Datuk Seri Reezal Merican Naina Merican has been appointed chairman of the Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (Matrade).
The announcement on his appointment was posted in Matrade’s Facebook page this morning.
The former Housing and Local Government minister said it was an honour to be given the opportunity.
“With this role, and under the leadership of the Investment, Trade and Industry minister (Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz), we can propel Malaysia’s trade and export performances further, and achieve stronger growth,” Reezal told Twentytwo13.
Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Kuala Lumpur and Selangor (KLSCCCI) president, Datuk Ng Yih Pyng, congratulated Reezal on his appointment.
“His vast government and previous ministerial experience will undoubtedly be useful in his new role as Matrade chairman,” said Ng.
“We look forward to working closely with him, especially to ensure Malaysia’s SMEs (small, and medium-sized enterprises) have a greater presence in the international market. This is especially important as we move from the pandemic.”
As a signatory of several free trade agreements, including the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), and the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), Ng said there are also a lot of markets for Malaysia to tap into.
“With the prime minister just returning from Beijing, we hope there are more things that we can export to China. We are not just looking at bringing investments from China into Malaysia, but also explore how Malaysian businesses can tap into China’s market,” he added.
As an agency under MITI, Matrade’s objectives, among others, are to introduce Malaysian companies to foreign importers seeking Malaysian suppliers, and to undertake activities to promote the export of Malaysian goods and services in overseas markets.
Reezal, 50, was the former MP for Kepala Batas. He failed to defend his seat in the 15th general election. In March, he was appointed to the Umno Supreme Council.
Before joining politics, Reezal was with the Malaysian Industrial Bank Berhad, where he managed accounts related to the manufacturing industry, and later served at KFH Ijarah House, a subsidiary of the Kuwait Investment House.
His political career and experience in government administration began at the age of 27, when he was appointed political secretary to the Women, Family and Community Development minister in 2000.
He subsequently served as political secretary to former prime minister Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, who was then the prime minister and finance minister, between 2003-2009.
In 2013, he was appointed Amanah Raya Berhad chairman. He later served as deputy foreign minister between 2015 and 2018.
During his tenure as deputy foreign minister, Malaysia assumed the chairmanship of Asean in 2015 and led the formal realisation of the regional economic integration of the 10 Asean member states. This facilitated the free flow of trade and investments in the region with a population of over 600 million people, and with a combined GDP of over US$3 billion.
He was appointed Youth and Sports minister in 2020, and Housing and Local Government minister in 2021.
