Abu Bakar is succeeding YBhg. Dato’ Sri Mohd Mustafa Abdul Aziz, who is retiring after 35 years in service, of which 32 years were with MATRADE. This leadership transition reinforces MATRADE’s commitment to strengthen the national trade agenda, focusing on enhancing export resilience among exporters particularly the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and strategic partnerships with export ecosystem partners be it public or private sectors.
Abu Bakar has over 30 years of experience in international trade and export promotion. He began his career as a Statistician in November 1993, building a strong foundation in data analysis and planning, before serving in various senior and leadership roles. His experience includes overseas assignments at MATRADE offices in Seoul and Beijing and attachment at Khazanah Nasional Berhad under Government’s Cross Fertilisation Programme.
He was appointed as Deputy Chief Executive Officer in 2020, overseeing Exporters Development and subsequently the Export Acceleration Divisions, gaining him vast experience and expertise in both developing Malaysian exporters’ capacity as well as formulating the appropriate strategies for export promotion that drives in result and elevate the nation’s exports.
In accepting the role, Abu Bakar outlined his unwavering commitment to helping the nation achieve the goals of the 13MP, in terms of exports, with a clear five-year vision to translate the plan into tangible and impactful results.
“I am deeply honoured and humbled to lead MATRADE and my pledge is to ensure that MATRADE continues to be the driving force behind trade and export growth and for us to be able to do that, we will reach out to as many stakeholders as possible to work closely together for this purpose,” he said.
The Chairman of MATRADE, YB Dato’ Seri Reezal Merican Naina Merican welcomed the appointment: “Abu Bakar’s deep policy and operational experience make him the ideal successor to be at the helm, ensuring the continuity and results-driven focus for Malaysia’s export agenda. On behalf of the Board, I congratulate him and at the same time extend our deepest gratitude to Dato’ Sri Mohd Mustafa for his exemplary leadership in aligning MATRADE for the past five years.”
MATRADE invites all its stakeholders including exporters and industry associations to welcome this new leadership as it diligently works to execute its mandate to position Malaysia as a globally competitive trading nation.
