July-August 2022 |
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@ HalalXtra |
BROUGHT TO YOU BY |
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BY AYU MUSA KAMAL
THE year was 2021 , and the world stood still . Braving the Covid-19 pandemic was not an easy feat . While many suffered huge losses during those unprecedented times , some bounced back stronger . The Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation ( MATRADE ) is one of those organisations that weathered the storm and can claim success during the raging pandemic . Equipped with sheer determination and grit to attempt something new and with faith in its strength , MATRADE has weaved its own success story .
Its Chief Executive Officer Datuk Mohd Mustafa Abdul Aziz took the helm in 2020 , right before the pandemic struck . But he is proud that MATRADE handled the situation well
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despite the scepticism it faced when adopting new ways of handling trade during the worldwide lockdown .
His success in driving MATRADE was evident with the enormous success of the Malaysia International Halal Showcase ( MIHAS ) 2021 , which was conducted in a virtual format from Sept 9 till Dec 31 , 2021 .
The showcase was so successful it earned MATRADE the “ Best Use of Information Technology ” award at the 13th WTPO Conference and Awards organised by the International Trade Centre ( ITC ) on May 17 , 2022 , beating other heavyweight contenders like Canada and Austria .
“ Initially , it was a tough decision that MATRADE had to make , and at one point , I was quite sceptical about the idea of having a virtual showcase . It was something new to us ,” said Mohd Mustafa .
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“ I say this to all my team members , rain or shine , the show must go on . That should be the spirit . I always believe there isn ’ t a problem that can ’ t be solved . And of course , we will continue to assist the SMEs in exploring the international market and making inroads into all these markets . And we believe with the presence of our 46 offices abroad , we will be able to do that . And of course , with the support of all the trade industry associations , I believe we will be able to do so based on the conversation I ’ ve had with them .”
— Datuk Mohd Mustafa
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“ But at that time , I also believed that nothing could stop us from connecting our sellers with foreign buyers . I thought , why not give it a shot ? Let ’ s do it 100 per cent virtual .
“ We fully understood the pandemic ’ s magnitude on global trade , and we weren ’ t going to allow it to stop us from moving forward .”
MATRADE got 549 exhibitors for the exhibition . What was surprising is that 305 of the 549 exhibitors were foreign .
“ The outcome was unbelievable . While the exhibition was done virtually , we also conducted our International Sourcing Programme ( INSP ), where we had a special programme connecting our buyers and sellers through an online business matching .
“ The outcome of these two events , which were conducted virtually , was unbelievable when we recorded sales
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