IPOH, June 11 (Bernama) -- The exporter development and trade facilitation programmes provided by Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE) have benefited 150 companies in Perak from 2024 to May this year.
MATRADE chairman Datuk Seri Reezal Merican Naina Merican said that grants totalling RM1.76 million had been allocated to companies in Perak, enabling these businesses to generate RM124.62 million in export sales.
He stated that as of May 31 this year, 13,535 companies nationwide have registered with MATRADE, with 595, or four per cent of that number, being companies from Perak.
“Congratulations to these companies in Perak. I hope even more will participate in various MATRADE programs in the future,” he said in his speech at the closing ceremony of Perak Export Day 2025, officiated by Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad here today.
Also present was MATRADE chief executive officer Datuk Mohd Mustafa Abdul Aziz.
Meanwhile, Reezal Merican highlighted that nearly 600 companies in Perak had registered with MATRADE as of May this year and encouraged more companies to register with the trade promotion agency to access export guidance opportunities.
“From 2024 until May 2025, MATRADE has conducted over 50 advisory and exporter training programmes, as well as export facilitation activities involving 782 companies from Perak, which successfully achieved export sales totalling RM1.90 billion.
“Additionally, 118 companies from Perak have participated in export promotion programmes organised by MATRADE domestically and internationally, generating export sales of RM1.65 billion,” he said.
Reezal Merican stated that statistics from the Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM) showed that Perak recorded exports valued at RM8.76 billion last year, representing a 48.8 per cent increase compared to 2023.
He said this impressive growth demonstrates the significant export potential at the state level, which needs to be progressively mobilised.
The two-day Perak Export Day 2025 event, which began yesterday, was organised by MATRADE in collaboration with the Perak State Entrepreneur Secretariat (STeP), with approximately 150 local entrepreneurs participating.
The event was held to support the state government’s agenda to increase the number of exporters among micro, small, and medium enterprises, as well as to raise awareness about export opportunities.
One of the main objectives is to introduce various initiatives and assistance provided by the government and the private sector within the national export ecosystem while encouraging local companies to sustainably explore international markets and remain competitive.
-- BERNAMA
