Matrade champions benchmarking initiative in Kedah
KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (Matrade) is strengthening efforts to boost global competitiveness among Malaysian exporters in the northern region through structured benchmarking programmes focused on enhancing organisational capabilities and industry best practices.
In a statement, Matrade said that in today's competitive global market, exporters must move beyond compliance and cost efficiency by embracing innovation, operational excellence, and international standards.
Its benchmarking initiatives help local companies measure performance against global peers, identify gaps, and adopt world-class strategies for sustainable growth.
Matrade, in collaboration with Deloitte Consulting Malaysia, organised the benchmarking programme with over 50 micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) from diverse industries.
The programme serves as both a learning platform and a catalyst for collaboration, innovation, and alignment with global market expectations, offering participants tailored insights, expert guidance, and industry networking.
Matrade chief executive officer Datuk Mohd Mustafa Abdul Aziz emphasised that competitiveness is no longer optional but essential, noting that exporters must be agile, efficient, and customer-centric to succeed in today's global market.
'This programme supports the northern region MSMEs in boosting productivity, building strong brands, and expanding global market access. For Kedah-based exporters, this is a vital step toward moving up the value chain, achieving long-term and sustainable growth,' he said in the statement.
Mohd Mustafa highlighted that several northern-based mid-tier companies, including Golden Fresh, Respack, Century, and Jin Bin Corporation, have achieved outstanding results by embracing global competitiveness.
He said these companies have elevated their products to world-class standards through continuous innovation and bold international expansion, successfully entering new markets across continents and strengthening their global brand presence.
The Mid-Tier Companies Development Programme (MTCDP) is Matrade's flagship initiative launched in 2014 to support export-ready companies with strong growth potential.
To date, 370 MTCs have benefited from the programme of which seven of them are based in Kedah. The participating companies have reported significant improvements in operational efficiency, market expansion, and global brand recognition as a direct result of Matrade's facilitation under MTCDP.
Matrade will continue expanding its regional outreach to ensure companies in states such as Kedah are not left behind in Malaysia's journey towards becoming a competitive, export-driven economy.
For more information, email Matrade at midtier@matrade.gov.my.
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