A group photo of the Guest of Honor and leaders
As Malaysia moves deeper into its competitiveness agenda in November 2025, the Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE) is sharpening its focus on strengthening Mid-Tier Companies (MTCs) as engines of export expansion and long-term economic resilience. Serving as the nation’s lead trade promotion agency, MATRADE is positioning MTCs for their next phase of global growth through strategic programs anchored by its flagship platform, the MTC CEO Summit 2025.
This year’s Summit, themed “Forging ASEAN’s Next Chapter: Malaysian Mid-Tier Companies Driving Resilient and Inclusive Growth,” gathered more than 300 CEOs from the Mid-Tier Companies Development Programme (MTCDP) alumni network together with leaders across Malaysia’s business ecosystem. The gathering showcased a collective commitment to strengthening regional connectivity and accelerating the capabilities of MTCs as ASEAN’s competitive landscape evolves. The event was officiated by YB Senator Datuk Seri Utama Tengku Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz, Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry (MITI), who emphasized the Government’s continued focus on enabling Malaysian enterprises to scale globally.
During his keynote address, Tengku Zafrul highlighted the strategic role of MTCs in Malaysia’s industrial backbone, noting that these companies are defined by agility, innovation, and a strong global orientation. He reiterated that their performance mirrors both the country’s solid economic fundamentals and the strength of public–private collaboration.
Tengku Zafrul during his speech
He further stressed that under the MADANI Economy framework, MTCs carry a dual responsibility: driving national economic expansion while enabling inclusive growth that uplifts local businesses and communities. Their resilience, expanding footprints, and continued investments reflect Malaysia’s ambition for a future-ready, globally integrated, and innovation-led economy.
The Summit also spotlighted fresh insights from the MTCDP Impact Tracking Report 2024, which reaffirmed the expanding global reach and strong performance of Malaysia’s MTCs. Collectively, participating companies recorded RM39.50 billion in annual revenue, including RM22.8 billion from exports, and successfully penetrated 115 international markets, extending beyond traditional trade corridors to destinations such as Mozambique and Seychelles.
Domestically, the report underscored the important spillover effects of MTC growth. More than 11,000 Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) have been empowered through MTC supply chains, with 34% comprising medium-sized enterprises. MTCs also created 6,400 new employment opportunities, of which 69% were high-skilled roles, contributing to Malaysia’s goal of building a competitive and innovation-driven workforce.
A key highlight of the Summit was the graduation of MTCDP Wave 11, marking another milestone in MATRADE’s decade-long journey to develop world-class, export-competitive MTCs. The achievement reinforces the program’s effectiveness in shaping export champions and aligns with the Government’s broader aspiration to catalyze resilient, innovative, and globally competitive enterprises.
Award giving ceremony at the event
Introduced in 2014 as a high-impact initiative under Malaysia’s Development Plan, the MTCDP aims to accelerate the export growth of MTCs and elevate them as regional and global champions. In alignment with the MADANI Economy and the New Industrial Master Plan (NIMP) 2030, MATRADE continues to advance this mission by nurturing companies within high-potential sectors while ensuring balanced, inclusive, and sustainable economic progress.
The MTCDP supports export-oriented MTCs with annual revenues between RM50 million to RM500 million for manufacturing and RM20 million to RM500 million for services. To date, 394 companies have benefited from the program, which provides structured guidance, market access, and export acceleration pathways.
For more details, contact MITI at communication@matrade.gov.my.
