Press Releases 2014
Malaysian Companies Going Strong at SIAL PARIS 2014
MONDAY, OCTOBER 20, KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE) is spearheading the participation of 34 Malaysian exhibitors at the Salon International de l‘alimentation Paris (SIAL Paris) 2014, which is held from 19 – 23 October 2014 at Paris Nord Villepinte, France. This year marks MATRADE’s 11th participation in SIAL Paris. Malaysian companies joining the trade event include manufacturers of sauces & pastes, spices & condiments, frozen products, ready-to-eat meals, confectionery, snacks, bakery products, beverages as well as palm oil. Major brands such as LINGHAM's, JULIES, HOME SOY/ SOYFRESH and MAMEE will be showcased during this five-day event.
According to Jai Shankar, Malaysian Trade Commissioner in Frankfurt, the Malaysian Pavilion is expected to draw buyers who are seeking F&B products that can serve a wide range of customers' tastes, including those related to Asian, European and fusion cuisines. In addition, more than 150 business meetings have been arranged for Malaysian companies with 35 potential importers during the five-day event.
Traditionally, Malaysia’s participation in SIAL trade fairs has been successful for buyers keen on sourcing from reliable exporters who can deliver in a cost-competitive manner. With the improvement in prevailing market conditions in the EU and surrounding regions, MATRADE expects the overall achievement of Malaysian exhibitors to be better in this year’s edition of SIAL. Apart from focusing on sales, MATRADE is also leveraging on the event to highlight the strength of the Malaysian F&B sector, especially in terms of developing and marketing innovating products.
In 2013, Malaysia exported RM740.4 million worth of processed food to the EU. For the period of January – August 2014, exports was valued at RM574.7 million. Major exports products include cocoa and cocoa preparations, edible products and preparations as well as margarine and shortening.
Held every two years, SIAL Paris is considered as the second largest international specialised trade fair of food and beverages in the world after ANUGA in Cologne, Germany. This year marks its 50th anniversary and is expected to attract over 6,300 exhibitors from 105 countries and over 150,000 visitors from not only the European Union but also from the rest of Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia.
Malaysian Pharmaceutical Companies Make Inroads into the European Market
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2014, KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysian pharmaceutical companies which participated in the recently concluded CPhI 2014 trade fair in Paris, France had successfully generated sales of RM67.8 million. The Malaysian delegation led by Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE) comprised of nine exporters including Ain Medicare Sdn Bhd, CCM Pharmaceuticals Sdn Bhd, Kotra Pharma (M) Sdn Bhd, Medical Devices Corporation Sdn Bhd, Natural Wellness Industries Sdn Bhd, Nasmir Hard Gelatin Capsules Sdn Bhd, Pharmaniaga Manufacturing Berhad , Y.S.P. Industries (M) Sdn Bhd, Xepa-Soul Pattinson (M) Sdn Bhd.
One of the participants, Mr Cheah Ming Loong, General Manager of Kotra Pharma (M) Sdn Bhd commented that CPhI 2014 was definitely worthwhile based on the sales made and leads registered by Malaysian exhibitors. Another participant, Mr Redziwan Saari, General Manager, Business Development of Ain Medicare Sdn Bhd said, “MATRADE’s continuous support for the local pharmaceutical industry would be key for the Malaysian exporters to make further inroads into global marketsâ€.
CPhI trade fair is the largest trade fair in the world for products related to pharmaceutical industry. The 3 days event saw Malaysian exhibitors showcasing pharmaceutical products including intravenous and irrigation solutions, ethical, over the counter (OTC), food and health supplement and peritoneal dialysis solutions.
According to Mr. S. Jai Shankar the Trade Commissioner of MATRADE Frankfurt, the CPhI trade fair is an an important platform for Malaysian companies to further strengthen their market presence in Europe as well as other parts of the world. “The participation also provided Malaysian companies with key insight on the latest trends both from a development as well as marketing perspective. This ensures Malaysian pharmaceutical exporters are able to compete with the best in terms of developing innovative products as well as identifying future market needs,†he added.
This year's edition of CPhI attracted 2,500 exhibitors from more than 140 countries and more than 35,000 trade and business professional visitors. MATRADE will be organising a similar national pavilion at CPhI 2015 to be held in Madrid from 13-15 October 2015.
The global pharmaceutical industry is a US$990 billion industry that continues to grow at a steady rate of 5% per year. Last year, Malaysia’s pharmaceutical exports grew by 2.73% to RM982.1 million. Significant increases were recorded to exports of Malaysian pharmaceutical products to markets such as Indonesia, Myanmar, China, United Kingdom and Saudi Arabia.
MATRADE eTrade Prog to Increase Adoption of E-Commerce Among SMEs to Accelerate Export
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2014, KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE) is striving to be more aggressive in creating greater awareness of its eTrade programme among Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs). The first workshop on eTrade - Enhancing Competitiveness Through e-Commerce Marketplace which was held yesterday at MATRADE provided a good platform for Malaysian SMEs to adopt e-commerce and accelerate their export through participation in the international leading e-marketplaces.
