Matrade sees 5pc rise in lifestyle product exports
KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysia External Trade Development Corp (Matrade) targets a five per cent increase in lifestyle product exports this year from RM39.18 billion last year.
Matrade lifestyle and life sciences section director Abu Bakar Yusof said exports of these products had been growing steadily by five to six per cent annually over the past five years.
“In the first five months of this year, we have achieved about RM15 billion worth of exports, with RM4.21 billion coming from the Asean market.
“We believe that by providing platforms for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) such as the Asean Lifestyle Week (ALW) 2018, SMEs will be more exposed to Asean and international markets and will be able to export more Malaysian-made lifestyle products,” he said at the launch of ALW’s website, here, yesterday.
Abu Bakar said exports of lifestyle products, which included textiles, apparel and accessories, as well as furniture were expected to continue rising.
He said the inaugural event, organised by Yayasan Budi Penyayang Malaysia (Penyayang) on September 8-9, here, would highlight about 150 exhibitors comprising local and Asean industry players.
The ALW 2018 has also garnered foreign interest from participants in countries such as France, India and Hong Kong.
“As a supporter to this event, Matrade will not only assist in the promotion of our SMEs’ products, but will also guide them on how to move to the next level and achieve greater success, while making Malaysia the Asean gateway or hub for buyers and sellers from across the world to congregate and do business,” he said.
Penyayang chief executive officer Datuk Leela Mohd Ali said the non-profit organisation, which had been championing Batik Malaysia art and designs for the past 15 years, hoped that more creative products could be produced by local players, and not just confined to batik apparel.
“Integrate batik with other lifestyle products, mix and match them in our packaging, accessories and others. We want to see more batik makers highlight our heritage globally,” she said.