Press Releases 2014
Malaysian Companies Making Inroads into the South America’s Food Market
THURSDAY, 25 SEPTEMBER 2014: The Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE) embarked on a promotion drive in Latin America to generate demand for Malaysian food products. Malaysian companies participated in a Specialised Marketing Mission (SMM) to Peru held in conjunction with ExpoAlimentaria 2014, one of the largest food trade fairs in South America. The event showcased the first Malaysia Pavilion at the exhibition and among the products which were well received during the event included Nata de Coco jelly pudding and beverage as well as cereal bars and marshmallows.
One of the participants, Blossom View Sdn Bhd, said, this event has opened up opportunities for the company in promoting their bird’s nest products to enter the Latin American market, using Peru as the first base. As for Central Vista (M) Sdn Bhd, the mission provided exposure to the company on new markets opportunities and identified new customers for their corn snacks products.
According to MATRADE Trade Commissioner in Chile, Noor Ezzwanee Ahmad, “Malaysian products have potential demand in the Peruvian market due to the unavailability of some of the products which are new to the market. Based on our interactions with visitors and importers of food products, many of them are seeking new products from other countries to be introduced to the region and were asking for more products to be brought in. Among products with potential are confectioneries such as pudding, cakes, biscuits and wafers.â€
Looking at the response received from importers from Peru, Chile, Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, Ecuador and Colombia as well as other international buyers from USA, Canada and the Caribbean countries, ExpoAlimentaria serves as a good platform for Malaysian exporters of food and beverage to venture into Latin American market.
South America imported RM105.6 million of processed food from Malaysia in 2013. Cocoa and cocoa preparation was the largest imports with 32.4% share, followed by margarine and shortening (31.9%) and prepared/ preserved vegetable and fruits (19.5%). At present, most of the supermarkets and grocery chains in South America import 60% of their products. Sales through mass grocery retail outlets are increasing as a result of rising disposable incomes, increasing urbanisation and growing numbers of middle-class working women. The increased import of foreign-made products reflect South American consumers' readiness to experience imported brands. The grocery retail market in Peru is expected to reach RM64.52 billion by 2018.
Malaysia’s Health Products Making Inroads into Hong Kong Sar and China
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2014, KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia’s health products received good response from the recently organised programme by MATRADE. The Specialised Marketing Mission (SMM) on Herbal and Nutraceutical Products in conjunction with the Vitafoods Asia, Hong Kong managed to secure sales amounting to RM7.64 million with 119 business meetings arranged between Malaysian companies and international buyers.
The mission identified opportunities for Malaysian companies to export high potential herbal and nutraceutical products to Hong Kong and China since Hong Kong is known as a gateway to mainland China.
According to MATRADE, “Herbal and supplement products and Functional Food contributed 23.3 per cent of the total sales, followed by health drinks products, 11.5 per cent and skin care & cosmetics products, 6.7 per centâ€.
“From the business meetings arranged, the Malaysian companies also had the opportunities to explore business cooperation with two of the biggest importers in Hong Kong; Fok Hing Co Ltd with 35 Indomarket outlets and Dairy Farm, that operates over 280 Welcome outlets and 350 Manning outletsâ€, MATRADE added.
Malaysian Companies Devour Opportunities in Fine Food Australia
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE) is spearheading the participation of 20 Malaysian exhibitors in Fine Food Australia, which will be held from 15 – 18 September 2014 at Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre. This year marks MATRADE’s 9th participation in Fine Food Australia. Malaysian companies joining the trade event include manufacturers of confectionery, health supplements, food ingredients, ready to eat meals, frozen food as well as packaging and machinery for the food industry.
Fine Food will give a good exposure to these companies about the trends and requirements to export to Australia besides providing good trade opportunities. According to Noor Hayati Abu Noh, Malaysian Trade Commissioner in Melbourne, rising awareness of Malaysian cuisine in Australia has created high demand for Malaysian food products such as ingredients, confectioneries and frozen food. This is further supported by the establishment of over two hundred Malaysian restaurants, located in major Australian cities including Sydney, Melbourne and Perth.
“MATRADE is also promoting Malaysian cuisine and food products such as sauces and pastes through the Malaysia Kitchen Programme in the Australian market.†she said. The products are available in supermarkets such as Coles and Woolworths as well as in independent Asian grocery stores.
In 2013, Malaysia exported RM0.92 billion worth of processed food to Australia. For the period of January – June 2014, exports was valued at RM0.61 billion. Major exports products include food preparations and ingredients, cocoa and cocoa preparations as well as processed seafood.
