MATRADE ready to help flood-affected companies

Chief executive officer Mohd Mustafa Abdul Aziz said at the moment, the agency has yet to receive information on the affected companies.

"The government is still assessing the severity of the situation. Fortunately, the rain stopped on Saturday (Dec 18), or else the situation might have worsened.

"MATRADE will be there to assist companies affected by the floods.

"Please reach out to us so we can take necessary actions," he said in a press conference after the Mid-tier Companies CEO Summit 2021, themed "Charting the Course for Export Growth", today.

To a question on the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), he said MATRADE would collaborate with trade associations to identify companies that are capable to penetrate the global market.

"The RCEP gives market access and provides a wider market for us to reach to more customers and industries (to expand), but we need to find the right people (SMEs and MTCs) to compete," he noted.

He emphasised that Malaysia's involvement in RCEP is for the long term, hence, MATRADE would take a granular effort to find companies that have the capacity to improve and compete with competitors in bigger markets.

MATRADE has groomed 275 MTCs ranging from Wave 1 to Wave 7 since its inception in 2014, as global champions.

These companies were from multiple sectors such as electrical and electronics, automotive parts and components, plastics, franchise, oil and gas, processed food, and information, communications and technology (ICT).

"MTCs exports' revenue had reached RM15.4 billion in 2020, an increase of nearly 4 per cent compared to the previous year," he said.

Under the 12th Malaysia Plan (12MP), MATRADE has set a target to record another RM5 billion cumulative increase in exports.

"It may seem ambitious, but it is possible if we continue to work hand in hand and support each other," Mohd Mustafa added.