News From : DagangHalal.com (12 Jun 2009)
Taipei, June 11 (CNA) Abdullah Mohd Salleh, president of the Taipei-based Malaysian Friendship and Trade Center (MFTC) and Malaysia’s top envoy to Taiwan, urged Taiwanese companies Thursday to explore business opportunities in his country and use it as the springboard to the market of the Association for Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) , starting by participating in Malaysia’s trade exhibition later this year.
“Given that Malaysia is considered the commerce center of the ASEAN bloc, INTRADE Malaysia 2009 can also be used as a springboard to penetrate the ASEAN market of 600 million consumers as well as the Middle East markets, especially for Halal products,”said Abdullah at a news conference to promote INTRADE Malaysia, which will take place Nov. 10-12 in Kuala Lumpur for the third consecutive year.
Abdullah said the strong trade and investment relationship between Taiwan and Malaysia has become the foundation for developing cooperation in tourism, education, culture and friendship.
According to Abdullah, the two sides can also cooperate in other sectors, such as construction services, building materials, Islamic finance, Halal products, palm oil-based products, agro-biotechnology, marine, pharmaceutical and tropical medicine.
Muhd Shahrulmiza Zakaria, director of trade at MFTC, said on the same occasion that INTRADE Malaysia is an ideal platform to make new contacts and explore opportunities with business people from various countries.
He noted that last year alone, the trade show was participated by 368 exhibitors from 32 countries and attracted some 4,800 visitors to generate US$60 million in sales and US$ 700 million in following-up business.
“Given the potential opportunities for growth in trade and business in Malaysia, which is strategically located in the ASEAN region, and taking into consideration the difficult times we are in today, it is important for the business community to strengthen their strategic alliances and work together in identifying avenues to enhance commercial collaborations,”Shahrulmiza said.
In 2008, bilateral trade between Taiwan and Malaysia recorded a positive growth of 2.52 percent with total trade valued at US$12.15 billion. Taiwan’s imports from Malaysia increased to US$6.78 billion, a growth of 2.8 percent, while exports to Malaysia increased to US$5.37 billion, a 2.2 percent increase.
Malaysia was Taiwan’s ninth largest trading partner and export destination and its 10th largest source of imports in 2008.
(By Rachel Chan)
Source:Taiwan News