According to Mr. Zulkipli Perai, Senior Director of Exporters Development Division, “Currently only 28% of SMEs have adopted e-Commerce as part of their marketing strategies, and SMEs are encouraged to utilize the e-Commerce to achieve the target of RM60 billion of SMEs contribution to GDP via e-Commerce platform by 2020â€.
“For the first phase of eTrade programme which ends this year, we are targeting to recruit 2,625 SMEs and the eTrade will allows SMEs to be listed with e-commerce marketplaces at a preferred rate. Under the programme, qualified SMEs will be issued an e-voucher worth RM1,000 which can be redeemed to pay part of the subscription fees with approved e-commerce marketplacesâ€, he added.
MATRADE’s first e-marketplace partner, Alibaba.com, through its local agent Panpages Sdn Bhd, gave presentation on Alibaba’s Gold Membership programme which Malaysian SMEs can subscribe to using the e-Voucher issued under eTrade programme. Awareness and recruitment programmes will be organised in Ipoh, Penang, Kuantan, Terengganu, Johor Bahru, Kota Kinabalu, Kuching and Bintulu to reach out to the SMEs.
Further information on eTrade is available on MATRADE portal www.matrade.gov.my/en/etrade. Enquires can be forwarded by email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
MATRADE Championing Malaysian ICT Industry in the UAE
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2014 KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE) will be organising the Malaysia Pavilion at Gulf Information Technology Exhibition (GITEX) from 12 until 16 October 2014 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates as part of its effort to boost exports of the ICT industry. This is the 4th participation organised by MATRADE to showcase and highlight the capabilities of Malaysian companies as a premier source of ICT products and services to the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) market.
A total of 11 Malaysian companies will be participating in the event, offering a wide range of ICT products and services. Among the products and services featured include mobile computing peripherals, IT accessories, mobile application development service, Fleet Management Solutions (FMS), Cold Chain Logistics Solution, investors facilitation services, telecommunications solutions, Automatic Fare Collection System and Point of Sale (POS) Rapid Restaurant Ordering System. Malaysia pavilion will be located at Sheikh Rashid hall, Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre (DICEC).
“We concluded sales of USD200,000 from GITEX 2013 and repeat our participation this year to meet up with existing customers and expecting to meet with more new customers. Our target of sales for this year is USD300,000†claimed Mr Teh Shyong Shern, representative of Bizcode Asia Sdn Bhd at GITEX 2013 and 2014.
Dr Kumarajah Kandiah, Chief Executive Officer of Ornet Sdn Bhd indicated that “We are looking forward to have strong networking opportunities with the people from different region to develop awareness of latest technology development through GITEX as well as to develop our own Malaysian brand for the Middle Eastâ€.
MATRADE Dubai is arranging business meetings for Malaysian exhibitors with potential international partners at the Malaysia Pavilion as well as advertising and promotional activities through various media engagement to promote of Malaysia’s presence at GITEX 2014.
GITEX 2014 is well known as the largest ICT event in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) with this year’s event expected to host more than 3,700 exhibiting companies from 61 countries and 100,000 visitors from 150 countries. It will be a great platform for Malaysia to tap on opportunities within the region that has high ICT demand. Malaysian companies reported RM71.6 million of sales during GITEX 2013 and this year MATRADE is targeting higher sales to be concluded during the 5 days event.
Strengthening Malaysia's Exports of Pharmaceuticals to Europe
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 7, 2014, KUALA LUMPUR: To strengthen Malaysia's exports of pharmaceuticals to Europe, Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE) is coordinating the participation of Malaysian companies in CPhI Worldwide 2014 in Paris, France. This is the third participation by MATRADE in the largest trade fair for pharmaceuticals in the world.
According to Mr Mohamad Sabri Ab. Rahman, Director of Health and Environmental Products & Services Section MATRADE, the event is targeted to generate RM65 million of sales, an increase of nearly 10% compared to last year. CPhI Worldwide 2014 which will kick off today covers all main pharmaceutical product categories including Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs), Generic APIs, Custom Manufacturing, Intermediates, Fine Chemicals, Excipients/Formulation, Finished Dosage, Biopharmaceuticals, General Pharmaceuticals products and Natural Extracts.
A total of 9 Malaysian companies will be participating in the event. One of the Malaysian exhibitors, CCM Pharmaceuticals said they are targeting to meet potential customers/partners, strengthen business relationships as well as showcase their products and services while enhancing their brand on a global scale.
Another participant, Kotra Pharma (M) Sdn. Bhd aims to strengthen its international presence and to explore new opportunities. Mr Cheah Min Loong, the company's General Manager said, The most ideal outcome for us would be to secure a long-term partnership with business sector in the developed countries. Securing these partnerships will be our main focus for participating in this year's event.
Meanwhile for Natural Wellness Industries Sdn Bhd, their objective for participating is to create brand awareness of their products. By participating in this event, the company hopes to get new idea for improving their products line besides helping to understand the global market needs.
MATRADE will continue to promote healthcare products in the international market. The next forthcoming events by MATRADE will see Malaysian companies' participation in MEDICA 2014 in Dusseldorf, Germany from 12-15 November 2014 followed by Arab Health 2015 from 26-29 January 2015 in Dubai, UAE.
