Latest news with #Matta
Daily Express
11 hours ago
- Business
- Daily Express
Chief Minister to officiate Asean Travel Exchange June 19
Published on: Wednesday, June 04, 2025 Published on: Wed, Jun 04, 2025 Text Size: Tan (standing at right) briefing Minister Liew (seated at left) on ATE 2025. Kota Kinabalu: Preparations are underway for Sabah to host the two-day Asean Travel Exchange (ATE) 2025 this month, says State Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Seri Christina Liew. Basically, ATE 2025 is a premier Business 2 Business (B2B) networking event in Sabah, connecting travel trade sellers and regional buyers to foster partnerships and collaborations on June 19 and 20. The Minister said the State Government through the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Environment (KePKAS) will host this inaugural mega tourism event at the Sabah International Convention Centre (SICC). Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor has been invited to officiate at the opening ceremony on June 19. Liew said KePKAS supports the proposal for four organisations to establish strategic partnership with Sabah Tourism Board (STB) in organising ATE 2025. They are the Asean Tourism Association (Aseanta), Federation of Asean Travel Associations (Fata), Malaysian Association of Tour & Travel Agents (Matta), and AirAsia Group. Asean has 10 member countries: Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, The Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam. For ATE 2025, the target audience will be made up of tour operators, travel agents, hoteliers, homestay operators, product owners, and decision-makers from the industry stakeholders. 'As we gear up for the upcoming event, I have been informed by the President of Fata (Datuk Tan Kok Liang) that 354 delegates from 17 countries have already confirmed their participation. They comprise 125 sellers and 229 buyers,' said Liew after a courtesy call by a delegation from the organisers, recently. According to Tan, seller countries include Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, Brunei, and Cambodia, with Malaysia leading the list at 88 sellers. 'On the buyers' side, top participating countries include the Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia, India, and Thailand. This strong regional presence underscores growing international interest in Malaysia's tourism offerings, particularly in Sabah, which continues to gain traction as a vibrant and strategic tourism hub in the region,' he said in his briefing for the Minister. Also present were the Ministry's Permanent Secretary Datuk Josie Lai, President of Matta Nigel Wong, Chairman of Matta Sabah Mohd Azlan Saleh, and Immediate Past Chairman of Matta Sabah, Lawrence Chin. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
Zawya
19-05-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Unlocking Africa's $180bln digital trade economy
LAGOS, Nigeria -- The future of African trade is digital, and it's unfolding. From Dakar to Durban, a quiet but steady transformation is taking shape. According to the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), global trade hit a record $33 trillion in 2024, with developing economies, including Africa, playing a growing role in that expansion. The African Free Continental Trade Area offers the largest free market, including 55 countries, a population of 1.3 billion and a combined GDP of $3.4 trillion. The opportunities are vast, yet the strategies required for industrial players to source, move and manage raw materials and finished goods remain a challenge. 'The continent's digital economy is projected to reach $180 billion by 2025, up from $115 billion in 2020, thus contributing significantly to Africa's GDP, creating new job opportunities, and expanding regional trade. Digital trade is transforming the continent's economic landscape, creating new opportunities for real economic growth, productive job creation, and poverty reduction.' H.E. Dr Jumoke Oduwole, Minister, Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade & Investment 'Building on this rapid expansion, our focus must shift from isolated digital initiatives to a fully integrated ecosystem that streamlines every step of trade—sourcing, supplying, logistics and payments. By integrating these functionalities on a single platform, Matta enables manufacturers to navigate sourcing headaches and suppliers to manage cross-border complexities with confidence and unlocks new markets in Africa in real time. This holistic approach is what will transform digital trade's potential into tangible, inclusive economic growth across Africa.' Mudiaga Mowoe, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Matta. Launched to enable sustainable African economies, Matta's integrated ecosystem—today powered by the Matta digital marketplace ( and the Flux logistics management tool, with Oxide Finance (Matta's upcoming trade-financing and cross-border payments platform) arriving soon—empowers manufacturers and suppliers across food & beverage, home & personal care, paints & coatings, agro-processing, automotive assembly, textiles, construction, and beyond with truly end-to-end sourcing, movement, and settlement. Rather than supplanting traditional trade networks, this unified platform amplifies human partnerships through real-time visibility, traceability, and seamless transactions. This evolution in digital trade and industrial growth is one of the key conversations that will take centre stage at the West Africa Industrialisation, Manufacturing & Trade (West Africa IMT) Summit and Exhibition, set to take place from October 21-23, 2025. West Africa IMT is a high-level platform for government leaders, investors, manufacturers, and technology innovators to align practical solutions and policy frameworks for accelerating Africa's industrial transformation. Matta, Africa's integrated ecosystem for industrial trade, will join other industry stakeholders across the continent at West Africa IMT 2025 to discuss the potential opportunities for industrial growth in the West African sub-region. As manufacturers increasingly seek more innovative, more efficient ways to power production beyond physical infrastructure and policy support, there's an urgent need for systems that simplify sourcing, enhance transparency, and ensure supply chain reliability. Matta addresses these challenges by connecting African manufacturers directly to verified suppliers of raw materials and commodities, ensuring business continuity in an environment where procurement bottlenecks often slow production timelines. Digital platforms address multiple challenges simultaneously: procurement complexities, logistics coordination, payment processing, and data-based planning. By integrating these capabilities into industrial operations, West African economies can accelerate development timelines and establish competitive manufacturing centres that participate effectively in global markets. As African nations chart independent economic paths, digital trade platforms like Matta will significantly influence how quickly and effectively new industrial capabilities develop. The transformation in African trade is already underway, with effects that will continue to reshape economic relationships for years to come. West Africa Industrialisation, Manufacturing & Trade Summit & Exhibition 21-23 October 2025 I Landmark Centre | Lagos | Nigeria Distributed by APO Group on behalf of dmg Nigeria events. Contact Details: Roshan Jan-Mahomed Head of Marketing – Africa Email: info@ About the West Africa Industrialisation, Manufacturing & Trade Summit and Exhibition 2025: The Pre-eminent Global Gathering Driving West Africa's Industrial Revolution The West Africa Industrialisation, Manufacturing and Trade (West Africa IMT) Summit and Exhibition will unite the industrialisation ecosystem, including energy, finance, infrastructure, manufacturing, raw materials, logistics/supply chain, technology, trade and security, to accelerate a sustainable industrial revolution for West Africa. As governments across the region have declared industrialisation as a key priority, the Strategic Summit will feature the visions from Heads of government seeking public–private partnerships to drive industrial revolution across the region. Decisive action is at the core of the agenda, providing solutions for sustainable resource valorisation and opening up trade pathways for economic development and prosperity. Participation is expected from across the global industrialisation value chain including the following industries: Aerospace, Agriculture, Automotive, Chemicals, Construction, Energy & Utilities, FCMG, Heavy Industries, ICT & Electronics, Infrastructure, Logistics & Transportation, Machine & Equipment, Maritime, Medical, Mining, Plastics & Rubber, Pharmaceuticals, Retail, Technology Solution Providers, Textiles, Water & Utilities. 15+ African ministers 25+ countries represented from around the globe 70+ expert industry speakers 250+ exhibiting companies 500+ conference delegates 2,500+ attendees About dmg Nigeria events: dmg Nigeria events is a subsidiary of dmg events. dmg events is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Daily Mail and General Trust plc (DMGT), an international portfolio of information, media and events businesses. DMGT manages a diverse, multinational portfolio of companies, with total revenues of around £1 billion, that provide businesses and consumers with compelling information, analysis, insight, events, news and entertainment. Its venture capital business, dmg ventures, holds minority stakes in early-stage businesses and focuses particularly on disruptive consumer media propositions. Headquartered in Dubai, UAE since 1989 with offices in Canada, Egypt, Nigeria, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Africa, Thailand and the UK. dmg events is an international exhibition, conference and intelligence company, attracting more than 1,000,000 attendees to a portfolio of over 80 events each year. This global portfolio works closely with key stakeholders across the industry to facilitate pragmatic dialogue, serving as a platform for the latest discussions at the forefront of change. For more information on dmg events, visit: SOURCE dmg Nigeria events
