Regional growth prospects dominates trade discussions in Kuala Lumpur

As Malaysia prepares to take inaugural Chairmanship of the Asean Economic Community (AEC) in 2015, the impact of the agreement on the region’s corporate and financial sectors framed the key topics for discussion at Global Trade Review’s 3rd Annual Malaysia Trade & Export Finance Conference, which took place in Kuala Lumpur on November 11th.

The conference brought together senior decision makers from the corporate, financial and government sectors to discuss the key priorities for Malaysian exporters, the regional trade finance sector, and those seeking to do business with the country.

Supported by leading global institutions such as Maybank, OCBC Bank, BAE Systems, Euler Hermes and EXIM Bank of Malaysia, as well as ICC Malaysia, MEXPA and the Malaysia International Chamber of Commerce & Industry, strong focus was placed on the need for wider engagement between exporting and importing companies and those tasked with financing their trade.

Discussions centred on a wide range of topics, including business opportunities offered by implementation of the AEC, the financial challenges facing the region’s soft commodity planters and traders and the solutions available, and the role of trade credit and political risk insurance in managing risk and enhancing credit capacity.

“With ongoing government initiatives aimed at achieving developed nation status by 2020, merchandise and commodity trade has taken on a hugely significant role in driving Malaysia’s economy forward” says George Mitchell, Senior Conference Producer for GTR. “With Asia now providing the impetus for global trade volumes, the Malaysian market is uniquely placed to offer a host of opportunities to both domestic and international companies seeking to expand in the region, and the financial institutions supporting their trade. These opportunities, which stand to be enhanced by enactment of the Asean Economic Community agreement, took centre stage at the conference”

Reflecting the heightened interest in the Malaysian market from abroad, a strong contingent of international corporate speakers participated at the event including India’s Essar Group and Reliance Industries, as well as domestic and regional companies including Felda Global Ventures, RCMA Commodities, and Kleenso Resources.

“We’re experiencing tremendous interest in the Malaysian market across our Asia-focused events, in line with its position as a regional hub for trade” says Rupert Sayer, Founder of Global Trade Review and CEO of GTR Asia. “With an economy focused on developing value-added exports, its strong trade connections with China, its large soft commodities sector, and its capabilities as an alternative transhipment point for South-South trade routes between Asia and high growth markets such as those in Africa, it is no surprise that banks and businesses are keen to establish and expand their presence in this exciting market. The growth of GTR’s Malaysia Trade & Export Finance Conference very much reflects appetite for Malaysian business”