Kuala lumpur: A total of RM39.5 billion in annual sales was recorded in 2024, marking a 20% increase compared to 2023, through the alumni of the Mid-Tier Companies Development Programme (MTCDP), announced Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz. Nearly 60% of this amount came from exports.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, this milestone has also contributed to Malaysia’s position as the 24th largest trading nation globally. Tengku Zafrul, speaking at the 2025 Mid-Tier Companies Chief Executive Officers Summit, highlighted that since its establishment in 2014, 394 companies have benefited from the MTCDP. By 2024, MTCDP’s alumni had penetrated 115 new international markets, representing a 49% year-on-year increase.

MTCs have expanded their reach beyond ASEAN and Asia, now entering markets in the Middle East, Africa, and Europe, including Qatar, Gabon, Nigeria, Romania, and Italy. Additionally, 6,408 new job opportunities were created in 2024, a 20% increase from 2023, with 68.5% being highly skilled positions.

Furthermore, more than 11,000 micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) have been integrated into the MTC export supply chain, showing a 10% year-on-year increase. Tengku Zafrul emphasized that sustainability practices, branding, and digitalization adaptation have strengthened MTC’s international market position.

In a challenging global economic landscape, Tengku Zafrul highlighted that the nation’s resilience depends on the MTC ecosystem, which, despite representing only about 1% of registered companies, contributed 40% to the GDP in 2023.

MATRADE chief executive officer Datuk Seri Mohd Mustafa Abdul Aziz stated that since its inception, MTCDP has empowered Malaysian companies to expand significantly. Malaysian MTCs have reinforced their presence across ASEAN and expanded into new markets, from South Asia to Latin America, enhancing their global branding and visibility.

This advancement reflects a growing global trust in Malaysian quality, innovation, and resilience. The summit, themed ‘Forging ASEAN’s Next Chapter: Malaysian Mid-Tier Companies Driving Resilient and Inclusive Growth,’ brought together over 300 CEOs from the MTCDP alumni network and key industry stakeholders to enhance connectivity, competitiveness, and collaboration within the regional business ecosystem.