DAVAO CITY (PIA) -- Mid-tier companies engaged in infrastructure and development projects are seeking market footholds in Davao Region.

 Five Malaysian mid-tier companies, which are into construction, building materials, and renewable energy, were among the delegation in the Market Immersion Mission held in Manila and Davao.

According to Malaysian External Trade Development Corporation (Matrade) Commissioner Intan Zalani, the mid-tier companies visit to Davao is a follow-up to the 2019 event, which was participated in by Malaysian small and medium-scale enterprise (SME) level companies and was dubbed an export acceleration mission.

 “In this one, we are focusing more on mid-tier companies. These mid-tier companies are at a higher level than SMEs; they are already exporting to other countries, and they are very capable. That is why we bring them here because we know there are so many opportunities here, especially in the construction and building material sector,” Zalani said.

Matrade is the national trade promotion agency under the Malaysian Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry (MITI). 

Matrade has a program for Malaysian mid-tier companies that includes exposure to other countries like the Philippines for market prospects.

“Some of the Malaysian companies are doing agribusiness and also agri-technology. We also have one of the biggest makers of building materials. They have a factory here, and we also have a number of players, in fact one of our biggest banks, Maybank. They have their presence here as well. We hope that this event will kick start what we did back in 2019, so hopefully this will bring more opportunities as well, especially for Malaysia to connect with the business community here in Davao,” Zalani said.

Aside from construction and infrastructure, Zalani said they are eyeing opportunities in information and communication technology (ICT), the halal industry, and tourism.

During the market immersion event held on March 12 at Dusit Thani Davao, the Davao counterparts presented an overview of the smart city initiative and current infrastructure, as well as  renewable energy projects being done in Davao City and the rest of Region XI. The event was capped by a one-on-one business matching session participated in by the four visiting Malaysian mid-tier companies and the Davao business community. (RGA/PIA Davao)