Facebook to empower Malaysian SMEs to export overseas with #MadebyMalaysia

Facebook, Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE) and social commerce platform AVANA launched the “Made by Malaysia, Loved by the World” programme, which aims to assist and empower about 2,000 business owners and entrepreneurs across Malaysia to export overseas.The programme is built upon Facebook's marketing solutions and insights, AVANA's e-commerce platform and MATRADE’s experience in bridging Malaysian companies and global markets. #MadeByMalaysia’s curriculum will focus on equipping SMEs to use Facebook and AVANA to attract international customers and educate them on financial resources available from MATRADE's eTRADE program to enable them to export.The training programmes also provide MATRADE a platform to boost awareness of its eTRADE programme, which offers SMEs financial assistance valued at RM5,000. The money can be utilised for the “Made by Malaysia, Loved by the World” programme.Malaysia is the third launch of this programme for Facebook, after successful runs in South Korea and Taiwan. The training programmes will be held in Kota Kinabalu, Kuching, Kuala Lumpur, Georgetown, Johor Bahru, Alor Setar and Kota Bahru.The move is part of Facebook's commitment to helping local SMEs grow. Nicole Tan, Facebook Malaysia's country director, said the company wants to enable connections, not just transactions. With more than 2.2 billion people on Facebook worldwide, the company's goal is to help SMEs find people who share the same passion for their products and services."Already 87 million people on Facebook from around the world are connected to an SME page on Facebook in Malaysia. As people's preferences and purchases become more global, there is tremendous opportunity for Malaysian SMEs to find new customers beyond borders," Tan said.Luqman Adris, CEO and co-founder of AVANA, added that as a homegrown social commerce platform, AVANA understands the challenges and opportunities that local SMEs face in expanding abroad. The company is able to help businesses automate their processes and make better business decisions.