KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 26 (Bernama) -- Malaysia's trade, exports, imports and trade surplus in 2022 maintained its stellar performance despite the challenging global environment. This showed that the Malaysian business community remained resilient following robust global demand and high commodity prices, said MATRADE Chief Executive Officer (CEO) YBhg. Datuk Mohd Mustafa Abdul Aziz.
 
Last year, Malaysia’s trade reached 2.8 trillion ringgit, crossing the 2 trillion ringgit mark for the second successive year. Export performance was remarkable, expanding by 25 per cent, to 1.6 trillion ringgit, surpassing 1.5 trillion ringgit mark for the first time.

“I am glad to share that our exports also exceeded the projection in the Twelfth Malaysia Plan for 2025, three years ahead of the target. Imports, meanwhile, breached the 1 trillion-ringgit mark for the first time, reaching nearly 1.3 trillion ringgit in 2022,” said YBhg. Datuk Mohd Mustafa Abdul Aziz.
 
YBhg. Datuk Mohd Mustafa Abdul Aziz added that as a prominent global trading nation, Malaysia exports high value and competitive range of products to over 200 international markets. This affirms Malaysia’s position as a reliable trading partner, accessing new and emerging markets through various trade agreements at the regional and bilateral levels. In 2022, Malaysia’s top 10 export destinations contributed 87.7 per cent share of total exports.
 
“Leveraging on the outstanding trade performance, MATRADE as the national trade promotion agency, shall strive further to nurture and grow more Malaysian entrepreneurs to venture into exports. MATRADE has been the main focal point in facilitating Malaysian exporters, ministries, agencies, chambers and associations by connecting them with foreign buyers,” said YBhg. Datuk Mohd Mustafa Abdul Aziz.
  
MATRADE’s commitment in enhancing Malaysia’s exports will continue under the three main export agendas namely digitalisation, sustainability and the National Trade Blueprint (NTBp), YBhg. Datuk Mohd Mustafa Abdul Aziz added.
 
Under the digitalisation initiative, MATRADE has adopted various approaches to ensure business continuity by enhancing export knowledge through the sharing of market intelligence and insights, business matching activities, trade facilitation and export promotion. For instance, exporters registered with MATRADE have access to real-time information shared by its 46 global offices through the MyExport portal.
 
MATRADE achieved another milestone in its digitalisation agenda, as 17th edition of MIHAS in 2021 received international recognition by the World Trade Promotion Organization (WTPO) Award under the “Best Use of Information Technology” category.
 
“This year, MIHAS 2023 will be held from 12 to 15 September at the Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre (MITEC), Kuala Lumpur, and I am optimistic that this exhibition will continue to be a premier international Halal trade event, linking global buyers with Malaysian exporters,” said YBhg. Datuk Mohd Mustafa Abdul Aziz.
 
In meeting growing demands for environmental, social and governance (ESG) compliant products in markets such as USA, EU and Japan, MATRADE has embarked on a myriad of programmes in encouraging exporters to embrace sustainability policies and practices in their businesses amid rapidly evolving global trade environment.
 
Complementing the digitalisation and sustainability agenda, the implementation of the NTBp will help to increase Malaysia’s trade competitiveness and address various export concerns through a collaborative ecosystem from both the public and private sectors.
 
These three big agendas will strengthen the resilience of Malaysian exporters and prepare them to face new challenges in the changing international trade landscape.
 
For 2023, MATRADE devised a number of high-value export programmes to support Malaysia’s exporting community including industries like electrical & electronic, machinery & equipment, aerospace, food & beverages, medical & pharmaceuticals, building materials, oil & gas as well as services such as ICT and ship building, to name a few.
 
“I am confident that MATRADE’s active export promotion efforts will continue to attract more demand for Malaysian products and services globally. This year, in 2023, we look forward to effectively collaborate with industries, export business communities and other stakeholders towards achieving another year of remarkable trade performance for Malaysia,” said YBhg. Datuk Mohd Mustafa Abdul Aziz.
 
“Let’s make Malaysia great in trade together,” added YBhg. Datuk Mohd Mustafa Abdul Aziz. 

Issued by Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE) 

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About MATRADE
The Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE) was established on March 1, 1993 as the external trade promotion arm of Malaysia's Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI). It has 46 overseas network and 5 Malaysia’s regional offices that support its HQ, located at Menara MATRADE, Jalan Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah, Kuala Lumpur.  Its functions are:
• To promote, assist and develop Malaysia's external trade with particular emphasis on the export of manufactured and semi-manufactured products and services;
• To formulate and implement export marketing strategies and trade promotion activities to promote Malaysia's export;
• To undertake commercial intelligence and market research and create a comprehensive database of information for the improvement and development of Malaysia's trade;
• To organise training programmes to improve the international marketing skills of Malaysian exporters;
• To enhance and protect Malaysia's international trade investment abroad; and
• To promote, facilitate and assist in the services areas related to trade.


SOURCE : Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE)

FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:
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Corporate Communications Unit
Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE)
Tel : 03-6207 7077 ext 7609 / +6019-879 4843
Email : communication@matrade.gov.my
 
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