Matrade-CIMB collaborate to help SMEs build export resilience

KUCHING: Under the auspices of the SMEs Sustainable Exporters Programme, launched in late 2019, Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (Matrade) and CIMB Group Holdings Bhd (CIMB) have accelerated efforts to assist small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to build export resilience and attain new growth.

In partnership with a sustainability consultancy, IMPACTO, Matrade-CIMB successfully completed the pilot orientation for the pioneer batch of 40 SMEs from the food and beverage (F&B) sector in June.

Leveraging on the potential of digital platforms, the session was conducted virtually, mainly focussing on shaping a sustainable business by managing unprecedented risks such as the Covid-19 pandemic.

The first session, delivered as a 2.5 hour webinar, equipped SMEs with insights on how risk management strategies and sustainability standards, supported by an effective business continuity plan can not only future-proof businesses, but also help save costs and improve market access and competitiveness in export markets.

“Sustainability can help SMEs meet the export requirements of other countries and successfully tap new markets,” Matrade’s Exporters Development deputy chief executive officer ( CEO) Puan Sharimahton Mat Saleh said.

“Many more developed economies as well as informed consumers prefer a product that has been produced sustainably.”

The SMEs Sustainable Exporters Programme is the realisation of Matrade’s five-year Sustainability Action Values for Exporters (SAVE) programme launched in October 2019, with the goal of building capacity in sustainability for Malaysian exporters.

Noting that businesses are worried about the cost factor for sustainability, Sharimahton revealed that they view sustainable practices as part and parcel of a business strategy.

“We hope SMEs will learn that simple sustainable actions such as reducing energy consumption and ensuring people well-being and welfare of our work force actually saves costs and enhances productivity, while opening up new business opportunities.”

Meanwhile, CIMB Islamic Bank Bhd (CIMB Islamic) CEO Ahmad Shahriman Mohd Shariff said that CIMB Islamic is delighted to have successfully executed the first webinar with Matrade for the SMEs Sustainable Exporters Programme.

“The programme is aimed at enhancing local exporters’ capabilities in Economic, Environmental and Social (EES) areas and part of CIMB’s commitment to become a pioneer and catalyst for EES practices in Asean,” Ahmad said.

“With the introduction of various sustainable solutions, SMEs are not only given access to the global market, but also incentivised for operating responsibly by integrating principles of sustainability into their daily business processes.

“Looking at the challenges faced by SMEs during this pandemic, it was quite impactful to have them on board this programme and see how crucial it is to be sustainability ready and build resilience to grow.”

The next session of the SMEs Sustainable Exporters Programme is scheduled for July 21, 2020.