KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (Matrade), through its Paris office, recently hosted the Malaysia Breakfast Business Networking Event to deepen the French business community's understanding of Malaysia's evolving economic landscape.
Organised in collaboration with Business France and in conjunction with the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games, the event served as a significant milestone in showcasing Malaysia's potential and fostering greater economic collaboration with France and beyond.
The event provided a platform to enhance economic ties between Malaysia and France, highlighting Malaysia's vibrant business environment and commitment to sustainability. It underscored Malaysia's strategic role in Southeast Asia, its fast-growing economy, and its leadership in key sectors such as electronics, aerospace, and green technologies.
Matrade Paris Trade Commissioner, Zuhaila Sedek, delivered a presentation highlighting Malaysia's positive economic growth, reflected through upward trends in gross domestic product, external trade, and investment performance.
"The French business communities have expressed the need for greater awareness of Malaysia, and this initiative directly addressed French business industry leaders. This is crucial to generating more interest among French businesses in making Malaysia their sourcing hub in Southeast Asia.
"Following the expansion of Matrade Paris earlier this year, we have been able to organise various networking and promotional programmes to enhance Malaysia's country branding here in Paris," said Zuhaila.
The Ambassador of Malaysia to France, Datuk Eldeen Husaini Mohd Hashim, and the deputy managing director of Business France, Marie-Cécile Tardieu, also addressed the audience, highlighting the importance of strengthening trade relations between Malaysia and France.
Matrade's chief executive officer, Datuk Mohd Mustafa Abdul Aziz, emphasised that as the global community increasingly looks to Southeast Asia for market diversification and supply chain solutions, Malaysia stands out with its dynamic economy, multicultural society, and commitment to sustainability.
"France, known for its leadership in innovation, high technology, and green energy, plays a pivotal role in supporting Malaysia's transformation roadmap towards sustainability, especially in achieving the net-zero target by 2050. As Malaysia's trade promotion organisation, Matrade will continue to implement action plans guided by the National Trade Blueprint to support our nation's socio-economic progression," he said.