Kuala Lumpur:Women-led enterprises reached an impressive RM229 million in potential export sales during the Women in Export (WiEX) Pavilion at MIHAS 2026. This achievement was facilitated through pre-arranged business-matching sessions and a four-day exhibition.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, the Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE) reported that 215 business-to-business meetings connected local women entrepreneurs with international buyers and distributors from countries including Egypt, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, China, Hong Kong, Thailand, Indonesia, and Myanmar.
Women-owned companies from Selangor, Kedah, Kuala Lumpur, Perak, and Penang led the sales, generating a combined value of RM129.84 million. Their products included confectionery, snacks, coffee, tea, cocoa, and sportswear.
In conjunction with MIHAS 2026, the WiEX initiative highlighted a strategic Whole-of-Government approach to integrating women-led businesses into high-value global supply chains. MATRADE organized the event with support from the Pertubuhan Hal Ehwal Wanita dan Keluarga Malaysia (HAWA Malaysia) and collaborated with several government ministries and developmental agencies.
The involved agencies included the Ministry of Rural and Regional Development (KKDW), Majlis Amanah Rakyat (MARA), SME Corp Malaysia, the Northern Corridor Economic Region (NCER), Wanita Berdaya Selangor, and UDA Holdings Bhd. This inter-agency ecosystem aims to provide an inclusive and seamless transition for women entrepreneurs from domestic capacity-building to international market access.
MATRADE chairman, Datuk Seri Reezal Merican Naina Merican, speaking at the WiEX Forum, highlighted the essential role of women entrepreneurs in Malaysia's economy. He noted that the Department of Statistics Malaysia's Economic Census 2023 showed women own 20.1 percent of Malaysian businesses, producing RM136.9 billion in output and employing nearly a million people.
Despite these achievements, Reezal Merican pointed out the need for improved export readiness. He emphasized MATRADE's continued commitment to the WiEX initiative alongside HAWA Malaysia, led by Tan Sri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil. WiEX is now integral to MIHAS 2026, offering a comprehensive ecosystem for capacity building, market access, and recognition to aid women entrepreneurs in capturing global opportunities.
MATRADE also stated that it will maintain efforts with HAWA Malaysia, KKDW, MARA, SME Corp, NCER, and international trade partners to enhance the global presence of the 'Made by Malaysia' brand through trade facilitation, strategic cross-agency support, and industry mentorship.