In the words of Dr. Wong Lai Sum, “Malaysia has something valuable to offer everyone.” As CEO of
Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (
Matrade), Dr. Wong is an expert on what her country produces and exports, and is proud of how Malaysia has pushed its industries up the value chain, introducing higher levels of innovation, technology and expertise.
With the government’s recent announcement of its intention to double exports and trade by 2015, Matrade will certainly have its hands full.
Established in 1993, the corporation promotes Malaysia’s external trade with a particular emphasis on manufactured and semi-manufactured products and services. As such, it is in close contact with the country’s five economic corridors, serving as a link for local producers (most of whom are small and medium enterprises, or SMEs) with foreign suppliers and importers.
“For example, we help source inputs for their respective industries so that they can produce in a more cost-effective manner,” explains Dr. Wong. “We have the database, the sources, and we know the companies, but our major role is to help local companies export.”
In order to reach out to more businesses, Matrade runs “trade clinics” in all five corridors. In these clinics, which the CEO describes as having a personal touch, Matrade meets and mingles with the trading community and provides information on its services. To get the word out overseas, Matrade works with industry associations, such as chambers of commerce, advising them on how to benefit from free trade agreements, how to expedite trade flows, and connecting them with Malaysian firms and manufacturers that meet their precise needs.
In keeping with Malaysia’s progress and modernity, Dr. Wong says that Matrade runs e-commerce seminars to teach companies how to connect using the Internet. “We encourage SMEs to provide links for e-transactions so that orders can be made online and more quickly,” she explains.
For more information on Matrade and its services, visit:
Matrade
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