Kuala Lumpur:The Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE) is forecasting a significant increase in the nation's trade surplus this year, predicting growth of at least 15 to 20 percent over last year's RM156.83 billion, as stated by its chief executive officer, Datuk Indera Abu Bakar Yusof.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, this anticipated growth is attributed to higher exports, expansion into international markets, and increased involvement by micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs). MATRADE is putting special emphasis on enhancing local businesses' contributions to exports, particularly from MSMEs.

MATRADE Academy, a collaborative initiative between MATRADE and various sectors, aims to strengthen the export capabilities of MSMEs. The academy offers 16 capacity-building modules to prepare MSMEs that have not yet ventured into exports and to help existing exporters widen their market reach.

Abu Bakar highlighted that MATRADE's efforts to boost local companies' export activities are part of a broader strategy to enhance their role in the national trade surplus. The academy will also facilitate companies' participation in overseas promotional activities to establish business networks and showcase their products.

Currently, MSMEs contribute 39.7 percent to Malaysia's GDP but only 14.7 percent to exports. With nearly 11,300 members in the Malaysia Exporters Registry, about 4,200 of which are MSMEs already exporting, there is potential for significant improvement in international trade.

MATRADE, in collaboration with FedEx Malaysia, signed a memorandum of understanding to bolster support for exporters, specifically in international logistics. Abu Bakar emphasized the importance of such collaborations, which leverage expertise from various fields to add value to Malaysian companies.