WTPO AWARDS VICTORY PROVES MATRADE ON RIGHT PATH IN BOOSTING EXPORTS

KUALA LUMPUR, May 20 (Bernama) -- The Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation's (MATRADE) victory at the 2022 World Trade Promotion Awards during the World Trade Promotion Organisations (WTPO) Conference and Awards in Ghana recently, proves that the agency is on the right track in bolstering Malaysian exports.

Chief executive officer Mohd Mustafa Abdul Aziz said the winning also reflects the international recognition of MATRADE’s efforts in digitalisation initiatives to develop innovative and effective programmes.

"Such approach had placed MATRADE as the country’s trendsetter and first mover in spearheading the momentum for Malaysian exporters, especially small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to embrace digitalisation in their trade promotion activities," Mohd Mustafa said in a statement today.

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MATRADE was announced as the winner of 'Best Use of Information Technology' category at the 13th WTPO Conference and Awards held in Accra, Ghana, on May 17, 2022. The agency was recognised for its initiative in organising the first fully virtual edition of the 17th Malaysia International Halal Showcase (MIHAS) in 2021.

The Geneva-based International Trade Centre (ITC), in a statement, said the digitalisation of MIHAS 2021 allowed SME exports in the halal industry to continue growing despite disruptions caused by the pandemic. 

It said the virtual showcase has opened up new markets and made business connections more convenient and cost-effective.

Commenting further, Mohd Mustafa said the recognition by the ITC is a resounding testament of MATRADE’s capabilities as a world-class national trade promotion agency. 

Leveraging the digital transformation, MATRADE has undertaken numerous initiatives to ensure business continuity for Malaysian exporters by conducting virtual and hybrid trade promotion programmes such as trade fairs, export acceleration missions, virtual business meetings (eBizMatch), and webinars.

“In accordance with the digital initiatives by the government through MATRADE in enhancing Malaysia’s trade competitiveness and exports value, the Integrated Trade Events Platform and Single Information Portal for Exports are being developed after the proposal was approved by the Economic Action Council chaired by the Prime Minister last year. 

Both initiatives will lead to an accelerated adoption of digitalisation, through the establishment of digital business platforms, in tandem with the 12th Malaysia Plan (12MP) strategic directions," Mustafa said.

The WTPO Awards and Conference was organised by the ITC, a joint agency of the World Trade Organization (WTO) and the United Nations. Held every two years, the ITC collaborates with a national Trade Promotion Organisation to host this event.

“The main theme at the 13th WTPO is about sustainability and how innovation, as well as digitalisation can lead to sustainable export development and promotion”, said MATRADE deputy chief executive officer (exporters development) Abu Bakar Yusof who represented MATRADE at the award ceremony.

“The award reflects a comprehensive digitalisation initiative that MATRADE undertakes, and MIHAS is the evident. MATRADE swiftly pivoted to digital platforms to ensure business continuity amid the pandemic,” he said.

The theme for the WTPO Awards 2022 was ‘Bold Solutions for Resilience and Recovery’.

The event is held biennially and this year’s event is guided by the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. It outlines the efforts of trade and investment organisations in addressing business survival and competitiveness, and support trade-led growth while serving their communities and protecting the planet.

-- BERNAMA