The Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE) will lead a delegation of 11 Malaysian technology and digital enterprises to the 5th Global Digital Trade Expo (GDTE) in Hangzhou, China, from 21 to 25 September 2026, as Malaysia seeks to strengthen its presence in Asia’s rapidly expanding digital economy.
The Export Acceleration Mission (EAM) aims to expand Malaysia’s trade presence within China’s digital ecosystem while creating opportunities for cross-border collaboration in frontier technology sectors.
The Malaysia Pavilion at GDTE will serve as a platform for business matchmaking, technical exchange and market expansion, connecting Malaysian technology companies with potential partners and buyers in China and the wider region.
Malaysian Technology Companies Target China’s Digital Economy
The Malaysian delegation will showcase a range of digital and frontier technology solutions aimed at supporting enterprise digital transformation.
Their offerings cover AI data integration and customer automation, industrial Internet of Things (IoT) solutions for energy and utilities, AI-enabled robotics, high-performance cloud computing and Infrastructure-as-a-Service (IaaS).
The delegation will also feature solutions spanning PropTech ecosystems, cross-border trade platforms, Artificial Intelligence Generated Content (AIGC) media tools and smart health applications.
The breadth of technologies reflects the growing range of Malaysian digital capabilities being positioned for international markets.
Dato’ Indera Abu Bakar Yusof, Chief Executive Officer of MATRADE, said participating in China’s technology ecosystem represents a strategic move for Malaysian exporters.
“Venturing into China’s dynamic technology ecosystem is a deliberate, strategic positioning move for our exporters. The 5th GDTE places Malaysian innovators directly alongside global industry leaders, empowering them to tap into high-value sourcing channels, capture joint venture opportunities, and integrate into regional technology supply chains.”
Malaysia-China Trade Continues to Expand
The mission takes place against the backdrop of strong trade growth between Malaysia and China, with China remaining Malaysia’s largest single trading partner for 17 consecutive years since 2009.
Trade between the two countries continued to expand in 2026. During the first eight months of the year, Malaysia-China trade rose 35.0% to RM456.68 billion compared with the corresponding period in 2025.
Malaysia’s exports to China increased 23.7% to RM148.56 billion, while imports from China grew 41.2% to RM308.12 billion.
The continued growth in bilateral trade provides a wider commercial environment for Malaysian technology companies seeking to enter or expand within the Chinese market.
Digital Trade Frameworks Support Regional Expansion
Malaysia-China economic relations are also supported by regional trade frameworks, including the ASEAN-China Free Trade Area (ACFTA) 3.0 upgrade and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP).
These frameworks provide enhanced rules for paperless trade and modern digital trade facilitation, alongside intellectual property protections.
For Malaysian digital exporters, these arrangements can support efforts to expand their market reach and participate in regional technology supply chains.
The combination of growing bilateral trade and deeper regional economic integration provides opportunities for Malaysian companies to explore partnerships, sourcing arrangements and technology collaboration beyond their domestic market.
Business Matching and Technology Partnerships
Throughout the five-day GDTE, MATRADE will carry out a programme designed to generate direct commercial opportunities for the Malaysian delegation.
A key component will be curated business-to-business (B2B) matching sessions, organised in collaboration with the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT) Hangzhou Branch and the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (ICBC).
The sessions are intended to connect Malaysian technology companies with potential Chinese buyers, business partners and investors while exploring opportunities for market expansion.
The delegation will also participate in site visits to leading Chinese technology companies and industrial hubs across Hangzhou.
These visits will provide opportunities to explore potential research and development partnerships, technical integration and commercial channel expansion.
Expanding Malaysia’s Digital Trade Footprint
Through its participation at GDTE, MATRADE aims to position Malaysian technology companies closer to emerging opportunities within China’s digital economy and wider regional technology supply chains.
For the 11 participating enterprises, the mission provides a platform to showcase Malaysian digital capabilities while pursuing new sourcing channels, partnerships and opportunities for international expansion.
The initiative also forms part of Malaysia’s broader efforts to strengthen its digital exports and deepen commercial links with one of its most important trading partners.
