KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia’s international trade visibility is set to get a boost with the Malaysia External Trade Development Corp (Matrade) and Star Media Group (SMG) collaborating to amplify the nation’s trade presence on the global stage.
Through a memorandum of understanding (MOU) inked yesterday, both parties will be combining their resources and expertise to expand the media reach of trade delegates and creating greater awareness of Matrade’s success.
The MOU also establishes SMG as the official media partner for all of Matrade’s upcoming programmes and activities.
It was signed by SMG group chief executive officer Chan Seng Fatt and Matrade CEO Datuk Mohd Mustafa Abdul Aziz.
Witnessing the signing were SMG chief business officer Lydia Wang and Matrade deputy chief executive officer (export acceleration) Abu Bakar Yusof.
Overseeing the signing ceremony was Matrade chairman Datuk Seri Reezal Merican Naina Merican. Also present were Investment, Trade and Industry Ministry (Miti) secretary-general Datuk Hairil Yahri Yaacob and SMG chief content officer Datin Paduka Esther Ng.
Chan said the MOU exemplified the longstanding collaboration between both parties, while emphasising Matrade’s steadfast support of SMG initiatives aimed at promoting and acknowledging Malaysia’s trade industry accomplishments.
This includes the Star Outstanding Business Awards (SOBA) and the Export Excellence Awards (EEA), which would be marking their 15th and fifth anniversaries, respectively, this year.
As the official patron of EEA, Matrade has played an instrumental role in the development of the awards with its contribution of eminent representatives, content, and meaningful feedback over the years.
Matrade also helps to judge the awards and educates participants on the potential of the international market.
Working together: Chan (second from right) exchanging the MOU document with Mohd Mustafa Abdul Aziz (second from left). Witnessing the ceremony were (from left) Abu Bakar, Hairil Yahri, Reezal Merican and Wang.
“These initiatives underscore the collaborative efforts to elevate and recognise achievements within Malaysia’s trade sector,” Chan told a press conference here yesterday.
Describing the MOU as a natural progression, he said the collaboration will further enhance ties between both entities.
“This collaboration signifies a pivotal moment for mutual growth and success, allowing us to strategically elevate the profiles of trade delegates and amplify media awareness surrounding Matrade’s accomplishments,” he said.
He also highlighted SMG’s media reach, adding that it had an audience of about 24 million people across the digital, print and radio platforms, among others.
“This provides a very good and stable platform to reach out to a wider audience, not forgetting that there are quite a number of foreign readers.
“We can definitely enhance the media value and exposure for delegates,” he said.
Reezal Merican said the collaboration was a historic moment for Matrade and SMG.
“It will foster a new paradigm for the export market, as we know The Star has always offered trustable and credible news reporting for most of the nation.
“This cooperation will greatly aid our initiatives and programmes,” he added.
He also highlighted how both SMG and Matrade had collaborated previously, and how this was the first time a formal agreement had been inked.
“The magnitude and areas of collaboration (through the MOU) have been widened to make both entities’ presence more meaningful,” said Reezal Merican.
Mohd Mustafa said the MOU was a means to formalise collaboration between both parties.
“There are many areas of interest to both parties. We look forward to very fruitful results,” he said.
With SMG as Matrade’s official media partner, the collaboration encompasses a diverse range of initiatives, such as mission trips, trade fairs and large-scale projects.
From export acceleration missions in Asia and Africa to trade exhibitions in Europe and the Middle East, Matrade’s global outreach and strategic trade initiatives will continue to expand in 2024 with a diverse array of mission trips and trade fairs slated for various countries.
For large-scale ventures, the inaugural Malaysia International Halal Showcase (Mihas) trade exhibition in Dubai is set to happen within the Middle East Organic and Natural Product Expo from Nov 18-20 this year.
With a targeted sales goal of RM1bil, this event underscores Matrade’s commitment to the halal industry’s global prominence.
Additionally, Mihas Kuala Lumpur, the 21st China-Asean Expo and the Malaysia-China Summit also mark crucial milestones for Matrade’s and SMG’s collaborative efforts, cementing the dedication of both organisations to enhancing trade relations and fostering strategic alliances.
Further information on Matrade’s upcoming events and trade opportunities can be found at matrade.gov.my.
