SHAH ALAM, Sept 4 — Holding the Selangor Export Day 2024 is expected to produce more quality entrepreneurs and further strengthen Selangor's position as one of the main contributors to the country's exports.
Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (Matrade) board member Datuk Hazimah Zainuddin said Selangor is an important state because it is the largest contributor to the total trade in Malaysia in 2023 with a value of RM491.86 billion or 29.8 per cent of the total amount of RM1.652 trillion.
It also emerged as the third largest state in terms of exports worth RM332.79 billion or 23.3 per cent last year.
"The persistent efforts of the state Economic Planning Unit (EPU) and the cooperation of the state government saw Selangor remain Malaysia's third leading exporting state for the period from January to July this year with a value of RM203.66 billion," she said during the opening of Selangor Export Day 2024 at the Shah Alam Convention Centre today.
Lasting for two days, the Selangor Export Day, organised together by Matrade, Selangor EPU, and the Selangor State Development Corporation, was officiated by state executive councillor for youth, sports, and entrepreneurship Mohd Najwan Halimi.
Hazimah said organising Selangor Export Day 2024 is expected to increase trade in the state as well as create more companies in the export business.
As of July 31, there were 13,454 local companies registered with Matrade, of which 6,162 or 46 per cent were companies from Selangor with 97 per cent being micro, small, and medium enterprises.
As many as 1,123 Selangor companies have benefitted from the special exporter development and trade facilitation programme provided by Matrade since January 2023 until now.
"Grants amounting to RM374.10 million have been channelled to the companies involved and these companies have successfully generated export sales of RM14.48 billion," she said.
Hazimah called on more companies with potential in Selangor to register with Matrade and enjoy privileges, including trade advisory services, access to market intelligence and trade information, exposure to development programmes including training and workshops on exports, as well as the opportunity to participate in promotional activities organised by the corporation.
Meanwhile, Najwan said the Selangor Export Day is the best platform to develop more exporters among entrepreneurs from the state which can be a catalyst for strengthening Selangor in terms of contribution to the national economic cycle.
The 246 participants who participated in the programme should take full advantage of the platform to explore and learn new knowledge about methods and prospects for exporting trade products in addition to building a network with fellow entrepreneurs and Matrade staff who are known to be knowledgeable in matters of trade and export.
"Use this opportunity to expand business and equip yourselves with comprehensive entrepreneurial knowledge through various programmes and modules provided especially in adapting new techniques to face the challenges of the digital economy era," he said.
— Bernama
