Malaysia: Matrade’s 2012 Work Programme To Meet Government Initiatives

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 7 (Bernama) — The Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation’s (Matrade) 2012 Work Programme will continue to meet the strategic requirements of the New Economic Model (NEM), Economic Transformation Programme (ETP) and the 10th Malaysia Plan (10MP).

In a statement Wednesday, chief executive officer Dr Wong Lai Sum, said in formulating its 2012 Work Programme, Matrade had taken into account several key factors, such as, the continuity of programmes under the ETP and the 10MP.

Other factors include the changes in Matrade’s structure to be more industry-centric, the imperative to double manufactured exports by 2015 and other challenges in the domestic economic and global trading environment.

“With these issues factored in, the 2012 Work Programme will focus on key strategic markets, pushing export opportunities for new sources of growth, strengthening the competitiveness of Malaysian exporters, improving service delivery to support export promotion activities and collaboration with private sectors on new vehicles for market access,” she said.

A key component of the 2012 Work Programme will be the execution and delivery of more than 120 trade promotion activities that involves participation in international trade fairs, Specialised Marketing Missions (SMM), promotion booths, In-coming Buying Missions (IBM), joint promotion activities and the organising of three exhibitions.

The exhibitions are the Malaysia International Halal Showcase (MIHAS), Malaysia Services Exhibition (MSE) and International Trade Malaysia (INTRADE).

“The industry sectors that will be covered by these trade activities under the 2012 Work Programme will be construction services and building materials, electrical and electronics and ICT, health and environmental products and services, lifestyle, machinery, transportation, logistics and maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO), oil and gas and chemicals, processed food, biotech and halal as well as professional and business services.

“These trade promotion activities will be carried out in geographical regions according to market segmentation, the statement added.

— BERNAMA