This year’s success was driven by the capability and determination of local companies, particularly Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), in exploring the global market for the first time as well as the strengthening of Bumiputera companies.
A total of 25 new companies made their debut at Gulfood, recording sales worth RM220.97 million or 13% of the total export sales. In addition, 38 companies or 33% of the total exhibitors were Bumiputera-status companies, which generated sales of RM593.36 million, contributing 34% of the total overall sales.
The success was the result of holistic support through the cooperation of nine Ministries and Government Agencies under the Export Coordination Committee (JK-X) platform. The involvement of various parties ensured that MSMEs received integrated support in overseas export promotion programmes, including the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (KPKM), Ministry of Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives (KUSKOP), SME Bank, Malaysia Cooperative Commission (SKM), Majlis Amanah Rakyat (MARA), Malaysian Palm Oil Council (MPOC), Malaysian Pineapple Industry Board (LPNM/MPIB), Sabah Ministry of Industrial Development (MIDS), and Penang Regional Development Authority (PERDA).
The Chairman of MATRADE, Dato’ Seri Reezal Merican Naina Merican, congratulated the MATRADE team on the success of the participation.
“This success is the result of strategic preparation and coordination that requires all parties to act in unison to elevate the Malaysia brand in an integrated manner. Targeted MATRADE programmes, particularly through high-impact business matching (B2B), greatly assist MSMEs in generating continuous export results to realise their true potential. This is aligned with the MADANI vision to build a more sustainable and inclusive economy for all levels of entrepreneurs.”
He added, “As Gulfood is the first export promotion programme implemented by MATRADE for the year 2026, this result serves as a benchmark for the remaining 52 promotion programmes to be carried out by MATRADE this year.”
“MATRADE will continue to strengthen inter-agency cooperation to ensure Malaysia remains a competitive global sourcing hub of choice. The Malaysia-UAE CEPA agreement, which came into force in October 2025, has empowered our MSMEs and exporters to offer more competitive prices through tariff reductions. We view this success as proof that carefully planned business matching programmes are capable of delivering significant results, particularly for companies participating in this exhibition for the first time,” said Abu Bakar Yusof, Chief Executive Officer of MATRADE.
MATRADE remains committed to continuing to coordinate a larger Malaysian participation to empower the country’s food and beverage (F&B) exports and to ensure Malaysia remains a sourcing hub of choice for the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region for next year’s Gulfood edition scheduled for 15 – 19 March 2027.
