SINGAPORE: The Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (Matrade) is set to organise a leading general trade exhibition in the Asean region, International Trade (Intrade) Malaysia, in Kuala Lumpur from Nov 22 to 24 this year.
In its fifth year since inauguration in 2007, Intrade is open only to trade visitors, featuring Malaysia’s export-ready products and services from 10 selected industry clusters.
The 10 industry clusters to be highlighted at Intrade this year are automotive; electrical & electronics; food & beverage; furniture & interior; gifts, souvenirs, handicraft & jewellery; health, pharmaceutical, cosmetics & personal care; information & communication technology; machinery & equipment; professional & business services; and wood products.
Naim Abdul Rahman, Malaysia trade commissioner to Singapore said, “Singapore and Malaysia enjoy strong historic, economic and trade links.
“Malaysia is Singapore’s largest trading partner either globally or within Asean,” he told Bernama.
Last year, the value of trade between the two countries was US$47.5 billion.
Singapore’s total trade value with Asean registered a growth of 21 per cent at US$180.9 billion in 2010, thanks to the full implementation of zero tariff rates on virtually all imports under the Asean Free Trade Area (AFTA) enforced at the beginning of last year.
Growth in intra-Asean trade could be the push factor for Singapore companies to consider Intrade as an ideal platform to participate as exhibitors to showcase their capabilities or buyers to seek products and services from Malaysia.
Matrade Singapore will organise a buying mission for Singapore companies wishing to source Malaysian products and services during the exhibition.
Incoming buying mission remains a key feature of Intrade Malaysia.
Over 400 companies from 51 countries participated in the buying mission last year.
Naim said Intrade would also host two parallel shows namely the Kuala Lumpur International Trade Forum (KLITF) and FTA @ Intrade programme.
These events aim to assist and educate exhibitors and visitors alike on opportunities arising from various FTAs, important business aspects, tools and organizations that can assist them in international trade.
“Last year’s edition recorded participation of 8,400 visitors, 749 trade participants, 342 exhibitors, 7,000 business meetings, 77 participating countries and potential sales of RM4.2 billion and Matrade as the organiser expect a 10-per cent increase this year,” Naim said. — Bernama