KUCHING: The Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (Matrade) has kicked-off its annual eNational Export Day (eNED@2021) with the theme ‘Reignite Your Exports’.
MATRADE formalised a landmark collaboration at eNED@2021 to partner with technology heavyweight, Google Malaysia, and prominent Islamic Finance player, Bank Islam Malaysia Bhd (Bank Islam), in reaffirming its mandate to promote Malaysia’s enterprises to the world.
“I believe that this annual event, will create an effective platform in the new normal to impart knowledge and technical know-how on export opportunities and strategies, through constructive and engaging discourses with businesses,” Ministry of International Trade and Industry’s Deputy Minister, Senator Datuk Lim Ban Hong, said in his keynote speech.
“With the synergy set into motion, I am sure that the continuous recovery of Malaysia’s exports can take place, ultimately building our economic resilience.”
According to Matrade chairman Tan Sri Dr Halim Mohammad, Matrade is embracing the new norm by changing its approach to cater for more agile assistance and by enhancing promotion activities to ensure Malaysian companies remain competitive.
“This year, eNED offers even more value for participants as it highlights key insights to guide exporters in the areas of financing, sustainability, digitalisation, market opportunities as well as current trade-related issues,” Halim said during his welcoming remarks on the shift in MATRADE’s trade promotion strategy.
“These topics were carefully chosen to excite exporters in reimagining the future beyond Covid-19.”
Weighing in on its partnership with Matrade at the eNED@2021, Google Malaysia managing director Marc Woo said that at Google, they believe technology plays a significant role in helping companies to adapt their approach to meet the evolving business environment.
“We are looking forward to undertaking even more initiatives under this new collaboration with Matrade, aimed at helping more Malaysian businesses internationalise,” Woo said.
“It is our shared hope that this will produce more export-ready businesses to capitalise on the increasing global trade opportunities.”
Bank Islam chief executive officer Mohd Muazzam Mohamed added that the bank is honoured to facilitate the growth of businesses through their comprehensive suite of Shariah-compliant product offerings, allowing enterprises to venture and fortify their market presence globally.
“In turn, we will able to contribute to the country’s economic recovery post-Covid-19 pandemic.”
Google Malaysia and Bank Islam launched into their first assignments, being collaborative partners to Matrade, as panel members at eNED@2021.
The public-private synergy will also leverage on shared assets to organise enrichment programmes in the longer-term to raise the business community’s competitiveness.
These include immersion sessions on digital tools, global networking and business matching initiatives.
Plenary sessions across three days will discuss challenges faced by enterprises in pursuing export markets, such as funding, trade regulations and supply chain disruptions.
C-suites from the public and private sector, small and medium enterprise (SME) association representatives and trade commissioners across key growth markets shared their insights on the current global market scenario, opportunities and effective entry strategies.
Interesting topics to be discussed in the coming days of eNED@2021 include sustainability as a future export agenda, digitalisation beyond the pandemic through e-commerce, as well as updates on the US-China trade conflict and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP).
Business owners can still register to be a part of the largest exporters’ virtual gathering at the eNED@2021 and benefit from the sessions scheduled for July 14 and 15.
Approximately 2,000 companies across sectors such as commodities, food and beverage, manufacturing, agriculture, construction, business and financial services and education, among others, registered for the eNED@2021.
Source: https://www.theborneopost.com/2021/07/13/matrade-google-malaysia-bank-islam-to-accelerate-sme-exports/