Illustrative photo (Source:Internet)Kuala Lumpur (VNA) – Promotion programmes of the Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE) in 2016 are aimed at helping the country’s exporters to take advantages of the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC), which will officially start on December 31.
The remark was made by MATRADE’s CEO Dzulkifly Mahmud during a press conference held on December 7 to introduce the agency’s Work Programme 2016.
Dzulkifly Mahmud said the AEC will open up more opportunities for local businesses and Malaysia could further diversify export markets, focusing on strengthening the ability of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
In the Work Programme 2016, MATRADE will involve in 150 promotion programmes, of which 85 are for trade promotion and 65 for export development.
Nearly 60 percent of the programmes will be implemented in Asia, particularly in ASEAN. The remainder will be in Europe (13 percent), the Middle East (13 percent), America (4.7 percent) and Africa (3.5 percent).
To enhance better market penetration in ASEAN countries, MATRADE will launch its 'Border Trade' initiative, scheduled for the second quarter 2016 in the state of Kelantan.
According to the Malaysia’s Second International Trade and Industry Minister Ong Ka Chuan, the development of the AEC will shape a new economic scenario for the country in 2016.-VNA