Zawya
19-05-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Unlocking Africa's $180 billion Digital Trade Economy
The future of African trade is digital, and it's unfolding. From Dakar to Durban, a quiet but steady transformation is taking shape. According to the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), global trade hit a record $33 trillion in 2024, with developing economies, including Africa, playing a growing role in that expansion. The African Free Continental Trade Area offers the largest free market, including 55 countries, a population of 1.3 billion and a combined GDP of $3.4 trillion. The opportunities are vast, yet the strategies required for industrial players to source, move and manage raw materials and finished goods remain a challenge. 'The continent's digital economy is projected to reach $180 billion by 2025, up from $115 billion in 2020, thus contributing significantly to Africa's GDP, creating new job opportunities, and expanding regional trade. Digital trade is transforming the continent's economic landscape, creating new opportunities for real economic growth, productive job creation, and poverty reduction.' H.E. Dr Jumoke Oduwole, Minister, Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade&Investment 'Building on this rapid expansion, our focus must shift from isolated digital initiatives to a fully integrated ecosystem that streamlines every step of trade—sourcing, supplying, logistics and payments. By integrating these functionalities on a single platform, Matta enables manufacturers to navigate sourcing headaches and suppliers to manage cross-border complexities with confidence and unlocks new markets in Africa in real time. This holistic approach is what will transform digital trade's potential into tangible, inclusive economic growth across Africa.' Mudiaga Mowoe, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Matta. Launched to enable sustainable African economies, Matta's integrated ecosystem—today powered by the Matta digital marketplace ( and the Flux logistics management tool, with Oxide Finance (Matta's upcoming trade-financing and cross-border payments platform) arriving soon—empowers manufacturers and suppliers across food&beverage, home&personal care, paints&coatings, agro-processing, automotive assembly, textiles, construction, and beyond with truly end-to-end sourcing, movement, and settlement. Rather than supplanting traditional trade networks, this unified platform amplifies human partnerships through real-time visibility, traceability, and seamless transactions. This evolution in digital trade and industrial growth is one of the key conversations that will take centre stage at the West Africa Industrialisation, Manufacturing&Trade (West Africa IMT) Summit and Exhibition, set to take place from October 21-23, 2025. West Africa IMT is a high-level platform for government leaders, investors, manufacturers, and technology innovators to align practical solutions and policy frameworks for accelerating Africa's industrial transformation. Matta, Africa's integrated ecosystem for industrial trade, will join other industry stakeholders across the continent at West Africa IMT 2025 to discuss the potential opportunities for industrial growth in the West African sub-region. As manufacturers increasingly seek more innovative, more efficient ways to power production beyond physical infrastructure and policy support, there's an urgent need for systems that simplify sourcing, enhance transparency, and ensure supply chain reliability. Matta addresses these challenges by connecting African manufacturers directly to verified suppliers of raw materials and commodities, ensuring business continuity in an environment where procurement bottlenecks often slow production timelines. Digital platforms address multiple challenges simultaneously: procurement complexities, logistics coordination, payment processing, and data-based planning. By integrating these capabilities into industrial operations, West African economies can accelerate development timelines and establish competitive manufacturing centres that participate effectively in global markets. As African nations chart independent economic paths, digital trade platforms like Matta will significantly influence how quickly and effectively new industrial capabilities develop. The transformation in African trade is already underway, with effects that will continue to reshape economic relationships for years to come. West Africa Industrialisation, Manufacturing&Trade Summit&Exhibition 21-23 October 2025 I Landmark Centre | Lagos | Nigeria Distributed by APO Group on behalf of dmg Nigeria events. Contact Details: Roshan Jan-Mahomed Head of Marketing – Africa Email: info@ A bout the West Africa Industrialisation, Manufacturing&Trade Summit