By Ling Hui
KUCHING, Jan 20: There is export potential in Sarawak’s shipbuilding and repairing services, says Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (Matrade) deputy chief executive officer Abu Bakar Yusof.
He said other than Sarawak’s specialties such as palm oil, timber, and agricultural products, the State’s unique services can also be exported to other countries.
“There is a lot of potential in Sarawak because it has many iconic resources and industries, for example shipbuilding and repairing.
“That is another good industry we can explore to see how we can promote and export these services to the world,” he said.
In 2021, Abu Bakar said there was positive momentum in export and total trade at both the national and State level, and hoped for continuous improvement this year during the economic recovery stage.
“For export in the first 10 months in 2021, Malaysia’s export value has exceeded RM1 trillion, and until November, our total trade including both export and import, has exceeded RM2 trillion.
“Sarawak also saw an increasing trend. For the first 11 months in 2021, Sarawak’s trade grew by nearly 24 per cent to RM94.61 billion as compared to 2020.
“Sarawak’s export until November, has also increased by 24 per cent,” he said during a media session at a local restaurant here today.
With that, Abu Bakar emphasised the necessity for Matrade to continue its engagement with local businesses including in Sarawak to bring local products and services onto international platforms.
He said Matrade also provides financial assistance to companies providing services through the Services Export Fund (SEF).
Matrade is a government agency under the Ministry of International Trade and Industry Malaysia (MITI) that specialises in external trade.
The agency was established in March 1993 and given the mandate to grow Malaysian entrepreneurs into exporters and assist them to expand the export markets.
Among those also present were Matrade Sarawak director Zamzuri Mohamed, SME Export Development (x-SEED) senior manager Shah Nizam Ahmad and x-SEED assistant manager Norzulaila Mohd Dzafri. — DayakDaily
