DHL Express Malaysia launches new program for SMEs

DHL Express announces a new program called GoTrade in Malaysia to help small and medium-sized businesses thrive via exports. The project will also provide company owners with practical knowledge and resources to help them negotiate the hurdles of shipping overseas and entering international markets.

"Trade is a key driver of economic development and is especially crucial now, as the global market is on the road to recovery from the pandemic," said Julian Neo, managing director, DHL Express Malaysia and Brunei. "However, administrative, technical, and regulatory barriers to entry can hamper SMEs from expanding overseas. GoTrade marks our efforts to mitigate these bottlenecks by leveraging public and private sector cooperation as well as our industry expertise and capabilities. As a result, we can contribute to the success of the communities we serve in line with our purpose of connecting people and improving lives."

GoTrade is one of Deutsche Post DHL Group's four social impact programmes. GoTeach (youth employability), GoHelp (disaster management), and GoGreen are the other three (climate protection). All illustrate the Group's commitment to attaining the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals by focusing on the environment, social responsibility, and corporate governance in its global business choices and operations.

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) form the backbone of the local economy, accounting for 98.5 percent of all firms and employing 48 percent of the workforce. Nonetheless, the contribution to overall exports remains low at only 18%, indicating a largely untapped promise. According to studies, organisations that engage in global commerce are 8.5 percent less likely to fail, 21% more productive, and pay up to 19% higher salaries than those that do not.

GoTrade has a network of 14 partners to help participating companies at various stages of their globalisation journeys: financing (TFX Islamic, Funding Societies, and Vynn Capital), packaging (Ranpak, Anfotec, and M Force), photography (Noissues and One DMP Enterprise), graphic design (Brandripe), and e-commerce solutions (Brandripe) (Meekco.Asia, Everpeaks, Akros One Solution, Vlan Asia, and Megamail).

The programme also includes a series of webinars in which business owners may learn how to implement digital transformation, appeal to foreign audiences, and develop export plans with the help of trade professionals both within and outside of DHL. Peer-to-peer sharing sessions, lead exchange events, and partnership with government agencies on trade support for SMEs are also in the works.