Advertisement

Image credit: The Star

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysian companies should explore emerging markets such as Ukraine in nding new buyers, International Trade and Industry (MITI) deputy minister Datuk Lim Ban Hong said in his speech at a webinar titled Malaysia-Ukraine: New Markets New Opportunities (Post COVID-19).

He emphasised that market diversication is crucial to help cushion some impact in the disruption of global supply chain activities due to the Covid19 pandemic.

"Ukraine is one of Malaysia's key trading partners in the Eastern Europe region. Diplomatic relations between Malaysia and Ukraine were established way back in 1991 to facilitate economic, trade and cultural relations between the two countries.

"The bilateral relations between both nations are further enhanced with the establishment of the Embassy of Malaysia in Kiev in September 2004," he said.

The webinar organised by MITI's agency Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE) in collaboration with

the Embassy of Ukraine in Kuala Lumpur and was attended by more than 350 participants, both from Malaysia and Ukraine.

He also acknowledged the continuous efforts by MATRADE in

exploring new markets and in connecting local businesses with foreign buyers.

In 2019, Malaysia recorded a total trade value of RM1.51 billion with Ukraine. In the period of January to August 2020, total trade between the two countries increased by

11.4 per cent compared to corresponding period of last year.

Lim also encouraged industry players to embrace the current business climate by being more flexible, innovative and more receptive towards transformation.

At the same time, he stressed that the ability to adapt and adopt to situational changes will be crucial for businesses to maintain their relevance in the global market.

"Malaysia's strategic location at the heart of ASEAN bodes well for Ukrainian enterprises to expand their businesses in the surrounding markets.

"As a gateway, Ukrainian companies will be able to reach out to more than 650 million population within ASEAN," he said.

Lim also noted that the government is committed to supporting local businesses to remain competitive and resilient by introducing policies and measures that support their economic recovery.

MITI, through its trade promotion agency, MATRADE will continue to link local companies with foreign buyers and unlock new opportunities for our business communities in emerging markets such as Ukraine, Lim said.

Ukraine deputy foreign minister Dmytro Senik said Malaysia is

considered one of Asia's leading trading nations with favourable geographic location and conducive business environment.

"Malaysia has all the necessary ingredients to become an entry point for Ukrainian businesses into ASEAN.

Likewise, Ukraine can be a gateway for Malaysia into the

bigger European market. We consider Malaysia as an important partner in the Southeast Asia region," said Dmytro.

In addition to manufactured goods, Dmytro also pointed out that Malaysian companies have the expertise in design and development, facility management, repair and

maintenance services for construction, energy and aviation industries.

He also said as one of the global agricultural powerhouses,

Ukraine can be an important food security contributor to Malaysia.

In the first nine months of 2020, grain exports from Ukraine to Malaysia quadrupled, reaching US$65 million (RM275.3 million).

Currently, Malaysia's major exports to Ukraine are palm oil and palm oil-based agriculture products, electrical & electronics as well as rubber products.

Moving forward, industry players from both countries can venture into more collaborations in high-value sectors such as information technology (IT) fintech, aerospace, education, pharmaceutical research and development as well as medical tourism.

Malaysian companies may also want to leverage on digital technology and e- commerce to reach out to the Ukrainian buyers.

Some initiatives that can facilitate this are the eBizMatch Programme and eTRADE Programme by MATRADE.

Lim also noted that local small and medium enterprises have the capabilities and capacities to offer high value-add industrial support from design and development to even after-sales services to the Ukrainian counterparts.

Source: https://www.nst.com.my/business/2020/10/630960/malaysian-businesses-encouraged-explore-ukraine-new-buyers