Matrade continues to aid micro SMEs on digitalisation journey

• Programme aims to support MSMEs to become export champions
• Recorded exports’ revenue of US$3.6 billion, an increase of 3.6% in 2020

Matrade continues its agenda to empower Malaysian micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) towards digitalisation by  reinforcing their competitiveness as export champions.

In a statement, the state-owned agency said a benchmarking element has been incorporated in the existing customised exporters development programme, where an exclusive coaching session is spearheaded by the previous participants of Mid-Tier Companies Development Programme (MTCDP).

Matrade deputy chief executive officer, Abu Bakar Yusof, said the benchmarking programme is an interactive platform on sharing knowledge between mid-tier companies (MTC) and MSMEs. 

“The programme will not only serve as guidance for the enterprises to enhance their global competitiveness, but also to pave the way for closer relations between MSMEs and MTCs,” he said.

He said the programme aims at guiding the MSMEs on the best practices and efficient methods to adopt digitalisation in their business processes, so that they will be ready to tap into the global supply chain and strengthen their global footprints.

The value-added feature on exporters development is a journey to groom more export champions in the near future, Matrade said.

Since the beginning of Covid-19 pandemic, digitalisation has become one of the important elements in global competitiveness for the MSMEs and MTCs, the agency said.

The Ministry of International Trade and Industry through its implementing agency Matrade has come out with numerous initiatives to ensure business continuity for Malaysian companies and exporters, it said.

These include virtual business meetings or known as eBizMatch, virtual national export day, virtual MIHAS exhibition, virtual export acceleration and market immersion missions as well as the iconic cross border e-commerce, eTrade Programme, it added.

In 2020, under the MTCDP, a tailored digital marketing module for MTCs was introduced.

This pilot project was aimed at supporting MTCs’ transformation in embracing digitalisation and provide relevant information in structuring and implementing effective online marketing campaigns, Matrade said.

Ten selected MTCs were involved in a series of customised training and to date, they have successfully launched their digital marketing campaigns via e-commerce platforms in Indonesia, Thailand and Australia, it said.

“This is in line with the MyDigital initiative under the Malaysia Digital Economy Blueprint that complements the national development policies such as the 12th Malaysia Plan and the Vision for Share Prosperity 2030,” said Abu Bakar.

To date, the agency has successfully groomed 275 MTCs through MTCDP since the programme started in 2014 and is one of the government’s high impact initiatives in the Malaysia’s Development Plan, Matrade said.

In 2020, companies under MTCDP reported exports’ revenue of US$3.6 billion (RM15.38 billion), an increase of 3.6% compared with the year before.

The MTCDP targets export-oriented MTCs with annual revenues between US$12 million (RM50 million) to US$120 million (RM500 million) for manufacturing companies and US$4.8 million (RM20 million) to US$120 million (RM500 million) for services companies. 

Interested companies are encouraged to contact Matrade for more details.