Short answer — Malaysian marketing agencies commonly help exporters access these export grants and supports (what they cover, who runs them, and how agencies typically fit in):

1. Market Development Grant (MDG) — MATRADE

   • What it is: reimbursable grant for export promotion (lifetime limit RM300,000 for eligible SMEs, professional service providers, associations).
   • Typical marketing costs covered: trade‑fair/exhibition participation (physical or virtual), trade missions, overseas listing fees, promotional materials and digital campaigns tied to export promotion.
   • How agencies help: prepare claims and supporting invoices, design trade‑show booths, run approved digital campaigns, and compile reimbursement dossiers. (MATRADE.gov.my)

2. Services Export Fund (SEF) — MATRADE

   • What it is: reimbursable grant to help Malaysian Service Providers (MSPs) expand overseas (higher per‑company ceilings for eligible service firms).
   • Typical marketing costs covered: speaker/panel participation, promotional events, international tender pursuit, branding and market‑entry marketing for services.
   • How agencies help: position service offerings, produce speaker materials, run targeted campaigns and prepare SEF claims. (MATRADE.gov.my)

3. eTRADE Programme 2.0 — MATRADE (cross‑border eCommerce support)

   • What it is: incentives for onboarding to cross‑border e‑commerce platforms (onboarding allowance) and a Digital Marketing & Training (DMT) scheme (up to RM20,000 per company typically).
   • Typical marketing costs covered: platform onboarding fees, paid digital marketing campaigns for export markets, e‑commerce training.
   • How agencies help: run paid acquisition and marketplace campaigns, optimize listings, provide training evidence for claims and submit reimbursable documents. (MATRADE.gov.my)

4. Malaysia Digital X‑Port Grant (MDXG), Digital Content Grant (DCG), Malaysia Digital Catalyst/Export Grants — MDEC

   • What they are: MDEC grants to support digital/tech companies’ marketing, product commercialisation and export expansion (MDXG: up to 50% of project cost or capped amounts; DCG has marketing & commercialisation funding).
   • Typical marketing costs covered: international digital campaigns, marketing & commercialisation for digital products, global launch activities, influencer/partner marketing for tech/digital offerings.
   • How agencies help: develop export‑ready digital marketing plans, run international performance and influencer campaigns, prepare grant applications and post‑project reporting. (MDEC.my)

How marketing agencies typically support access and claims

• Eligibility checks and match: determine which grant(s) fit the client’s profile and project.
• Application support: write project scopes, prepare budgets and required supporting documents.
• Deliverables & procurement: supply approved marketing deliverables (campaigns, creative, listings, booths, events).
• Claims & reporting: compile invoices, proof of performance (analytics, reach, sales uplift), and final reports for reimbursable grants. (Examples above note reimbursable‑grant models.) (MATRADE.gov.my)

Practical tips

• Grants change and have application windows and portal migrations (e.g., MDG/eTRADE moved to the MADANI Digital Trade Platform in March 2025). Always check the scheme’s current guidelines and deadlines on the agency websites before planning. Agencies usually do this for you but confirm beforehand. (MATRADE.gov.my)

Primary official places to check/apply

• MATRADE (MDG, SEF, eTRADE): MATRADE.gov.my. (MATRADE.gov.my)
• MDEC (MDXG, DCG, MDCG and other digital grants): MDEC.my. (MDEC.my)

If you’d like, I can:

• check which of these grants your company is likely eligible for (tell me your business type, size, and export goal), or
• draft a short list of documents an agency will need to prepare an application/claim.