Kuala Lumpur: The percentage of women-owned companies in Malaysia remains relatively low compared to other ASEAN countries, standing at about 20 percent or 210,000 companies out of all enterprises in the country. Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz has announced that the government, through the Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE), is committed to increasing this percentage through the implementation of various new programs and policies.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Tengku Zafrul emphasized the government's dedication to enhancing women entrepreneurs' access to international markets. He detailed that the government would provide trade facilities such as MADANI Digital Trade, Malaysia International Halal Showcase (MIHAS), and organize trade missions to numerous countries. These initiatives were announced during the opening ceremony of the Women in Export (WiEX) Forum 2025.
Tengku Zafrul highlighted that the initiatives are open to women entrepreneurs aiming to explore international markets, including emerging markets in West Asia, Africa, and Eastern Europe, which have a significant demand for Malaysian products. He also noted MATRADE's ongoing efforts to monitor the participation of female entrepreneurs in international exhibitions and overseas trade missions to help them become competitive exporters globally.
Furthermore, MATRADE chairman Datuk Seri Reezal Merican Naina Merican pointed out the economic participation of Asian women, which currently stands at only 30 to 35 percent, indicating untapped economic opportunities. To support women-owned companies in the export market, MATRADE has allocated 40 percent of the RM14.89 million in export grants to 6,711 women-owned companies.
Reezal Merican also elaborated on the significance of the WiEX Forum as a platform to empower women in the export ecosystem. By 2026, the forum is set to evolve into the Women International Exporters Expo, offering a venue to celebrate and recognize women entrepreneurs aspiring to make a mark on the international stage.
In line with these efforts, MATRADE has launched an e-directory to connect products and services by women-owned companies to a global audience. This platform aims to showcase Malaysian women's products and services, facilitate business collaboration, build international networks, and provide direct access to global markets.
These initiatives align with the National Women's Policy 2025-2030 and sustainable development goals, reflecting the government's unwavering commitment to empowering women in the trade sector. The event also saw the presence of Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, chairman of the Umno Malaysia Women's and Family Affairs Council (HAWA) Tan Sri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil, and MATRADE chief executive officer Datuk Mohd Mustafa Abdul Aziz.