#MYAPEC2020 Exhibition All Set to Match Malaysian Exporters with Businesses from the APEC Region, Virtually

The economic impacts of COVID-19 saw a rapid transformation among Malaysian businesses in the area of digitalisation. Capitalising on this trend, Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI) through its agency, Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE), launched a virtual exhibition called #MyAPEC2020 Exhibition, which commenced from 1 September until 31 December 2020.

Launched by Deputy Minister of International Trade and Industry YB Datuk Lim Ban Hong, #MyAPEC2020 Exhibition is held in conjunction with Malaysia’s hosting of Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) 2020. The launch also witnessed MATRADE exchanging a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Fusionex, the official Technology Partner for #MyAPEC2020 Exhibition. 

The initiative will provide a conducive online platform, with state-of-the-art technology for Malaysian companies to meet "digitally" with potential partners and buyers from around the APEC region. According to Datuk Lim Ban Hong, the virtual exhibition is the first of its kind for Malaysia and will be the catalyst to many more similar initiatives in the near future. “As the Economic Frontliners of the nation, MITI and Agencies see the need for Malaysian business community to take digitalisation seriously and there is no better time to adopt digitalisation as the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the way people do business, and led to more e-commerce transactions among buyers too. #MyAPEC2020 Exhibition will provide not only business opportunities for Malaysian Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), but offer a great learning experience for these companies – to adopt and adapt to virtual engagements,” he said.

The virtual exhibition will showcase products and services by over 300 exhibitors from Malaysia and 21 APEC member economies. These products are from eight sectors namely Technology; Innovative F&B and Agrofood; Green Tech & Energy; Healthcare; Professional & Business Services; Transport & Logistics; Lifestyle; and Building Materials. 

Other than the virtual exhibition display, the event will also feature an immersive business platform that includes Business Pitching – where participants will be conducting live pitching sessions and enjoy a real-time interactive communication; Virtual B2B Meetings – matching and arranging meetings for exhibitors with foreign buyers; as well as Webinars – broadcasting of live presentations on key topics that allow participants to chat with each other virtually. 

With all these engagements, developed using digital systems, the exhibition will promote greater business linkages between Malaysian and APEC business entities. Dato’ Wan Latiff Wan Musa, Chief Executive Officer of MATRADE said, “As the organiser of the exhibition, MATRADE will leverage on its 46 trade offices around the world to promote the virtual exhibition and arrange virtual B2B meetings for Malaysian companies with the right buyers. We are confident this exhibition will provide great benefits to the participants and help revitalise their businesses that may be affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.” 

This year is Malaysia's second time hosting the region’s largest annual economic forum. As host and Chair of APEC 2020, Malaysia is the first APEC economy to host APEC virtually. This time around, Malaysia will place a special emphasis on the agenda of Shared Prosperity, to bring greater economic benefits to the people of the Asia Pacific, as well as discussions on policies that will affect more than half of the world’s trade.

The virtual exhibition can be accessed through myapec2020.matrade.gov.my or via APEC portal and MATRADE website. Interested Malaysian companies who wish to participate in the #MyAPEC2020 Exhibition may get in touch with the secretariat at myapec2020@matrade.gov.my. For more information about the APEC 2020, please visit www.myapec2020.my.