by SUFEA SALEHUDDIN / pic TMR FILE

THE Malaysia External Trade Development Corp (Matrade) recently led a delegation of 23 companies to Jakarta for the Export Acceleration Mission (EAM) from Dec 18 to 21, 2023.

Teaming up with Invest Selangor Bhd, the delegation spanned diverse construction and related services, encompassing infrastructure, architecture, quantity surveying, power generation, renewable energy (RE) and water treatment.

The mission’s primary objective was to delve into potential business prospects and collaborations within Indonesia’s construction industry, with a distinctive focus on Ibu Kota Nusantara, the recently established national capital.

Matrade conducted consultations with pivotal stakeholders, including Invest Selangor, the Professional Services Productivity NEXUS of the Malaysian Productivity Corp (MPC), Malaysian Service Providers’ Confederation (MSPC), Building Materials Distributors Associations of Malaysia (BMDAM) and The Small & Medium Enterprises Association (SAMENTA).

With support from the Embassy of Malaysia in Indonesia, Matrade collaborated with Indonesian entities such as Otorita Ibu Kota Nusantara (OIKN), Ministry of Public Works and Housing Indonesia (PUPR), Kamar Dagang dan Industri Indonesia (KADIN), Dinas Penanaman Modal dan Pelayanan Terpadu Satu Pintu (DPMPTSP) Kalimantan Utara, Nusantara Global Investors Initiatives and Himpunan Pengusaha Muda Indonesia (HIPMI), through various programmes and engagements.

Matrade Jakarta trade commissioner Suresh R Palasanthiran expressed optimism about the expansive opportunities in Indonesia.

He highlighted potential development projects in construction, tolled highways, clean water and sanitation, engineering services, power stations, energy, clean water and telecommunications.

Furthermore, the EAM’s business networking sessions provided a platform for companies to engage, exchange information and cultivate strategic partnerships with their Indonesian counterparts.

The mission generated total sales of RM334 million, with over 93 business meetings featuring key players in the construction industry, including PT Waskita Karya (Persero) Tbk, PT Adhi Karya (Persero) Tbk and PT Pembangunan Perumahan (Persero) Tbk.

Mustapha Kamal Zulkarnain from Arkitek Mustapha Kamal said the congregation of the business community in the construction industry bodes well for Malaysian players in Indonesia.

“We have successfully forged new counterparts and strengthened existing collaborations.

“Additionally, we signed a new memorandum of understanding (MoU) with a distinguished Indonesian architectural firm,” he said in a statement.

In 2022, Malaysia’s construction services exports reached RM6.1 billion, with imports valued at RM4.8 billion, contributing to Malaysia’s overall services export of RM140.3 billion.

The strengths of the Malaysian construction sector reside in the capabilities of its companies, adeptly executing diverse projects ranging from buildings, roads and highways to water treatment plants and power stations.