Malaysian F&B Products Gaining Popularity in the Southern Thailand Market
WEDNESDAY, JULY 29, 2015, KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysian food and beverage (F&B) products received strong interest from Thailand buyers during the recent Border Trade Fair in Songkhla held in June 2015. A total of 14 Malaysian companies from Perlis, Kedah, Kelantan, Penang and Melaka had participated in the event.
According to Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE) Bangkok’s Trade Commissioner, Mr. Niqman Rafaee Mohd Sahar, “The event was organised to embody Thai Government’s strong commitment in promoting border trade activities especially with the current announcement of the 1st Phase of The Special Economic Zones in 5 areas, one of which includes Sadao, Songkhla Province.”
MATRADE also took the initiatives to host a business talk session with Central Group representatives (Southern Branch) that was held at the Consulate General Office of Malaysia in Songkhla. Central Group is the owner of the Central Festival Mall Hatyai and the group is the largest supermarket chain with 150 stores operating across Thailand. A business networking session was also organised with other retail players in the Southern Province such as ODEAN Mall, DIANA Mall and Members of the Songkhla Chamber of Commerce with Malaysian suppliers. The business matching efforts concluded with total sales of RM4.28 million generated by Malaysian companies.
The Border Trade Fair in Songkhla had attracted the participation of companies in the areas of F&B, lifestyles, beauty care and cosmetics, tourism as well as Halal industry. Products showcased were agricultural products, food processing, furnishings – handicrafts & art articles, household products, fashion & accessories, cosmetics, jewelries & gifts as well as services sector. Complementing Malaysian companies’ participation were companies from the Southern Provinces (Narathiwat, Pattani, Yala, Satun, and Songkhla) and from Northern, North-Eastern and Central of Thailand.
In 2014, Malaysia’s total border trade with Thailand amounted to THB507.6 billion or about USD15.3 billion (about 61.4 percent) of bilateral trade between both countries. With positive growth in border trade activities and increasing business interest, more opportunities can be explored between the two nations. Southern Provinces in Thailand are considered a good entry hub for our Malaysian products/services into Thailand’s huge market. In 2014, Thailand is Malaysia’s 5th most important trading partner and ranked 2nd within ASEAN Countries
