Matrade gets RM50mil allocation to boost export market expansion
KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (Matrade) has welcomed the government's announcement of an additional RM50 million allocation, aimed at accelerating the exploration of new markets for Malaysian businesses.
This move, announced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, highlights the Madani government's commitment to ensuring Malaysia's economic resilience and competitiveness amid global trade challenges.
Matrade chairman Datuk Seri Reezal Merican Naina Merican said the additional funding aligns with the MADANI government's agenda and the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry's leadership to further expand Malaysia's export expansion.
"The additional RM50 million allocation is a strategic boost that will empower Matrade to accelerate our market diversification strategy and support Malaysian businesses," he said in a statement.
Reezal encouraged export-orientated companies, particularly mid-tier companies and micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), to seize this opportunity and reach out to Matrade for assistance in expanding their global presence.
While strengthening trade relations with traditional markets such as the United States, China, ASEAN, and the European Union, Matrade is also stepping up efforts to tap into emerging markets in regions like Latin America, Central Asia, South Asia, and Africa.
In 2024, Malaysia's exports to these markets recorded encouraging growth, particularly to South Asia and the Middle East, which expanded by 11.8 per cent and 6.3 per cent, respectively.
MATRADE is supporting Malaysian exporters, especially SMEs, in expanding into new markets and reinforcing global trade connections through targeted initiatives such as international trade expos, export acceleration missions, business matching programmes, and digital tools like the MADANI Digital Trade (MDT) platform.
The organisation encourages all export-focused companies, particularly Mid-Tier Companies (MTCs) and Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), to take advantage of this opportunity and connect with MATRADE for expert guidance and assistance in growing their global footprint.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
New Straits Times
3 hours ago
- New Straits Times
Ringgit set to extend gains as US fundamentals weaken
KUALA LUMPUR: The ringgit is poised to extend its gains against the US dollar next week, buoyed by weakening US fundamentals, easing trade tensions, and stronger domestic economic resilience. The local currency has already strengthened against major and Asean currencies, and Bank Muamalat Malaysia Bhd chief economist Dr Mohd Afzanizam Abdul Rashid said the trend is likely to persist as economic momentum in the US continues to lose steam. "We expect this trend to hold in the near term, driven by signs of a slowing US economy as business and consumer sentiment continue to weaken," he told Business Times. Afzanizam added that heightened uncertainty over US trade policies is further dampening confidence among businesses, prompting a reassessment of the greenback's global standing. "In some ways, the US dollar's dominance in the global economy is being revisited. This shift could favour emerging market currencies, including the ringgit, in the short to medium term," he said. Echoing this view, SPI Asset Management managing partner Stephen Innes said that foreign appetite for Malaysian assets remains strong, further supporting the local currency. "The ringgit is finally catching a break. With the US dollar on the back foot, tariffs de-escalating, and capital inflows into bonds and FX deposits rising, there is a tangible floor forming under ringgit," he said. Innes pointed to growing foreign appetite for Malaysian debt, highlighting the 3.3 times bid-to-cover ratio in May's 20-year government investment issue (GII) auction as a signal of revived confidence. He noted that foreign holdings of local government bonds have risen to 21.5 per cent, reversing a dip recorded in February. Adding to the ringgit's resilience, foreign currency deposits in local banks have climbed to a record 11.6 per cent of total deposits, offering a buffer against external shocks. Innes said that while Malaysia is not immune to global economic fragility, it is also not a sitting duck, with the domestic investment cycle now taking the lead. "If the trade war cools and global risk sentiment remains stable, Malaysia may continue to navigate the delicate balance between global volatility and domestic resilience. The ringgit, for once, has a shot at playing offence," he added. The ringgit opened higher this morning, extending its gains against the US dollar. At 8am, it stood at 4.2140/4.2335 compared with Thursday's close of 4.2245/4.2295. The local currency also traded mostly higher against major currencies, gaining ground against the Japanese yen and British pound, though it slipped slightly against the euro. Among regional peers, the ringgit appreciated across most Asean currencies, including the Singapore dollar, Thai baht, Indonesian rupiah and Philippine peso. It ended Friday's session at 4.2275 against the greenback.
