FORMER minister Reezal Merican Naina Merican has been appointed the ninth chairman of the Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (Matrade) effective immediately.

Reezal was previously housing and local government minister (2021-2022), youth and sports minister (2020-2021), and deputy foreign minister (2015-2018).

Additionally, he chaired Amanah Raya Bhd from 2013 to 2015.

“I am honoured to be given the opportunity to serve as the chairman of Matrade. With this role, combined with Tengku Zafrul Abdul Aziz’s leadership, we can better propel Malaysia’s trade and export performance forward and achieve stronger growth,” he said in a statement today.

Given his extensive experience in international affairs, diplomacy, government administration, and industry relations, he is well-positioned to lead and guide Malaysia’s national trade promotion agenda and facilitate export-oriented investments into the country, Matrade said.

The agency added that his appointment will contribute to the growth and diversification of Malaysia’s exports in new and existing global markets.

Matrade is an International Trade and Investment Ministry agency and is mandated to execute trade promotion and development.

Currently, it has six regional offices in Malaysia and 46 offices worldwide. – Bernama, May 2, 2023.