and Exhibition 2025: The Pre-eminent Global Gathering Driving West Africa's Industrial Revolution The West Africa Industrialisation, Manufacturing and Trade (West Africa IMT) Summit and Exhibition will unite the industrialisation ecosystem, including energy, finance, infrastructure, manufacturing, raw materials, logistics/supply chain, technology, trade and security, to accelerate a sustainable industrial revolution for West Africa. As governments across the region have declared industrialisation as a key priority, the Strategic Summit will feature the visions from Heads of government seeking public–private partnerships to drive industrial revolution across the region. Decisive action is at the core of the agenda, providing solutions for sustainable resource valorisation and opening up trade pathways for economic development and prosperity. Participation is expected from across the global industrialisation value chain including the following industries: Aerospace, Agriculture, Automotive, Chemicals, Construction, Energy&Utilities, FCMG, Heavy Industries, ICT&Electronics, Infrastructure, Logistics&Transportation, Machine&Equipment, Maritime, Medical, Mining, Plastics&Rubber, Pharmaceuticals, Retail, Technology Solution Providers, Textiles, Water&Utilities. ● 15+ African ministers ● 25+ countries represented from around the globe ● 70+ expert industry speakers ● 250+ exhibiting companies ● 500+ conference delegates ● 2,500+ attendees About dmg Nigeria events: dmg Nigeria events is a subsidiary of dmg events. dmg events is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Daily Mail and General Trust plc (DMGT), an international portfolio of information, media and events businesses. DMGT manages a diverse, multinational portfolio of companies, with total revenues of around £1 billion, that provide businesses and consumers with compelling information, analysis, insight, events, news and entertainment. Its venture capital business, dmg ventures, holds minority stakes in early-stage businesses and focuses particularly on disruptive consumer media propositions. Headquartered in Dubai, UAE since 1989 with offices in Canada, Egypt, Nigeria, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Africa, Thailand and the UK. dmg events is an international exhibition, conference and intelligence company, attracting more than 1,000,000 attendees to a portfolio of over 80 events each year. This global portfolio works closely with key stakeholders across the industry to facilitate pragmatic dialogue, serving as a platform for the latest discussions at the forefront of change. For more information on dmg events, visit:
Daily Express
11-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Express
Matta Fair important milestone: Liew
Published on: Sunday, May 11, 2025 Published on: Sun, May 11, 2025 By: Sisca Humphrey Text Size: Christina (fourth left) posing for group photo with others at SICC. Kota Kinabalu: The 25th edition of Matta Fair Sabah was officially launched at Sabah International Convention Centre (SICC), Saturday, marking a pivotal moment in the revival and growth of Sabah's tourism sector. The three-day fair from May 9, organised by the Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (Matta) Headquarters in collaboration with its Sabah chapter, was officiated by State Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Seri Christina Liew. Christina emphasised the importance of the fair as a vital component of Sabah's ongoing efforts to promote its unique offerings to global travellers. 'Sabah is a land of unparalleled natural beauty and our rich culture, diverse ecosystems and adventure tourism opportunities continue to attract travellers from around the world. This fair is an important milestone in showcasing this and reaffirming our commitment to becoming a leading tourism hub,' she said. She said Sabah recorded RM4.5 million in sales during the recent National Matta Fair (April 18-20) in Kuala Lumpur, up from RM3 million in 2024. According to data from the Sabah Tourism Board (STB), the State recorded 923,709 tourist arrivals between January and March, with an 18.9pc increase compared to the same period in 2024. This included 366,727 international and 556,982 domestic visitors. Tourism receipts during the same period reached RM2.13 billion, up 17.7pc year-on-year. The top three international source markets were China (154,319 arrivals), South Korea (57,995 arrivals) and Brunei (45,469 arrivals). 'This growth reflects strong demand and appeal for Sabah's Culture, Adventure and Nature (CAN) tourism products, including island hopping, wildlife tours and cultural experiences at places such as the Mari Mari Cultural Village,' she added. She said the increased sales reflected a broader global interest in Sabah's tourism offerings, reinforcing the State's growing appeal as a must-visit destination in Asia. 