Dezan Shira & Associates Welcomes the Consulate General of Malaysia and MATRADE to Ho Chi Minh City Office

Ho Chi Minh City, May 13^th, 2025 | Dezan Shira & Associates was delighted to welcome a the Trade Commissioner of the Consulate General of Malaysia and the Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE) to our Ho Chi Minh City office.

Ms. Zaimah Osman, Trade Consul of Malaysia in Ho Chi Minh City; Mr. Firdaus Mohammed, Assistant Consul (Trade); and Mr. Si Sa Vet, Marketing Officer at MATRADE discussed the latest needs and concerns of Malaysian businesses in Vietnam Dezan Shira & Associates Vietnam Country Director Vivie Wei, International Business Advisor for our Malaysia office, Quinn Lu and Marketing Lead, Julia Goeb.

Malaysia-Vietnam Economic Ties are Tightening

Malaysia and Vietnam share a robust and growing economic partnership. In 2024, bilateral trade between the two nations increased by 4.4%, reaching US$18.14 billion (RM83.11 billion). Malaysia’s exports to Vietnam rose by 3.3% to US$11.74 billion, driven by strong demand for electrical and electronic products and petroleum. Conversely, imports from Vietnam increased by 6.4% to US$6.40 billion.

Vietnam ranked as Malaysia’s 11th largest trading partner in 2024, accounting for 2.9% of Malaysia’s total trade. Within ASEAN, Vietnam maintained its position as Malaysia’s 4th largest trading partner, export destination, and source of imports for three consecutive years.

MATRADE’s Role in Promoting Malaysian FDI

MATRADE, under the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry (MITI), plays a pivotal role in promoting Malaysia’s trade and investment agenda globally. The agency supports Malaysian companies in expanding their international footprint by providing market intelligence, facilitating business matching, and promoting strategic partnerships. These efforts are crucial in encouraging outward FDI, enabling Malaysian firms to explore and penetrate high-potential markets like Vietnam.

Collaborative Discussions and Future Initiatives

During the meeting, Dezan Shira & Associates shared insights from its extensive experience supporting foreign investors in Vietnam. Discussions covered market entry strategies, regulatory compliance, local partnership development, and sector-specific opportunities—particularly in manufacturing, logistics, agribusiness, and consumer goods.

We explored potential future collaborations, including organizing targeted business workshops, investor briefings, and information-sharing initiatives tailored to Malaysian companies seeking to enter or expand in Vietnam in addition to serving our existing Malaysian clients on their investment endeavors in Asia.

Quinn Lu, International Business Advisor for Dezshira Malaysia, who joined the meeting on site on her visit to Ho Chi Minh City office summarizes:

“It was great to be able to join this meeting in Ho Chi Minh City and have this meaningful dialogue focused on upcoming collaborations and the exchange of valuable industry insights. As a Malaysian myself, learning more about proactive efforts of the Malaysian government in promoting Malaysian businesses expansions abroad, was a great opportunity. With such a service-oriented and forward-thinking team, I am confident that Malaysia’s trade dynamics will continue to grow and thrive – meanwhile, I also can see how their work can encourage Vietnamese businesses to explore Malaysia as a market and investment destination. Looking forward to be part of the process in both directions!”

Looking Ahead

We extend our sincere appreciation to the Consulate General of Malaysia and MATRADE for their visit and engaging discussions.
If you are interested in learning more about Vietnam’s vibrant business environment get in touch here: vietnam@dezshira.com
Investors looking into Malaysia for expanding their operations can directly get a first consultation from our advisor at malaysia@dezshira.com
For more information about opportunities for Malaysian firms overseas, connect with your closest Matrade office or reach out to our respective on-the-ground team.

Further resources:

• Investing in Malaysia – Key Sectors and Opportunities for Foreign Investors
• Selling to the Vietnam Market: Winning Strategies for Foreign Retailers
• Halal Markets Unveiled: Opportunities in Southeast Asia’s Economic Powerhouses

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