Australia is Malaysia’s 9th largest trading partner, with total bilateral trade valued at RM45.7 billion in 2013. For the first half of 2014, total trade increased by 31 per cent to RM27.4 billion compared to the same period last year. The implementation of Malaysia – Australia Free Trade Agreement (MAFTA) in 2013 has provided immense opportunities for Malaysian goods and services to enter into the dynamic Australian market.
Opportunities for Malaysian Building Materials Companies in Thailand
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 2014, KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE) is spearheading the participation of Malaysian companies in a Specialised Marketing Mission (SMM) of Building Materials to Bangkok Thailand, from 17 – 19 September 2014. The program is organised in conjunction with the Building Materials Expo Asia 2014 and the Construction & Building Technology Week at Impact Exhibition & Convention Centre, Bangkok, Thailand. This SMM managed to group Malaysian companies involved in manufacturing of aluminium foil, stainless steel products, LED lightings, fencing system, waterproofing materials, Fibreglass Reinforce Plastics (FRP), Spa equipment and adhesive & sealants.
The Specialised Marketing Mission will give good exposures to these companies not only to give them better opportunities to meet directly with potential partners but also to provide them with the latest in trends and requirements to export to Thailand. The SMM is also aimed at promoting Malaysian green building and construction materials.
According to Mr. Niqman Rafaee Mohd Sahar, the Trade Commissioner of MATRADE in Bangkok, greater potential is available in Thailand for green building and construction materials from Malaysia especially with the recent development in Thailand that focuses on clean environment and the use of environmentally friendly materials for buildings. Owners of such building will be eligible for incentives offered by the Thailand Green Building Institute (TGBI) under the so called “TREES Rating Systemâ€.
In 2013, the total market for building materials valued at more than RM35 billion with overall construction and mining sector contributing 4.3% of the Gross Domestic Consumption (GDP). Among the high demand products includes iron and steel related, pipes, sidings, roofing, plastics based products, lighting fixtures, energy savings and green technology products, decorative, tiles and flooring, fixtures and fittings related and others.
Malaysia exported RM1.94 billion worth of building materials products to Thailand in 2013. For the period of January – June 2014, exports was valued at RM1.06 billion. Major exports products include tubes, pipes, iron and steel, wood, simply worked and nails, screws, nuts. In 2013, among ASEAN, Thailand is Malaysia’s 2nd largest trading partner and 2nd largest export destination.
Thailand is Malaysia’s 5th largest trading partner, with total bilateral trade valued at RM78.6 billion in 2013. For the first half of 2014, total trade increased by 5.6 per cent to RM39.9 billion compared to the same period last year.
Establishing Malaysia as a Sourcing Hub for Oil & Gas Industry
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2014, KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE) concluded a specialised mission for the oil & gas sector to Stavanger, Norway. 15 Malaysian oil & gas companies participated in the mission which was held in conjunction with Offshore Northern Seas (ONS) 2014. This year marked MATRADE’s second consecutive participation in the ONS, which also served as a follow-up from the oil & gas mission to Stavanger organised in 2012.
During the 4-day mission, a total of RM528.30 million worth of sales were generated for Waste Heat Recovery Unit (WHRU), accommodation barge, gaskets, metal expansion joints & special valves as well as Engineering, Procurement, Construction, Installation & Commissioning (EPCIC) business. Under the services sector, sales were recorded for geosurvey and geotechnical, pipeline inspection & Non-Destructive Testing (NDT), oil recovery, consultancy and HSE training. MATRADE had arranged 131 business meetings for Malaysian companies participating in the event.
A mission participant, Mr Zamrin Mohamed Daud from Oilfield Technical Inspection Sdn Bhd (OTI) said, “It was a fruitful participation for OTI in the sense that we have managed to identify a few companies that are operating in Central Asia, which we are following up for registration purposes. Hopefully, tangible results can be obtained soon.â€
Mr Badlishah Ahmad Sulaiman from Petronine (M) Sdn Bhd commented, “It was an eye-opening experience attending one the biggest O&G trade exposition, facilitated by MATRADE to expose Malaysian O&G small and medium-sized community to the world. Petronine is fortunate to have met the right people and organisations with regard to what we do specifically in geosciences field.â€
ONS 2014 provided the Malaysian delegation with an overview of the latest oil & gas technologies used in Norway and its surrounding region. The mission delegates also took part in procurement talks from Statoil, A/S Norske Shell, and Aibel AS on ways of supplying to the companies for projects at the Norwegian Continental Shelf (NCS).
Norway’s Exploration & Production (E&P) costs are growing at almost double the rate of inflation, increasing labour, drilling and operating costs. Malaysia could offer an alternative source for supplying quality products and services to Norway’s oil & gas E&P. Malaysia has gained international recognition and established an excellent track record in the global oil & gas industry.
