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Last Updated: Sep 25th, 2006 - 11:36:04 |
The Malaysian government through the Department of Agriculture and Agro-Based Industries have reaffirmed their commitment to promote the agriculture and agro-based industry as the third engine of national growth.
Speaking during the official launch of the 7th Malaysia International Food & Beverage Trade Fair 2006 (MIFB) and the 2nd Malaysian Agro Bio Business Conference here in Kuala Lumpur today, Deputy Minister of International Trade and Industry Malaysia Dato’ Mah Siew Keong highlighted strong participation from the region in the trade show as proof of his department’s successful promotion of this commitment.
“This year’s event, having attracted strong participation from the region, especially from the two great contingents led by their respective ministry of agriculture, especially China and India, has shown that our strong promotion of the agriculture and agro-based industry as the third engine of our national growth has been successful,” he said.
He noted that China for instance, will lead for the first time ever the largest trade mission to ASEAN bringing over 60 entrepreneurs within the local agriculture and food industry. India also has a strong presence at MIFB 2006 having led by their Agriculture Ministry and Food Processing Ministry. Dato’ Mah also added that their presence here, along with so many others from the region, has indirectly endorsed the government’s efforts to be a regional player in this field.
“The annual food and beverage gathering has grown from strength to strength, to highlight the entire spectrum of the Malaysian food and beverage industry, showcasing all the potential and strength of Malaysia has to offer in this growing field,” he said.
Malaysia’s multicultural society and strong positioning as a global trading nation also serves as a generous platform to explore the multi billion food and beverage industry, according to Dato’ Mah. He also highlighted that the event is well-timed especially with the recent implementation of the Ninth Malaysia Plan (9MP).
“The 9MP has placed focus to revive the supposedly sunset industry in Malaysia into a vibrant engine of economic growth driving the agro bio industries to a higher level, thus contributing significantly to the country’s GDP. The agro bio industry is well focussed on wealth creation through innovation with profitability as the main objective,” he said.
Dato’ Mah also highlighted that the agro-bio business includes all agriculture and biological activities, from production to marketing of agriculture and bio products and value added market oriented products. He said three main areas of focus have been identified by his ministry in the 9MP to move the economy up the value chain, including:
i. increasing productivity, competitiveness and value add in agriculture,
ii. generate new sources of wealth in technology and biotechnology, and
iii. expand the market for agriculture products and services.
“There are plenty of good incentives allocated to the agriculture sector through the various ministries in the 9MP, so I urge all interested entrepreneurs to contact the various agencies for more information on grants and funds they can apply for increasing agriculture productivity in value added products,” Dato’ Mah added.
MIFB 2006 will also ride on the growing momentum and interest on Halal food, products and opportunities by creating a platform to address the commercial value of Halal products as well as identify opportunities to penetrate for local food and beverage manufacturers.
Participants to the 7th Malaysia International Food & Beverage Trade Fair 2006 will also get to participate in the largest business matching session with over 300 local and international organisations and at least 500 one-to-one business matching session is targeted during the three-day event.
Last year, over 13,000 visitors, mostly decision makers from 45 countries attended the event. This year, the event organisers hope to receive more than 15,000 trade visitors from at least 40 countries. The ongoing event is held at the Putra World Trade Centre in Kuala Lumpur until this Saturday, 15 July 2006.
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