The Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE) has been shortlisted for the World TradePromotion Organisation (WTPO) Awards 2022 by the Geneva-based International Trade Centre (ITC), a joint agency of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) and the United Nations.
MATRADE is among the four finalists nominated under the ‘Best Use of Information Technology’ category for its initiative in organising a virtual edition of the 17th Malaysia International Halal Showcase (MIHAS) in 2021. Other trade promotion organisations (TPO) nominated under the same category are from Austria, Canada and the United Republic of Tanzania.
MATRADE’s Chief Executive Officer, Mohd Mustafa Abdul Aziz said, “Since the start of the pandemic, MATRADE has taken the initiative to accelerate its digitalisation agenda in export promotion and development by leveraging on various online platforms. Thus, MIHAS 2021 is a proven testament of MATRADE’s success in assisting Malaysian companies in export through digitalisation”.
“By being nominated for one of the WTPO Award’s categories, MATRADE is recognised for its capability in bolstering Malaysia’s trade competitiveness globally. We are proud of this achievement thus far, and we hope for a positive outcome”.
“The pandemic has moved digitalisation on an overdrive across the world. MIHAS 2021 – MATRADE’s iconic trade event was successfully conducted in a fully virtual format for the first time from 9 September until 31 December 2021”, Mustafa added.
“The event had generated a record-breaking RM2.13 billion in export sales from its virtual exhibition and online business meeting components with the participation of local and international businesses”.
In addition to the ‘Best Use of Information Technology’ category, two other categories namely the ‘Best Use of a Partnership’ and ‘Best Initiative to Ensure that Trade is Inclusive and Sustainable’ are also being vied by other TPOs. Hence, the winners for each category will be announced at the Awards Ceremony in Accra, Ghana, on 17 May 2022.
As part of the Award Ceremony programme, MATRADE’s Deputy Chief Executive Officer (Exporters Development), Abu Bakar Yusof, will be representing MATRADE to deliver a presentation on the ‘Relevance of Sustainability to International Trade: The Journey Forward’.
The theme for the WTPO Awards 2022 is ‘Bold Solutions for Resilience and Recovery’. The event is held biennially and according to the organiser, this year’s event is guided by the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. It outlines the efforts of trade and investment organisations in addressing business survival and competitiveness, and support trade-led growth while serving their communities and protecting the planet.
