton Mat Saleh
Adding to its triumph, MIHAS 2021 was also recognised at the Malaysia Public Relations Awards (MPRA) 2021, clinching the gold award for Best “Pandemic Pivot” or “Covid-19 Communications” campaign category.
This is a reflection of Matrade’s capabilities to excel on the global stage and make itself known as one of the distinguished Malaysian government agencies.
Links and partnerships
With offices worldwide, Matrade is instrumental in promoting Malaysian exporters by ensuring international buyers are aware of the strengths and attractiveness of Malaysian-made products and services.
During the pandemic, one of the main avenues introduced was the Electronic Business Linkage (eBizLink) programme.
“The programme is part of the Strategic Programme to Empower the People and Economy (Pemerkasa) introduced to help drive economic recovery,” said Matrade Export Acceleration deputy chief executive officer Sharimahton Mat Saleh.
“Under it, Matrade’s international offices work with local market partners as well as influencers and key opinion leaders to promote Malaysian companies through hybrid (online and offline) platforms.”
Matrade also helps Malaysian companies meet and match with interested importers through the eBizMatch programme, which is instrumental in enhancing the capacity and capabilities of Malaysian exporters.
“Thanks to eBizMatch, exporters are able to improve efficiency and productivity as online meetings save a lot of time and money since they don’t need to travel to meet buyers,” Sharimahton said.
The pandemic also saw some older programmes given a new lease of life.
For instance, the eTRADE programme was set up under the 11th Malaysia Plan to help Malaysian SMEs registered with Matrade on board ecommerce platforms.
Its success, coupled with the heightened importance of ecommerce brought on by the pandemic, resulted in Matrade launching an improved version of the programme in 2021 – the eTRADE Programme 2.0.
This new scheme helps Malaysian SMEs on ecommerce platforms offset the costs of digital marketing and training. It has helped about 280 SMEs and generated export sales of RM26mil.
The time to export is now
Matrade’s digitalisation efforts are a boon for global trade. Even though the worst of the pandemic is seemingly over and the world is reopening, there is no doubt that digitalisation will continue to grow in importance.
Matrade urges Malaysian companies that want to make a mark in international markets to register with Matrade today.
For more information, visit www.matrade.gov.my. Alternatively, you can also reach out to any of its offices or social media platforms.
