• SME News
Malaysian Firms Vie To Seal Deals At Gulfood 2010 In Dubai
DUBAI, Feb 24 (Bernama) -- The Malaysia pavilion at the Gulfood 2010 exhibition is a hive of activity over the past few days with 60 Malaysian food-related companies vying to seal deals with potential buyers in a bid to expand their presense in the Middle East market and beyond.
The Malaysian effort is being spearheaded by the Malaysia External Trade Development Corp (Matrade) Dubai. Also taking part are six entrepreneurs under the Yayasan Pembangunan Usahawan Terengganu, led by State Rural, Entrepreneur and Cooperatives Development Committee chairman, Datuk Mohamed Awang Tera.
Malaysia's trade commissioner in Dubai, Datuk Dzulkifli Mahmud, lauded Terengganu's participation in the show, billed as the Middle East's largest trade-only event for the food, beverage and hospitality industry.
"Other states should consider taking part in similar events to help boost Malaysia's exports of food products as well as provide a platform for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to penetrate overseas markets," he told Bernama.
Malaysian companies taking part in Gulfood 2010 at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre are offering various products such as organic food, fruits, palm oil-based products, energy drinks, health supplements, packaging materials and a wide array of fresh and frozen food items.
Dzulkifli said traders and buyers from all over the world were converging on the exhibition, something that should be taken advantage of by the Malaysian exhibitors.
He said they should also leverage on Malaysia's well-known association with halal products. The trade commissioner said Matrade Dubai was always ready to help Malaysian companies, including SMEs, penetrate markets in the Middle East as well as neighbouring regions.
"My advice to them is that they must be ready for export, and on our part, Matrade is ready to provide all necessary advice to enable them to do so," he said.
Malaysia's food product exports to the United Arab Emirates fell from RM381 million in 2008 to RM214 million in 2009 due to the economic slowdown. Dzulkifli, however, was optimistic that Malaysian companies would still be able to make inroads in the region despite the current economic situation. -- BERNAMA
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