KUALA LUMPUR, 25 NOVEMBER 2025 – The Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE) marked a successful conclusion to its inaugural participation at the 35th Saudi Build 2025, one of the major trade exhibitions for the construction services and building materials in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, with exceptional results, securing RM432.18 million in total export sales during the four-day event held from 3 to 6 November 2025 at the Riyadh International Convention and Exhibition Center (RICEC), Riyadh.
The pavilion also featured five (5) Malaysian companies under the Vendor Capacity Development Programme (PPKV), coordinated by the SME Bank and the Ministry of Entrepreneur and Cooperatives Development (KUSKOP).
Strengthening Malaysia–Saudi Arabia Economic Ties
This initiative underscores Malaysia’s commitment to supporting the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 agenda and strengthening bilateral trade and investment ties between Malaysia and Saudi Arabia, particularly in the construction and infrastructure sectors, which remain key pillars of economic development in both nations.
Saudi Arabia represents one of the most dynamic construction markets in the world and MATRADE’s participation in Saudi Build 2025 reflects its substantial efforts to position Malaysian companies as reliable partners in delivering quality, sustainable and innovative solutions aligned with Vision 2030’s transformative projects.
This participation has opened doors for continuous engagements between Malaysian and Saudi industry players and the visibility gained is expected to further strengthen Malaysia’s position as a strategic partner in Saudi Arabia’s infrastructure and national development.
Malaysian participants engaged in numerous business discussions aimed at exploring opportunities in Saudi Arabia’s various Giga and Mega Projects.
Malaysia Showcases Advanced and Sustainable Construction Innovations
The Malaysian contingent brings a strong focus on advanced construction technologies that align with the Kingdom’s push for efficiency, quality and sustainability. Key sectors represented include:
- Industrialised Building Systems (IBS): Showcasing prefabricated and modular construction solutions that enable faster, safer, and more cost-effective project delivery, critical for large-scale housing and infrastructure needs.
- Smart Building & Green Tech: Featuring innovations in passive fire protection, energy-efficient lighting systems, and materials that enhance sustainability, directly supporting the development of smart cities and green initiatives.
- Advanced Materials: Presenting high-strength concrete products, polymer additives for road construction (novapave), and premium building hardware designed for durability in challenging environments.
- Professional Services: Including award-winning architectural consultancy and integrated project management services.
Complementing the exhibition was MATRADE’s Global Buyers Programme (GBP), bringing in international buyers from Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt, Nigeria and Senegal. The business-matching sessions facilitated by MATRADE generated promising trade leads and potential export opportunities for Malaysian participants with a total sales recorded of RM180.92 million.
Strategic Engagement with Key Industry Players
As part of the programme, MATRADE also arranged an insightful engagement session with UEM Edgenta Berhad’s Regional Office—Malaysia’s leading facilities management company operating in the Kingdom and ACWA Power, the largest water desalination company in Saudi Arabia.
These sessions provided Malaysian businesses with a deeper understanding of the roles these key industry players can offer in facilitating market entry into Saudi Arabia and the potential opportunities to integrate into their supply chains.
Expanding Malaysia’s Presence in the GCC Region
The participation at Saudi Build 2025 forms part of MATRADE’s strategic efforts to expand Malaysian companies’ footprint in high-growth markets within the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region. It also reinforces Malaysia’s reputation as a trusted partner in global construction, infrastructure and urban development projects.
Building on the success of this inaugural participation, MATRADE and its stakeholders plan to further promote Malaysian companies in expanding their footprint in West Asia through continued involvement in major trade exhibitions and business missions.
These initiatives aim to enhance Malaysia’s exports of construction services, building materials, and green technology solutions, in line with the government’s aspiration to diversify export markets and increase Malaysian companies’ global competitiveness.
