PETALING JAYA: Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (Matrade) and DHL Express have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU), expanding their strategic partnership to strengthen the export readiness and competitiveness of local businesses to deepens both parties’ role and contribution to enhance the capabilities of Malaysian MSMEs to enhance market access and global footprints.
Through the initiative, companies registered with Matrade can continue to participate in the Trade and Grow Beyond Borders Programme, which combines online content and in-person workshops. Facilitated by DHL Express’ international specialists and industry partners, the training course provides insights into e-commerce, financing, marketing, logistics, customs compliance, and sustainable scaling. These topics are made more pertinent as entrepreneurs navigate a trade climate marked by global disruption and uncertainty.
The programme aligns with Matrade’s 2026 roadmap and active push for Malaysian businesses to diversify beyond traditional markets, guiding exporters towards high-growth opportunities in Asean, South Asia, Central Asia and Africa. This strategic imperative is underscored by shifting US tariff regimes, the 30% decline in Malaysia’s West Asia trade amid ongoing regional conflicts and elevated freight risk premiums that continue to weigh on export competitiveness.
The MoU was formalised today by Matrade CEO Datuk Abu Bakar Yusof and DHL Express Malaysia and Brunei managing director Julian Neo, Matrade said in a statement.
“Enhancing MSME capability and integration in global value chains is central to Matrade’s mission, and that mission has never been more urgent,” said Abu Bakar.
“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.”
Neo 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.”
The MoU builds on the foundation established by the initial contract inked in November 2022. Since then, the joint programme has drawn close to 700 participants across sessions in Kuala Lumpur, Selangor, Johor, Penang, Kedah, Pahang, Sabah and Sarawak.
Seven local MSMEs were 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. The collaboration culminated with both parties co-hosting the DHL GoTrade Summit 2025 – the first time the event was held outside of Germany – in conjunction with Malaysia’s chairmanship of Asean.
Trade and Grow Beyond Borders is an initiative conducted under the banner of GoTrade, one of DHL Group’s social impact programmes aimed at reducing trade barriers and empowering MSMEs to engage in cross-border trade by leveraging DHL’s resources. This year’s DHL GoTrade Summit will be held in Manila, the Philippines, on Oct 6.
