KUALA LUMPUR - Exploration of new and non-traditional markets to safeguard Malaysia's economic and trade interests amid a changing global landscape is a top priority, Investment, Trade and Industry (MITI) Minister Tengku Zafrul Abdul Aziz said here on Tuesday.

To support these efforts, the government will allocate additional funds to support Malaysian companies, particularly small and medium enterprises (SMEs), in breaking into emerging markets, Zafrul told in a press briefing.

"These allocations will provide opportunities for these companies to enter new markets such as Russia, Africa, the Middle East, and South America," he said, adding that Malaysia will seek greater engagement with the BRICS intergovernmental grouping and the Latin American grouping Southern Common Market (Mercosur).

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On measures to address trade disruptions resulting from the policies of the administration of US President Donald Trump, Zafrul said the government's Special Consideration Package aimed at supporting industries affected by global trade shifts is being finalized and will likely be announced by July.