On behalf of MATRADE please allow me to record our appreciation to YB Dato’ Mustapa Mohamed, Minister of International Trade and Industry for his presence here today to officiate the opening of International Trade Malaysia, or INTRADE and the Kuala Lumpur International Trade Forum, KLITF 2009 on behalf of the Honourable Prime Minister.  I would like to express our sincere gratitude to Your Highness Sheikha Lubna Al Qasimi, Minister of Foreign Trade United Arab Emirates and her delegation for gracing this event.

2.    To all the foreign Embassies, High Commissions, Trade Promotion Agencies, Chambers of Commerce, Industry Associations and companies that accepted our invitation to participate in INTRADE 2009, please also accept our deepest appreciation for your support and contribution towards making this year’s exhibition and forum a success.

3.    When INTRADE 2009 was soft launched earlier in the year,   MATRADE was not sure what impact the global economic downturn would have on the participation rate this year.  As it turned out, we are very pleased with the overwhelming response from both domestic and international agencies and companies to both the exhibition and inward buying mission programme for international buyers.  This is a clear indication that the business sector sees opportunities in expanding trade and businesses, and is willing to invest in the promotion activities.  Thank you again for your support.

4.    Positioned as the leading general trade fair in ASEAN and continuing on last year’s theme of “Optimising Global Opportunities”, INTRADE 2009 has attracted 342 exhibitors with 70 per cent domestic and 30 per cent international participants.  Representing the interest from 11 main industry sectors, exhibitors at INTRADE will be showcasing a wide range of products and services from automotive parts and components, medical devices and healthcare services, industrial components, machinery, equipment and parts, building materials, electrical products, ICT products and services, household items, food and beverages, garments, fashion accessories and gifts.

5.    This year we have representation from 25 countries including members of ASEAN, UAE, Oman, Turkey, Japan, China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Korea, Macao, Sri Lanka, Timor Leste, Mauritius and Poland.  INTRADE provides an ideal avenue not only to do business within Malaysia but also within the region and beyond.  

6.    To those countries that have participated in the two previous exhibitions, thank you for your continuous support, and to countries participating for the first time, we hope you will find new business opportunities during the exhibition.

7.    I wish to also highlight that this year, the OIC Finance Group has supported the participation of 8 members of OIC to INTRADE as part of efforts to expand intra-OIC trade and business.  We welcome this support and thank the OIC for the recognition given to INTRADE in meeting the organization’s objective.

8.    In addition to the 342 exhibitors at INTRADE, trade visitors will have the opportunity to view a wide range of automotive products and components from more than 50 Malaysian companies displayed at the special Automotive Showcase located at the Malaysia Export Exhibition Centre on the 2nd floor of the INTRADE venue.  The automotive sector is among Malaysia’s leading industries which over the years have expanded their capacity and Malaysia is now a producer of high quality parts and components catering for both the domestic and international markets.

9.    In addition, there are Malaysian products and services of export quality from 340 companies that are showcased at the Malaysia Export Exhibition Centre, MEEC.  This may widen your sourcing interest during your tour of INTRADE.  While INTRADE will be only for three days from November 10th to 12th, the MEEC is a permanent display facility.  

10.    Using its global network of 40 offices, this year, MATRADE has registered the interest of 750 international trade buyers, representing 590 companies, for its inward buying mission that is organized in conjunction with INTRADE 2009.  These buyers are from over 60 countries spanning every continent.  Over the course of this Exhibition, MATRADE has arranged more than 8,000 business meetings between international buyers and Malaysian companies.

11.    A point to note is that this year’s business matching programme sees a higher level of interest in sourcing for more technology-based items, including telecommunications and multimedia devices, precision parts and components for the automotive sector, LED lightings, environmentally-friendly products, medical devices and pharmaceuticals.  This is a positive trend for Malaysian companies as buyers are no longer sourcing for low cost products but increasingly looking for technically superior, high quality and innovative products.  

12.    In addition to international buyers, MATRADE through its media hospitality programme has arranged for members of the media from overseas to cover INTRADE.  Allow me to bid a warm welcome to the foreign media from the USA, India, China, Egypt, Germany, Japan, South Africa, Macau, Thailand, Philippines, Vietnam and Indonesia.

13.    The third Kuala Lumpur International Trade Forum, KLITF will be held day after tomorrow on the 12th of November. MATRADE is delighted that HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS RAJA NAZRIN SHAH IBNI SULTAN AZLAN MUHIBBUDDIN SHAH, THE CROWN PRINCE OF PERAK DARUL RIDZUAN, has accepted our invitation and consented to deliver the Royal Address at the Forum.  We have invited several distinguished speakers from Nestle Malaysia, DCH Logistics Hong Kong, Figaro Coffee Company Philippines and Air Asia X, who will be sharing their experiences and views on gaining “Leadership in the Marketplace through Creativity and Innovation”.  Useful insights into developing strategies to capture the global halal business, identifying new business opportunities and delivering on the brand promise will be shared with participants.  

14.    On that note, Ladies and Gentleman I would like to wish all participants every success in doing business here in Malaysia.  It is my hope to see each and every one of you at this same venue next year. May I take this occasion to wish ALL OF YOU a very pleasant stay in Malaysia.


Thank you.