Reezal Merican appointed as new Matrade chairman

• The appointment is effective immediately
• He previously held leadership positions at three ministries

Former minister Reezal Merican Naina Merican (pix) has been appointed as the ninth Chairman of the Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE) effective immediately.

Reezal Merican once served as the Minister of Housing & Local Government (2021-2022), Minister of Youth and Sports (2020-2021), and Deputy Foreign Minister (2015-2018). Additionally, he chaired Amanah Raya Bhd from 2013 to 2015.

In a statement, Matrade expressed confidence that his appointment will contribute to the growth and diversification of Malaysia's exports in new and existing global markets.

Reezal said, “I am honoured to be given the opportunity to serve as the Chairman of Matrade , with this role, combined with YB Minister of MITI’s leadership, we can better propel Malaysia's trade and export performance to remain excellent and achieve stronger growth.”

Matrade is an agency under MITI and is mandated to execute trade promotion initiatives for the country. Established in 1993 after the enactment of the Matrade Act 1992, it executes two core activities of Exporters Development and Export Promotion. 

Currently, it has six regional offices around Malaysia and 46 global offices ever-ready to assist Malaysian companies through exporters capacity building programmes, trade advisory and financial facilitation, business matching, market intelligence and market access, project negotiations and e-commerce.