Renewing our partnership with MATRADE to strengthen Malaysian MSME export readiness

On 16 July 2026, we signed a new Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE), extending our strategic partnership to strengthen the export readiness and competitiveness of Malaysian micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs).

The agreement was formalised by Dato’ Abu Bakar Yusof, Chief Executive Officer of MATRADE, and Julian Neo, our Managing Director for Malaysia and Brunei.

Continued export training and development

Through our renewed agreement, companies registered with MATRADE can continue to participate in the ‘Trade and Grow Beyond Borders’ programme, which combines online content with in-person workshops.

Facilitated by our international specialists and industry partners, the programme provides insights into e-commerce, financing, marketing, logistics, customs compliance and sustainable scaling.

The programme aligns with MATRADE’s 2026 roadmap and its push for Malaysian businesses to diversify beyond traditional markets. It guides exporters towards high-growth opportunities in ASEAN, South Asia, Central Asia and Africa.

Preparing businesses for a changing trade landscape

We renewed our partnership at a time when businesses were navigating a trade climate marked by disruption and uncertainty. Shifting US tariff regimes, a reported 30 per cent decline in Malaysia’s West Asia trade amid regional conflicts[1], and elevated freight risk premiums underscored the importance of export preparation and market diversification.

Speaking at the signing, Dato’ Abu Bakar said:

“Enhancing MSME capability and integration in global value chains is central to MATRADE’s mission, and that mission has never been more urgent. The current trade landscape demands that Malaysian businesses be better prepared as well as more diversified and resilient than ever before. Our exporters are managing tough conditions, such as evolving tariff policies, supply chain dislocations, and heightened freight risks.

“The renewed collaboration with DHL equips our homegrown enterprises with precisely the knowledge and confidence they need to navigate these pressures and seize new opportunities in markets actively welcoming Malaysian goods and services. This is how we build Malaysian brands that do not merely survive disruption, but grow through it.”

Building on the partnership established in 2022

Our renewed MOU builds on the initial agreement signed in November 2022. By the time of the July 2026 announcement, the joint programme had drawn close to 700 participants across sessions in Kuala Lumpur, Selangor, Johor, Penang, Kedah, Pahang, Sabah and Sarawak.

Seven local MSMEs were also selected for the DHL GoTrade GBSN Fellowship, where they were paired with postgraduate students from the Global Business School Network for complementary learning and mentoring.

Together with MATRADE, we also co-hosted the DHL GoTrade Summit 2025 in conjunction with Malaysia’s chairmanship of ASEAN. It was the first time the summit had been held outside Germany.

Julian said:

“As a facilitator of global trade, we have extensive experience in connecting businesses to customers and communities worldwide. Sharing this expertise with MSMEs to help amplify their commercial reach represents one of the many ways we contribute to inclusive economic prosperity and equity. Our longstanding relationship with MATRADE demonstrates the power of public-private cooperation in advancing this mandate.”

Supporting MSMEs through GoTrade

‘Trade and Grow Beyond Borders’ is conducted under GoTrade, one of DHL Group’s social impact programmes. GoTrade aims to reduce trade barriers and empower MSMEs to engage in cross-border trade by leveraging DHL’s resources.