Press Releases 2014
US FDA Proposed Updates to Nutrition Facts Label on Food Packages
THURSDAY, 27 MARCH 2014, KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE) today released a statement saying that the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently proposed changes on product label of processed food sold in the US market.
The main intention is to educate society on the latest scientific information, including the link between diet and chronic diseases such as obesity and heart disease. The proposed label also would replace out-of-date serving sizes to better align with how much people really eat, and it would feature a fresh design to highlight key parts of the label such as calories and serving sizes. To give more impact on the presentation, the font will be clearer and important nutrition information will be highlighted.
The changes that been proposed by FDA start with information about the amount of added sugars in a food product. Besides, companies need to update serving size requirements to reflect the ideal amounts that should be consume. Companies also need to present dual column labels to indicate both per serving and per package calorie and nutrition information for larger packages. By this effort, companies under FDA able to refresh the format to emphasize certain elements, such as calories, serving sizes and Percent Daily Value, which are important in addressing current public health problems like obesity and heart disease.
MATRADE states that correct nutritional labeling on the packaging is mandatory for all processed food & beverages sold in the USA. Therefore, Malaysian companies that currently exporting or plan to export to the USA in the near future need to fully understand and prepare to make necessary changes on their product labels to suit the requirement.
Based on the proposed time frame, the regulation will be effective 60 days after the date of official announcement by the US FDA. The compliance period will be 2 years after the effective date, so that all companies will have ample time to change the labeling for their products while balancing the need for consumers to have the information in a timely manner.
MATRADE Drives Collaborations in OTC Asia
TUESDAY, 25 MARCH 2014, KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE) drives Malaysian oil & gas companies in forming joint ventures or collaborations with foreign companies during their participation in trade fairs or trade missions. In conjunction with Offshore Technology Conference (OTC) Asia 2014, MATRADE further improved their business platforms by supporting 25 Malaysian oil & gas exhibitors as well as organising the Individual Business Meetings (IBM) on the 25 and 26 March 2014. MATRADE through its international network has invited 25 oil & gas foreign companies to come and meet with the Malaysian oil & gas companies in Kuala Lumpur.
During MATRADE’s participation at OTC Asia 2014, two Malaysian oil & gas companies had signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Japan and UK based companies. The first memorandum was signed between Tekno Logam, Japan Matex Co. Ltd and Neuron Japan Co. Ltd. The three companies had form a joint venture company known as Neutex Advance Engineering Sdn Bhd producing metal expansion joints, gland packing and servicing valve, compressor and pumps. This partnership of producing metal expansion joints is the first ever in Malaysia.
The second MoU was signed between Oilfield Technical Inspection (OTI) and Sky Futures providing Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) services throughout South East Asia. This arrangement will increase OTI’s inspection capabilities and allow both companies to offer their clients extended geographical coverage for their flare stack inspection requirements. Both companies recognized that this agreement will bring significant trading benefits to each other whilst enhancing their respective sales capabilities.
According to MATRADE, this collaborative partnership between Malaysian companies and foreign companies reflects the capabilities and quality of Malaysian products and services.
In addition, MATRADE emphasised that the participation in OTC and IBM programme is an important platform to further promote Malaysian companies and a great pillar for the Malaysia’s Economic Transformation Programme in the oil & gas sector.
Breaking Into the Indonesian Automotive Parts and Components Market
TUESDAY, MARCH 18, KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE) will facilitate the Malaysian participation in The 6th Indonesia International Auto Parts, Accessories and Equip Exhibition 2014 (INAPA), from 19 - 22 March 2014 at Jakarta International Expo (JIExpo)-Kemayoran, Jakarta, Indonesia.
A total of 9 Malaysian exhibitors will be participating for the event. Among the products promote include brake pads, brake shoes, visors, antennas, bulbs, lubricants, steering and suspension parts, screw and bolts, plastic and rubber parts for motorcycles, sensors and camera system for automotive and other parts and components.
MATRADE have arranged more than 170 business meetings for the Malaysian companies during the 4-day event with over 100 potential business partners. INAPA is one of the largest international exhibitions for automotive industry in ASEAN. Indonesia is among the world’s largest consumers in motor vehicles after China and India.
During INAPA, Malaysian exporters will be able to leverage on the one – to – one business meetings arranged for them with the Indonesian importers and distributors. Thus, the prospect for Malaysian exporters to this market remains promising.
This year would be the third participation by MATRADE in INAPA since 2012. In 2013, total sales of RM8.98 million was recorded by Malaysian companies participated under the Malaysian Pavilion. Participation at this exhibition is part of the MATRADE programme to promote Malaysian products and services to ASEAN market.
