Matrade gives over RM2b to S’wak entrepreneurs

(Bernama) – The Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (Matrade) has disbursed RM2.78 billion between 2002 and January 4, 2016 in market development grants to 92 entrepreneurs in Sarawak to assist them expand their business abroad.

Matrade Sarawak Director Leany Mokhtar said that beginning January, 318 companies from various sectors have registered with Matrade.

Though satisfied with the entrepreneurs’ performance so far, she said that there was still room for improvement.

“That’s why Matrade is still going to small towns and the state’s interior areas to convince entrepreneurs to bring their products, which have business potential, to public light,” she told a press conference here today on the agency’s 2016 work programme.

Elaborating further, Leany said those registered with Matrade in Kuching should avail themselves of the vast opportunities and be more proactive in promoting their products.

“Matrade has assisted many companies in Sarawak and its success stories include Amalgamated Batteries Manufacturing (Sarawak) Sdn Bhd, which managed to enter the Middle East with exports of RM58 million, while East Asia Palm Products managed to export RM50 million of its products overseas,” she added,

Earlier, Leany said Matrade would participate in 150 programmes this year and hoped those registered with the agency would be proactive in exploring overseas markets for their products.