MATRADE: Malaysian SMEs Urged To Take Part In Export

By Azlee Nor Mahmud KUALA LUMPUR, April 20 (Bernama) -- The export contribution of Malaysian small and medium enterprises (SMEs) is still low despite their huge number, said the Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE). Chief Executive Officer Dr Mohd Shahreen Zainooreen Madros said the overseas forays among over 900,000 local SMEs stood at merely 17.8 per cent, with the SME Masterplan targeting the figure to rise to 23 per cent by 2020. “Local SMEs have to strive for the export markets to ensure business sustainability, as Malaysia is pursuing the globalisation agenda. “The role of SMEs is crucial to the economy and social development as they contribute nearly 36 per cent of the country’s gross domestic product and 65 per cent of the country's employment,” he told Bernama at the Beyond Nations Public Contest prize-giving ceremony, here Thursday. Mohd Shahreen said there were abundant opportunities overseas for Malaysian companies to tap into, with ASEAN alone having a market of 625 million people, China, Malaysia’s biggest trading partner (1.4 billion people), and India, Malaysia’s emerging trading partner (1.3 billion people). He said there were also other big markets such as the US, Latin America, Europe and Africa. “We would like to invite all Malaysian SMEs to register as MATRADE members in order to benefit from our latest programmes and export opportunity updates from around the world,” he said, adding MATRADE's 47 global trade offices would also be able to help link local SMEs with potential business partners across six continents. The Beyond Nations brand awareness campaign was launched by Prime Minister Najib Razak in September 2016, with the aim of creating insights on export and making it a common business value for all SMEs. Mohd Shahreen said the campaign helped instill inspirations and aspirations of going beyond borders, elevate the SME mindset, as well as break out of their comfort zone and enter overseas markets. The contest engages the community, enabling them the opportunity to nominate Malaysian brands or companies they think could excel in export. Six winners were celebrated at the event, which also featured three companies, namely Selia-Tek Sdn Bhd, Aetins Sdn Bhd and NCL Solutions Sdn Bhd sharing their success stories on exploring overseas markets . --BERNAMA