MATRADE Strengthens South-South Cooperation Through TCTP 2025

By Harizah Hanim Mohamed

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 8 (Bernama) — The Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE) continues to drive Malaysia’s South-South cooperation agenda through its role as the Training Institution for the Third Country Training Programme (TCTP) 2025: Trade Promotion for African Countries.

The programme, held from Oct 8-15, underscores Malaysia’s long-standing commitment to knowledge sharing and technical cooperation among developing nations, particularly in the areas of trade promotion and export development.

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MATRADE chairman Datuk Seri Reezal Merican Naina Merican said the initiative highlights Malaysia’s strategy to strengthen global partnerships while diversifying its trade engagements across new and emerging markets.

“This programme is very important and will bring about multiplier effects for Malaysia and our regional partners. As a trading nation, such collaborations open doors to new markets and strengthen our collective economic resilience,” he told Bernama on the sidelines of TCTP today.

Reezal emphasised the importance of the African continent, which holds vast potential for Malaysian exporters, noting that emerging markets should not be overlooked.

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“TCTP 2025 will have a profound impact on all participants. From the seamless selection process to the engaging sessions and invaluable networking opportunities, MATRADE’s organisation of TCTP is a testament to our ability to deliver a world-class experience to all participants,” he said.

This year’s participants comprise representatives from Algeria, Burkina Faso, Egypt, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Nigeria, Senegal, South Africa, Uganda and Zimbabwe, alongside two observers from the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and the African Union Development Agency (AUDA-NEPAD).

He added that the programme not only facilitates valuable business connections but also highlights Malaysia’s pivotal role as a global trade and investment hub.

Reezal said diversification remains a key strategy in ensuring Malaysia’s trade sustainability, not only by expanding product offerings but also by exploring new market destinations.

“Currently, Malaysia’s trade with the African region stands at around RM40 billion (US$10 billion), representing roughly 2.5 per cent of our total global trade. Although the figure may appear small, it presents vast opportunities for expansion,” he said.

Since 2020, Malaysia’s cumulative trade with Africa has grown to RM258.6 billion, with exports amounting to RM154.4 billion.

Major export products include palm oil and palm oil-based agricultural products, petroleum products, processed food, electrical and electronic products, as well as palm oil-based manufactured goods.

Meanwhile, MATRADE has intensified its export promotion efforts this year to strengthen Malaysia’s presence and expand market share across the African continent.

Strategies include the facilitation of Malaysian companies’ participation in the Egypt Energy Expo, alongside a series of export acceleration missions to Egypt, Libya, South Africa and Kenya.

These initiatives aim to enhance business linkages, open new opportunities for Malaysian exporters, and showcase Malaysia’s capabilities as a reliable trading partner in emerging African markets.

TCTP is organised in collaboration with the Malaysian Technical Cooperation Programme, a unit under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Japan International Cooperation Agency.

Reezal said it is timely for Malaysia to revitalise and strengthen trade relations with African nations, building on the deep historical ties established through the South-South Cooperation framework.

He said African countries have long regarded Malaysia as a trusted partner in development and trade, and there is significant potential to elevate these relations to new heights.

“This is the right time to rejuvenate our engagement with Africa. Malaysia is ready to share its development experience and success stories in a way that creates mutual benefit. We want to ensure that our progress translates into shared prosperity, not a zero-sum outcome,” he said.

He also lauded the government’s active trade diplomacy under the leadership of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry, Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz, noting that Malaysia’s strong trade promotion efforts have continued to yield positive outcomes globally.

Reezal added that Africa’s fast-growing economies will play a more prominent role in the global trading system in the coming decades.

“We recognise Africa’s immense potential. It is poised to become one of the world’s fastest-growing economic powerhouses over the next 10 to 20 years. This collaboration will lay the foundation for a stronger, more connected global South,” he said.

The programme includes a seminar on ‘Emerging Africa: Tapping into Growth and Opportunities’, as well as briefings and industrial visits covering key areas such as trade, investment, and sharing sessions by Malaysian industry players from the oil and gas, transport and logistics, renewable energy, food and beverage, road construction, and halal sectors, added Reezal.

-- BERNAMA