'Our industry has not only recovered but has flourished. The demand for adventure, nature and cultural experiences in Sabah has increased dramatically. This growth affirms Sabah's place on the global tourism map. The State Government launched the 'Top 5 Mountains in Sabah' campaign at the recent Matta fair at KL, a targeted effort to promote the State's world-class peaks, including Mount Kinabalu, Mount Trus Madi and Mount Tambuyukon. Meanwhile, Organising Chairman Rocky Kho said this year's fair brings more exclusive travel deals. 'The fair aligns with Malaysia's Visit Malaysia 2026 (VM2026) campaign, enhancing Sabah's visibility as a key tourism destination and reinforcing Matta Fair's role as a platform for promoting travel,' he said. Rocky said the Matta Eco & Sustainable Tourism Initiative (Mesti) continues to focus on sustainable, inclusive travel, wildlife and marine conservation and cultural preservation. 'The fair is curated to deliver a consumer-focused experience, offering trusted travel agents, exclusive packages and on-ground promotions — making travel planning easy and inspiring,' he added. The fair's success was a testament to the region's resilience and its ability to adapt to changing global trends, ensuring that Sabah remained a sought-after destination for nature lovers, adventure enthusiasts and cultural explorers from across the globe. 'The journey of discovery and adventure begins right here at Matta Fair Sabah 2025,' Christina said as she officially declared the fair open. * Follow us on Instagram and join our Telegram and/or WhatsApp channel(s) for the latest news you don't want to miss. * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
Daily Express
09-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Express
Matta Fair Sabah back with over 140 booths
Published on: Friday, May 09, 2025 Published on: Fri, May 09, 2025 By: Sisca Humphrey Text Size: Rocky (centre) posing together with SYB Chief Executive Officer Julinus Jeffery Jimit (fifth left) and Phua (fourth left), Sabah Chapter Chairman Mohd Azlan Saleh (fifth right) and others at SICC. Kota Kinabalu: The 25th edition of the Matta Fair from May 9 to 11 is expected to be the largest yet with over 140 booths. 'With an extensive range of travel options and the reliability of trusted Matta members, visitors can confidently plan both local escapes and long-haul adventures,' said organising chairman Rocky Kho, Thursday. The Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (Matta) Chapter, is holding the event at Kinabatangan Hall 2 and 3, Sabah International Convention Centre (SICC). The three-day event would be launched by State Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Seri Christina Liew. The fair would span 3,495 square meters across two halls, showcasing 51 participants, including tour agencies, airlines, hotels and tourism offices. All participants are licensed travel agents registered with the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (Motac), ensuring consumers' safety and satisfaction. A major draw of the event is the Buyers' Contest, where visitors who spend a minimum of RM100 would be eligible to participate. 'The grand prize offers two round-trip economy class tickets from Kota Kinabalu (BKI) to Paris, valued at over RM9,000,' Rocky said. Other incredible prizes, sponsored by Malaysia Aviation Group (MAG), include round-trip tickets to Beijing, Kerala, Chiang Mai, Da Nang and business class tickets to Kuala Lumpur. In addition, Royal Brunei Airlines is contributing two international prizes, which is a round-trip economy class tickets from BKI to Beijing and from BKI to Incheon, Korea. 'With over RM61,000 worth of prizes, the Buyers' Contest is a fantastic reason to start planning your next travel adventure at this fair,' said Phua Tai Neng, the Honorary Secretary-General of Matta. Following a successful Matta Fair Sabah 2024, which recorded RM21 million in sales, the organisers are projecting RM26 million in sales for 2025, reflecting a strong rebound in consumer confidence and a growing demand for travel. 'This year's fair is set to build on that momentum, with more booths and exciting offerings to better serve our visitors,' Rocky said. The fair also aligns with the Visit Malaysia 2026 initiative, which Matta serves as a strategic partner. Sabah remains one of Malaysia's top tourist destinations, known for its rich flora and fauna, natural wonders and iconic sites such as Mount Kinabalu, Maliau Basin and the Kinabatangan River. This event is supported by RHB Bank as the official bank partner, Malaysia Aviation Group (MAG) as the official airline partner and premier sponsor, Sabah Tourism Board (STB), State Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Environment and Visit Malaysia 2026. For further details and the latest updates on Matta Fair Sabah 2025, visit the official Matta Fair website at and follow Matta Fair Sabah on Facebook (@MATTA Sabah) and Instagram (@mattafairsabah) for real-time information and announcements. * Follow us on Instagram and join our Telegram and/or WhatsApp channel(s) for the latest news you don't want to miss. * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
