MALAYSIA: Hundreds of Malaysians Gather at Mega Trade Exhibition in Nanning
By The Halal Journal Newsdesk (Source: Bernama) published 8 months ago
Original Article Source: Bernama
By Jeffri Mohd Rafiee
Hundreds of Malaysians from both the public and private sectors have gathered here to join their Asean counterparts for one of the largest trade exhibitions in China.
Many arrived yesterday onboard a chartered flight from the KL International Airport while some travelled from their stations in other parts of China.
In the eighth edition of the China-Asean Expo (CAEXPO 2011), Malaysia is the Country of Honour and will play host to the opening ceremony on Oct 21.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak and International Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed are expected to fly in for the event.
Sixteen government agencies are represented in the six-day expo.
Among them are the Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE), Malaysian Industrial Development Authority, Halal Development Corporation and the Federal Agriculture Marketing Authority.
The 132 companies include some of the big names, such as Sime Darby Bhd, Berjaya Corporation Bhd, KPJ Healthcare Bhd, Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd and Nagamas International Bhd.
Of the total company participants, 51 are food and beverage producers while 36 are involved in health and wellness, nine in lifestyle, 12 in professional services and general products, two in franchising, two in healthcare, 11 in environmental services and green products and five in education.
MATRADE Chief Executive Officer Dr Wong Lai Sum said many more were interested to participate but space was limited.
"Picking who to go can be a tough call sometimes. We select a company based on what the market is interested in terms of securing them. That means export opportunities," she said in a pre-departure interview.
She said of the all companies that made it this year, 35 per cent were repeat exhibitors.
Besides goods and services in the Malaysia Pavilion, Malaysia will also promote tourism at its City of Charm Pavilion. This time Malaysia will showcase Johor Baharu after Melaka last year and Kuching in 2009.