Women-led Enterprises Record RM229 Mln Projected Sales During WiEX@MIHAS 2026

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 2 (Bernama) -- Women-led enterprises achieved RM229 million in potential export sales through pre-arranged business-matching sessions and a four-day exhibition held at the Women in Export (WiEX) Pavilion @ MIHAS 2026. 

In a statement today, the Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE) said 215 business-to-business meetings connected local women entrepreneurs with international buyers and distributors from Egypt, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, China, Hong Kong, Thailand, Indonesia and Myanmar.

“Women-owned companies from Selangor, Kedah, Kuala Lumpur, Perak and Penang topped the sales with a combined value of RM129.84 million for confectionery, snacks, coffee, tea, cocoa and sportswear products. 

“Held in conjunction with MIHAS 2026, WiEX underscores a strategic Whole-of-Government approach to scaling women-led businesses into high-value global supply chains,” the national trade promotion agency said.

Led by MATRADE, with the support of the Pertubuhan Hal Ehwal Wanita dan Keluarga Malaysia (HAWA Malaysia), the initiative brought together key government ministries and developmental agencies.

These include the Ministry of Rural and Regional Development (KKDW), Majlis Amanah Rakyat (MARA), SME Corp Malaysia, the Northern Corridor Economic Region (NCER), Wanita Berdaya Selangor and UDA Holdings Bhd.

The agency added that this inter-agency ecosystem ensures an inclusive and seamless transition for women entrepreneurs, from domestic capacity-building to international market access.

Speaking at the WiEX Forum, MATRADE chairman, Datuk Seri Reezal Merican Naina Merican emphasised that women entrepreneurs’ contributions are central to Malaysia’s economy.

He said the Department of Statistics Malaysia’s (DOSM) Economic Census 2023 revealed that women own 20.1 per cent of Malaysian businesses, generating RM136.9 billion in output and employing nearly a million people.

“Yet, there remains room to improve export readiness. That is why MATRADE continues the WiEX initiative alongside HAWA Malaysia, which is chaired by Tan Sri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil.

“WiEX is now a key component under MIHAS 2026, delivering a complete ecosystem of capacity building, market access, and recognition to help women entrepreneurs seize global opportunities,” he said. 

MATRADE said that through the combined impact of trade facilitation, strategic cross-agency backing and industry mentorship, the agency will continue working alongside HAWA Malaysia, KKDW, MARA, SME Corp, NCER and international trade partners to elevate the 'Made by Malaysia' brand globally.

-- BERNAMA