The Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE) has been at the forefront of strengthening Malaysia’s international trade since it was established as the national trade promotion agency in 1993. The fact that Malaysia’s trade for 2022 reached RM2.8 trillion, exceeding the RM2 trillion mark for the second successive year while its exports in 2022 has already exceeded the country’s export projection of the 12th Malaysia Plan (RMK-12) for 2025, three years ahead of the target, clearly indicates that its efforts have been bearing fruit.

However, these historic highs can easily turn into fleeting moments if MATRADE doesn’t continue to address key trends that Malaysian exporters face in the international arena. Among these major trends are the challenges and opportunities emerging from the global adoption of United Nations’ Sustainability Development Goals (SDGs). This has resulted in a growing demand for green products and services as well as for suppliers who have adopted Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) standards.

Realising this, MATRADE began a two-pronged strategy which entailed not only reinforcing sustainability practices among Malaysian exporters but also leveraging on the opportunities that has started to flow globally from the emerging green economy.

Bridging Trade and Sustainability, the MATRADE Way