Matrade Eyes 2,625 SMEs For E-Trade Programme With Alibaba In 2014

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 2 (Bernama) -- The Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (Matrade) aims to get 2,625 small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to sign up this year for its newly launched e-Trade programme with Chinese online retail giant Alibaba. The programme, open to SMEs in the manufacturing, services and trading sectors, aims to accelerate exports of SMEs through participation in a leading international e-marketplace. In a statement Wednesday, the national trade promotion agency said the collaboration with Alibaba will provide an opportunity for Malaysian SMEs to reach out to hundreds of millions of online buyers worldwide. It said in order to be eligible for the e-Trade programme, SMEs must have at least 60 per cent Malaysian equity incorporated under the Companies Act 1965; provide made-in-Malaysia products and services; be registered as Matrade members; have a minimum rating of four in the SME Competitiveness Rating for Enhancement; and be export-ready or currently exporting. "Approved SMEs will be given an e-voucher worth RM1,000 which they can use to pay part of the Alibaba e-Trade Global Gold Supplier Package subscription fee of US$614.36 (RM2,000)," it added. --BERNAMA