by SHAFIQQUL ALIFF / pic by TMR FILE

MORE than 20 global campaigns have been scheduled for 2022, to achieve Electronic Business Linkage (eBizLink) key performance indicator target of 600 companies assisted and RM60 million export sales generated.

Malaysia External Trade Development Corp (Matrade) said in a recent statement that among the key markets targeted are North America, South America, Europe, West Asia and South-East Asia.

It stated that a total of 18 global campaigns have been executed in 2021 generating more than RM40 million export sales benefitting 350 Malaysian exporters through eBizLink.

Food and beverage (F&B) sector contributed RM25 million or 60% of total sales for eBizLink campaign, followed by personal care products and medical gloves.

Other products and services sourced from Malaysia include fast-moving consumer goods, health products and e-commerce services.

eBizLink programme is a new initiative by the government under the “Program Strategik Memperkasa Rakyat dan Ekonomi” through Matrade an agency of MITI, aimed to intensify promotion of Malaysia’s export digitally.

Reinforced through the implementation of new initiative under the National Trade Blueprint to further facilitate export promotion and market access, eBizLink leverages on hybrid business-to-consumer and business-to-business (B2B) platforms, focusing on online and offline (O2O) promotion with greater emphasis on digital marketing and key opinion leaders (KOLs).

eBizLink was launched in July last year to provide cost-effective and sustainable solutions for small and medium enterprises, and midtier companies to seize new business opportunities in the global marketplace brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic.

Matrade deputy CEO Sharimahton Mat Saleh said the eBizLink initiative provides new alternatives for Malaysian exporters to promote their products and brands to potential international customers through O2O platforms.

She said by leveraging local market influencers and KOLs, the perception of Malaysian brands is enhanced by the vast coverage provided by the millions of followers on their social media.

“Matrade global offices have engaged local KOLs to promote Malaysian products and brands through various online social media channels that reach a wider audience at a faster rate compared to traditional media.

“Among the successful global campaigns by Matrade trade offices leveraging on KOLs were Malaysia’s participation in China-Asean Expo (CAEXPO) 2021 in Nanning, China, Matrade Guangzhou had collaborated with overseas prominent brands,” she added.

To date, nine eBizLink programmes have been completed includes JD618 Shopping Festival Digital Expo in China, Asean Online Sales Day in Myanmar, Vietnam, Singapore, Indonesia and Thailand, Choose Malaysia Promotion Programme in Cambodia, Malaysia Promotion Programmes in-conjunction of CAEXPO 2021 in China, Flavours of Malaysia in Netherlands, Asian Grocery & eMarket Place in Australia, Malaysia Festival in Hong Kong, Online Campaign with eCommerce Platform in Pakistan and Online Campaign with Health & Glow in India.

Another nine programmes are still ongoing in North-East Asia, South-East Asia, Central Asia and North America. Sharimaton added that local KOLs were also engaged to promote the event through various social media channels in China as the campaign was held from Sept 1 to Sept 30 last year which recorded export sales of RM4.78 million with main products sourced including durian products, spices, birds nest and cream crackers.

“In Pakistan, RM8.69 million sales have been generated from eBizLink collaboration between Matrade Mumbai and Ecommerce Pte Ltd, under their B2B portal, EcomBRI.com.

“The campaign was held from Nov 30 until Dec 3, 2021, with personal care being the main products along with rubber gloves and F&B that were sourced by Pakistan trade buyers.

“Under the theme ‘Malaysia Ayatha: The Most Exclusive Live Showcase of Malaysian Brands’ in Myanmar were promoted via Facebook through the Malaysia Ayatha page and media partner Duwun, which has over 8.6 million followers on Facebook.

“Over 100 Malaysian brands were promoted during the campaign from Dec 3 until Dec 26, 2021, with RM12.16 million export sales generated,” she explained.