Honouring Trade
Excellence

Malaysia's National Export Awards

Guided by the tagline “Honouring Excellence, Powering Global Trade,” the awards recognise Malaysia’s most outstanding exporters — celebrating resilience, innovation and measurable success in expanding the nation’s presence on the global stage.

Each category highlights the unique contributions of businesses propelling export growth and advancing Malaysia’s international trade ambitions.

Our Judging Criteria

Using established criteria for each award category, MATRADE identifies top-performing exporters through a rigorous evaluation framework.

Aside from the exporters’ financial performance, such as annual turnover and export revenue, the nominees are evaluated based on the company’s commitment to establishing itself as an export-oriented business, including:

Innovation, Research and Development in relation to Exports

–  Adoption of new technologies

–  New product development / Patents and Intellectual Property

–  Integration of ESG practices in export development

–  Company’s participation in Matrade’s Export Promotion Programme

Local Industry Development

–  Contribution towards the overall local industries in Malaysia via export activities

–  Development of job opportunities

The evaluation process will be independently verified by our appointed auditor, BDO Malaysia, ensuring transparency and merit-based recognition in line with global best practices.

Best Exporter – Large Companies

Recognising large Malaysian corporations (over RM500 million in revenue) that demonstrate outstanding export revenue growth, global market presence, and strong sustainability credentials.

Criteria for selection of top 10 companies:

  • Above RM500 million revenue
  • Highest export revenue growth in the last 3 years
  • Implements global sustainability standards and best practices.

Best Exporter – Multinational Companies

Honouring MNCs with regional hubs in Malaysia that record significant annual exports (RM100 million and above) and contribute to Malaysia’s international trade landscape.

Criteria for selection of top 10 companies :

  • Non-Malaysian companies with operations in multiple countries, with a regional hub in Malaysia
  • Minimum RM100 million in annual exports

Best Exporter – Mid Tier Companies

Celebrating mid-sized Malaysian businesses with exceptional export growth, job creation, and active participation in MATRADE’s Mid-Tier Companies Development Programme (MTCDP).

Criteria for selection of top 10 companies :

  • Highest export revenue growth in the last 3 years
  • Companies with revenue between RM50m – RM500m for Product, or RM20m – RM500m for Services
  • Employee headcount (Job creation)
  • Participated in Mid-Tier Companies Development Programme (MTCDP)

Best SME Exporter – Emerging

Highlighting promising SMEs that have been exporting for less than five years, showing consistent year-on-year growth of at least 15% and strong export potential.

Criteria for selection of top 10 companies:

  • For SMEs with less than 5 years in exports
  • Minimum 15% YoY growth

Best SME Exporter –Bumiputera

Recognising high-performing Bumiputera-owned SMEs with strong export revenue growth and consistent contributions to Malaysia’s trade ecosystem.

Criteria for selection of top 10 companies:

  • Highest export revenue growth in the last 3 years
  • Top-performing Bumiputera exporters

Best SME Exporter – Youth

Awarded to export-focused businesses led by Malaysian entrepreneurs under 40, who have driven export performance over the past three years.

Criteria for selection of top 10 companies :

  • Youth-led export businesses (Young entrepreneurs under 40 at time of close of nominations*)
  • The participant must be a Malaysian citizen, who is the founder/owner of the company, responsible for the company’s recent exporting business performance for at least the immediate past three (3) years
    *as defined by Youth Society and Development Act 2007 and the National Youth Development Policy (Link)

Best SME Exporter – Women

Celebrating women-led SMEs in Malaysia where a female founder, owner, or CEO has been instrumental in driving the company’s export success over the last three years.

Criteria for selection of top 10 companies :

  • Women-led export businesses (The female participant must be a Malaysian citizen.
  • Female participant who is the founder/owner of the company; or
  • Head of the company (i.e. Managing Director, CEO (to choose 1 only)) responsible for the company’s recent exporting business performance for at least the immediate past three (3) years)