MATRADE Leading Malaysian ICT Companies at CEBIT 2014
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 19, KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysian companies which participated in the Malaysian pavilion organised by the Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE) at the recently concluded CEBIT 2014 notched sales worth RM86.04 million.
Malaysian products and services that received strong support from the buyer’s community at CEBIT 2014 included encryption technologies, middleware for telecomunication sectors, total solutions involving biometric and RFID related technologies for sector such as logistics, retail and aviation sectors, multimedia content, Internet of Things (IoT) solutions, call centre related solutions, hardware accessories and English language software.
The event which was held at Hannover, Germany from 10-14 March 2014 involved the participation of 14 Malaysian exhibitors. Some of the companies that were participating in the CEBIT trade fair for the second consecutive time included WannaStation.com, Pradotech Corporation, Ocean Wide Service Station, Malaysian Software Testing Board (MSTB) and Bizcode Asia. The rest of the Malaysian companies were Bluedge, Boneybone Ventures, Custommedia, First Online, Grammar Expert, Ireka Soft, Itopia Services, IX Telecom and Verion Research.
According to Mr. Jai Shankar, the Trade Commissioner of MATRADE Frankfurt, CEBIT provides a platform for Malaysian companies to further promote their products and services to European market and serves as a stepping stone for globalization. “It will also give them insight on the latest trends ensuring Malaysian companies do not lag in terms of level of innovation required to succeed commerciallyâ€, he added.
MATRADE marketing networks were done on various levels including through collaboration with other MATRADE offices in Europe such as MATRADE Warsaw, London and Milan as well as close cooperation with selected trade chambers and associations in German and other parts of Europe to bring potential buyers meet Malaysian exporters during CEBIT.
Malaysian Companies Achieved Strong Sales at FOODEX Japan 2014
KUALA LUMPUR, MONDAY, 17 MARCH 2014: A total of 24 Malaysian companies participated under MATRADE’s national pavilion in the recent FOODEX Japan trade fair held from 4 – 7 March reported sales of RM52.75 million. Confectionery products contributed 38.14 percent of the total sales, followed by beverages products, 30.13 percent; and food ingredients, 14.26 per cent.
This year marked MATRADE’s 12th consecutive participation in the event. Malaysia’s national pavilion at FOODEX Japan received a total of 1,790 trade enquiries throughout the four day-event from importers, distributors and procurement centers from Japan and other countries in the region such as China and Korea.
The event which was held in Makuhari Messe, Chiba, Japan was an ideal platform to highlight the strength of the Malaysian F&B sector. For the first time, products from Carotino Sdn. Bhd (premium red palm oil – “CAROTINOâ€), Vistern Health Sdn Bhd (sparkling vinegar drink – “HONEY MART Sparkling Euphoriaâ€) and Agro Jerneh Sdn. Bhd (healthy snack bar – “MOOLA BARâ€) were introduced during ‘Gourmet Beauty Talk Lab†arranged by the organiser in FOODEX. This is a platform provided to National Pavilion organisers which directly reaches buyers through both online and offline medium.
One of the participants under Malaysia’s pavilion, Ms Anna Teo from Hernan Corporation Sdn Bhd said, “This is our second year participation in FOODEX Japan. We managed to obtain buyers from Hong Kong and Canada last year. This year, we have created a new product for Japanese market which is Durian and Chempedak Daifuku and we have received a lot of enquiries from the Japanese buyers.†She added, “FOODEX has given us a platform to enter a new market to promote our Malaysian exotic fruits. We truly appreciate MATRADE’s effort in assisting us.†Another Malaysian participant, Mr. Ng Boon Yeap of Le Bourne Sdn Bhd commented that FOODEX is an excellent gateway to the Japan market.
According to Mr. Kua Kiat Chye, Trade Commissioner of MATRADE Tokyo, Malaysian F&B products are widely accepted in Japan due to its assurance on standard and quality. Apart from competitive pricing, product innovation, attractive packaging and leveraging on Malaysia’s Halal certification, Malaysian companies should also emphasise in positioning their products for the premium market segment. In addition, Malaysian companies should also consider opportunities in Japan’s hospitality sector as the hotels, restaurants and catering services need to meet the growing number of Muslims from Africa, Middle East and Southeast Asia visiting Japan for international conferences, events and holiday destination.
Held annually, FOODEX Japan is one of the largest F&B trade fairs in the Asia Pacific region. This year’s event was participated by 2,808 exhibitors from 78 countries and attracted over 75,766 trade visitors. As such, MATRADE plans to continue organising the participation of Malaysian companies at the FOODEX Japan 2015 which will be held from 3 - 6 March 2015.
