MATRADE PAVES WAY FOR COMPANIES TO EXPAND EXPORTS INTO SAUDI ARABIA, UAE

KUALA LUMPUR, May 11 -- The Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE) has paved the way for Malaysian companies to expand exports into Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) through collaborations with major retailers and healthcare providers.

In a statement today, MATRADE said Senior Minister cum International Trade and Industry (MITI) Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali had recently led a recent trade and investment mission to enhance Malaysia’s bilateral cooperation with Saudi Arabia and the UAE in a more comprehensive and strategic direction. 

MATRADE said the mission from April 26 to May 4, 2021 was also aimed at rebuilding confidence in the business community by demonstrating the government’s commitment and pro-business temperament in the face of the challenging times.

bootstrap slideshow

"It is also a follow up to the official visit of Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin to both countries in March this year.

“Considering the importance of bilateral trade with both countries, MATRADE had arranged a series of business meetings with prominent Saudi and UAE companies during the mission," it said. 

Among the focus sectors were healthcare, facility management, medical devices, furniture, palm oil, fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG), and lifestyle products.

MATRADE said it would be organising a special programme for Savola Group, one of Saudi Arabia’s major importers of Malaysia's palm oil, which is committed to increasing its sourcing of the commodity from Malaysia.

The Savola Group plans to make the kingdom its distribution hub for other parts of the Gulf Cooperation Council, Middle East and North Africa (MENA) markets, it said.

To further facilitate the strong interest shown by Savola Group, MATRADE had extended an invitation to the company to visit Malaysia, particularly during the Malaysia International Halal Showcase from Sept 9-12, 2021.

Through the mission, MATRADE said the Makkah Healthcare Cluster (MHC) is also exploring the possibilities of working closely with Malaysian healthcare providers or hospital operators to jointly develop the Makkah Healthcare Cardiac Institute, Makkah Healthcare Oncology Institute, and a nursing school in Makkah. 

The MHC administers a medical city, nine public hospitals and 82 public health centres in the holy city.

According to MATRADE, the MHC is planning to work with Malaysian suppliers of medical products and services for its facilities. 

During the mission to Saudi Arabia, Mohamed Azmin witnessed the signing of a Memorandum of Business Exploration (MOBE) between UEM Edgenta Bhd and ASMA Advanced Solutions LLC, a Saudi company specialising in water systems management.

The MOBE indicates UEM’s intention to seriously position itself to capture the healthcare support services and integrated facility management markets in the kingdom. 

Meanwhile, in the UAE, MATRADE said through meetings with retail conglomerates, Landmark Group and Lulu Group, both companies expressed their commitment to increasing their sourcing and broadening the range of products from Malaysia. 

Both companies are also planning to use Malaysia as their sourcing and distribution hub in ASEAN, MITI said. 

MATRADE said it would organise specialised sourcing programmes for companies targeting dedicated sectors, such as lifestyle, premium quality furniture and high-tech household products and appliances, and FMCG.

-- BERNAMA