14 March 2018
Published also in Business Mirror
THE Malaysia Promotion Program (MPP) is currently taking in Manila from March 11 to 18, under the theme “Choose Malaysia.”
The MPP is aimed to promote greater trade, investment and tourism activities between Malaysia and the Philippines. Previous editions of MPP were held in London and Sydney. This year Manila is chosen for its 2018 edition.
Trade between Malaysia and the Philippines in 2017 was registered at $5.93 billion, an increase of 21.4 percent, from 2016. Malaysia exports to the Philippines were valued at $3.84 billion, while imports accounted for $2.09 billion with both exports and imports increasing by 16.7 percent and 31.3 percent, respectively. Trade was in favor of Malaysia with $1.75 billion of trade surplus recorded in 2017. The Philippines was Malaysia’s 15th-largest trading partner in 2017.
Current economic development in the Philippines especially in the digital economy and “Build, Build, Build” agenda has created more interest from Malaysian suppliers and service providers to venture into this country.
In March 70 Malaysian companies and government agencies in various industries, such as information and communications technology (ICT), construction and building materials, furniture, food and beverages will be in Manila to meet with their counterparts.
In conjunction with MPP, Matrade organized the Malaysia Business Forum on March 12 at Makati Shangri-La. The theme, is “Leveraging Partnership: Asean and Beyond,” is to encourage businesses in both countries to further engage in cross-border trade and investment.
Partnership between Malaysia-Philippines businesses is encouraged in venturing into other Association of Southeast Asian Nations member-states and other regions. Dato’ Sri Mustapa Mohamed, minister of International Trade and Industry Malaysia, delivered the keynote address. Breakout sessions to discuss further on collaborations in ICT and construction industries were held in the afternoon.
Citarasa Malaysia or, simply “taste of Malaysia,” is aimed to promote Malaysia’s food and beverage, culture and tourism. This event was held from March 11 to 13 at Glorietta 2, Activity Center, Palm Drive, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Activities arranged included Malaysian cultural performances, business matching, quizzes, food sampling and food demo.
About 30 Malaysian exporters of quality building and construction materials and furniture would be participating in Worldbex 2018.
Matrade is the national trade-promotion agency of Malaysia. It is actively involved in assisting foreign companies sourcing for Malaysian products and services.