KUALA LUMPUR (March 19): The Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (Matrade) has expanded its trade commissioner office in Paris (Matrade Paris) to better facilitate and foster Malaysia’s trade relationships with France, Spain, Portugal and Monaco.
In a statement, the corporation said the launch of Matrade Paris was officiated by Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz during a trade and investment mission to France.
In his speech at the event, Tengku Zafrul highlighted the many opportunities for collaboration and partnerships between France and Malaysia. He emphasised the importance of France as a trade partner and its role as a gateway, not only to the European Union (EU) but also to Francophone North Africa.
Echoing the sentiments of collaboration and mutual benefits, he said “France has been an important economic partner for Malaysia, offering various opportunities across sectors targeted under our National Trade Blueprint and New Industrial Master Plan 2030, such as aerospace, defence, energy and electronics.”
“As such, the expanded capacity in Matrade Paris is necessary to help us drive sustainable growth through investment and trade between Malaysia and France, as well as Spain, Portugal and Monaco,” he said.
He also welcomed these countries’ expertise in high-tech industries to help uplift Malaysia’s manufacturing base, enhance exports and most importantly, generate higher-paying jobs for local talents.
“Sustainability is also at the heart of our industrial transformation and through Matrade Paris, we hope to attract more investments and trade in areas such as green manufacturing and the circular economy,” he added.
Meanwhile, Matrade chief executive officer Datuk Mohd Mustafa Abdul Aziz said it is imperative to actualise the expansion plans, given the evolving dynamics of the global trade landscape.
As a foremost trade promotion organisation acknowledged by the World Trade Promotion Organization (WTPO), Matrade recognises the urgency of bolstering Malaysia’s presence in the EU, particularly in France.
“Beyond our existing network in Frankfurt, Milan, Warsaw and Rotterdam, France presents a distinctive market environment that warrants a dedicated and enlarged team on the ground.
“This strategic reinforcement will, among others, provide us with invaluable nuanced insights into the burgeoning opportunities in this pivotal market.
“Moreover, our expansion extends beyond Europe, with enhanced footholds established in Cairo and Singapore, alongside our strengthened presence in Paris,” he said.
Established in 1994, the expansion of Matrade Paris this year marks the transformation from a marketing office (since 2014) to a full-fledged trade commissioner office.
In 2023, France emerged as Malaysia’s third-largest trading partner within the EU, with bilateral trade totalling 3.41 billion euros (approximately RM17.53 billion).
Malaysia exported 1.25 billion euros worth of goods to France and imported 2.16 billion euros worth of goods.
Major exports from Malaysia to France include electrical and electronic products, petroleum products, machinery equipment and processed food. The main imports from France to Malaysia consist of transport equipment, chemicals, machinery, electrical products and beverages.