MATRADE Leadership Drives Export Acceleration, Strengthens Trade Resilience
KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 8 (Bernama) -- The executive leadership of the Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE) remains committed to driving export acceleration and strengthening the resilience of Malaysia’s international trade sector via market-driven strategies and proactive trade facilitation.
MATRADE said the approach aims to ensure Malaysian enterprises, particularly micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), can sustainably penetrate global markets amid evolving economic conditions.
“For the first seven months of 2026, Malaysia recorded remarkable trade performance, with total trade reaching RM2.16 trillion (+24.7 per cent year-on-year).
“Exports surged by 29.2 per cent to RM1.165 trillion, surpassing the RM1 trillion mark a month earlier than in 2025,” it said in a statement.
It said the trade surplus more than doubled to RM170.50 billion, extending Malaysia’s consecutive monthly trade surplus streak to 75 months since May 2020.
MATRADE said export momentum was driven by the electrical and electronics (E&E) sector, which accounted for RM563.65 billion, or 48.4 per cent of total exports, supported by robust global demand for semiconductors, artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure and data centres.
“Key markets including ASEAN (RM315.67 billion, +20.3 per cent), the United States (RM206.59 billion, +58.3 per cent), China (RM127.87 billion, +24.3 per cent), the European Union (RM90.73 billion, +29.8 per cent), and Taiwan (RM80.81 billion, +71.4 per cent) remained fundamental pillars of Malaysia’s trade expansion,” it said.
MATRADE chairman Datuk Seri Reezal Merican Naina Merican said the agency’s leadership is committed to converting market opportunities into measurable commercial outcomes for local exporters while ensuring its core mandates deliver tangible market access.
“The success of our recent Export Acceleration Mission (EAM) to Cambodia, which achieved RM186 million in sales against an RM100 million key performance indicator (KPI), proves that targeted strategies, precise market intelligence, and sustained support build true resilience for our exporters internationally,” he said.
The EAM, held from Aug 18 to 21, involved 26 Malaysian enterprises from the food and beverage, fast-moving consumer goods, automotive components, and lifestyle sectors, MATRADE said.
It said the initiative facilitated 260 business-to-business (B2B) matchmaking sessions and secured 130 trade inquiries, while also establishing a digital presence by launching the Malaysia Pavilion and Halal Corner on Cambodia’s BallangKmall.com.
Meanwhile, MATRADE welcomed Federation of Malaysian Manufacturers (FMM) president Jacob Lee Chor Kok as its newest board member.
It said his manufacturing experience is expected to strengthen public-private collaboration and help MSMEs navigate technical barriers, meet international standards and leverage free trade agreements (FTAs).
“Looking ahead, MATRADE is advancing market entry tools through the Malaysia-China Gateway Initiative (MCGi) and finalising preparations for the Malaysia International Halal Showcase (MIHAS) 2026 (Sept 23-26) that will serve as a premier platform to accelerate MSME internationalisation,” the agency said.
-- BERNAMA