BusinessToday
3 hours ago
- BusinessToday
Local Yields May Trade Lower On US Optimism
Yields on Malaysian government bonds closed mixed this week, with cautious optimism around global trade and soft US economic data helping to anchor the local fixed-income market. According to Kenanga Research, yields on Malaysian Government Securities (MGS) and Government Investment Issues (GII) moved within a narrow range of -4.2 to +0.9 basis points (bps) across the curve. The benchmark 10-year MGS yield eased 1.6 bps to 3.518% The 10-year GII dipped 0.2 bps to 3.532% Global and Domestic Drivers The slight decline in long-term yields closely followed movements in US Treasuries, which reacted to positive signals in US-China trade negotiations. The improved trade outlook, combined with softer US economic data, has reinforced expectations of an earlier rate cut by the US Federal Reserve. On the domestic front, a modest improvement in Malaysia's Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) and continued export growth to African markets have supported confidence in local bonds, contributing to the relatively stable yield environment. Outlook: Stable Yields with Eyes on US Inflation Kenanga expects local bond yields to remain stable in the near term, with upcoming economic data — including industrial production, retail sales, and labour market statistics — likely to guide investor sentiment. However, the research house cautioned that any upside surprise in US inflation data could prompt global bond yields to rise, potentially spilling over into the Malaysian market. Additionally, renewed uncertainty in US tariff policy could reintroduce volatility. 'Investors should stay alert to both domestic data and global developments, especially updates on tariff talks,' Kenanga stated. Related
The Star
4 hours ago
- The Star
Cuts hit contract workers
Meeting of minds: Anwar receiving a courtesy call from Muhammad Shahrul in Putrajaya. — Photo courtesy of Anwar's Facebook page PUTRAJAYA: The move by PETRONAS to trim its workforce by about 10% involves mostly contract workers, says Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. 'It mostly involves contract (positions),' Anwar said when asked to comment on reports that PETRONAS would cut about 5,000 employees as part of a 'right-sizing' process. Anwar, who is also Finance Minister, said this after performing Friday prayers with over 500 congregants at Surau Al-Ikhwan, Jalan Pinggiran Putra, near here yesterday, Bernama reported. Also present was Selangor Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari. On Thursday, PETRONAS president and group chief executive officer Tan Sri Tengku Muhammad Taufik Tengku Kamadjaja Aziz was reported to have said that the national oil and gas company would cut about 10% of its workforce as part of its right-sizing and restructuring process. He also denied that the state-owned company would exit its business in Canada. PETRONAS had previously stated that it needs to right-size its workforce to ensure the company's sustainability in the decades to come. It has nearly 50,000 employees, according to its website. Separately, Anwar said he would contact his Thai counterpart, Paetongtarn Shinawatra, regarding the border dispute between Thailand and Cambodia. Anwar said that as the Asean Chair, Malaysia took note of the developments in both countries. 'We will issue a statement (on the outcome of the discussion with Paetongtarn) later,' he told reporters. On May 28, Thai and Cambodian troops were involved in a brief skirmish in Thailand's Ubon Ratchathani province and Cambodia's Preah Vihear province, which resulted in the death of a Cambodian soldier. Cambodia has since announced its intention to bring the border dispute to the International Court of Justice. Thailand, meanwhile, has reportedly reiterated its commitment to resolving the issue peacefully in accordance with international law, as well as existing agreements and memoranda with Cambodia. Earlier, Anwar received a courtesy call from the new Malaysian Ambassador to the United States, Tan Sri Muhammad Shahrul Ikram Yaakob. Anwar said that they discussed, among others, measures to strengthen bilateral ties between Malaysia and the United States, including strategic efforts to attract quality and high-impact foreign investments. 'Among (the topics) touched on included strengthening Malaysia-US ties as well as efforts to attract quality and high-impact foreign investments from the country,' he said in a Facebook post today. The Prime Minister also wished Muhammad Shahrul all the best on his appointment, while stating his confidence in the former to elevate Malaysia's aspirations, image and reputation to the highest level. On June 3, His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia, presented the instrument of appointment to Muhammad Shahrul in a ceremony at Istana Negara.
