JK-Eksport to streamline govt’s export promotion activities
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation ( Matrade) has announced the inception of Export Promotion Programmes Coordination Committee (JKEksport) to streamline all export promotional activities of ministries and government agencies.
According to the corporation, the committee to be coordinated by the Ministry of International Trade and Industry via Matrade, aims to create a better synergy between the relevant ministries and government agencies as part of the efforts to optimise the impact of export promotional initiatives for the country.
The first JK-Eksport meeting yesterday was chaired by Chief Secretary to the Government Datuk Seri Ismail Bakar at Menara Matrade, and was attended by representatives of 23 ministries and 16 agencies that include the Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Education, Malaysian Green Technology Corporation, Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation and the Construction Industry Development Board.
The establishment of the committee was prompted by the needtohaveamorestreamlinedand coordinated efforts in promoting exports, said Matrade.
“This is pivotal in ensuring the optimal use of resources, including budget and assistance by the Malaysian government’s overseas offices.”
The committee’s role would be to review and approve all export promotional programmes and proposals from ministries and agencies. The approval would be granted based on products or services relevance to target markets, programme relevance to domestic capabilities, as well as budget optimisation for better returns on investment.
Additionally, the committee would be a platform for datagathering and informationsharing, particularly on market intelligence. This would help generate ideas and foster greater synergy among ministries and agencies.
According to Matrade chief executive officer Dato’ Wan Latiff Wan Musa, although Matrade is the national trade promotion organisation, there are other ministries and agencies that are either actively promoting Malaysian products and services abroad, or have the capacity and resources to support this effort.
“In order to ensure that there is no duplication of efforts, we will coordinate all export promotional efforts more efficiently so that there will be no wastage of resources. A central coordination committee such as JK-Eksport is highly needed to oversee all programmes implementation,” he said.
The JK-Eksport convenes two times a year.
The second meeting this year is tentatively scheduled for either July or August.