KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysia External Trade Development Corp (Matrade) has planned 150 programmes to help small and medium enterprises (SMEs) export their products this year, benefiting from the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPPA).

International Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed said, of the total, 85 programmes were trade promotion and the rest exporter development programmes.

"The exporter development programmes will focus on SMEs' export capacity developments and e-Commerce platform, especially in high-value sectors such as oil and gas, aerospace, maritime and medical," he said in reply to the question from Charles Anthony Santiago (DAP-Klang).

Mustapa said they would also be focusing on electric and electronics, construction and social services sectors.

At the same time, he said, Matrade would continue with high-impact programmes - Going Export and Best Export - to ensure SMEs were well-prepared to benefit from the TPPA.

Mustapa said Matrade would also collaborate with SME Bank, Exim Bank, SME Corporation Malaysia and Bumiputera Agenda Steering Unit to provide financial assistance to exporters.

"Matrade will also assist bumiputra SMEs market their products overseas via its 46 offices abroad," he added. - Bernama