Matrade Increases Sales Target For China-ASEAN Expo

KUALA LUMPUR, May 9 (Bernama) -- The Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE) is increasing its sales target for the 13th China-ASEAN Expo (CAEXPO) given the strong purchasing power of Chinese consumers and the number of Malaysian exhibitors which had grown to 200 from 150 last year. Project Director, Malaysia Pavilion, Ong Yew Chee said Malaysia recorded tremendous performance at CAEXPO 2015 with 27 per cent growth in sales to US$53.52 million (RM214.61 million) versus US$42.01 million (RM168.57 million) raked in the previous year. "We believe the target can be achieved. "MATRADE will be taking up a bigger space of 10,630 sq ft versus 9,514 sq ft last year, driven by the positive reputation and high demand for Malaysian products and services in China," he told a press conference here Monday on the expo to be held from Sept 23 to Sept 26, 2016 in Nanning, China. "This year, MATRADE has requested an additional 100 booths to cater for the huge demand from Malaysian companies to participate in CAEXPO," he said. Last year, the Malaysia Pavilion consisted of 146 booths. Ong said the Malaysia Pavilion would be divided into six clusters namely food and beverages, health and wellness, lifestyle products, franchising, services and government agencies. Apart from trade, Malaysia would also focus on investment and tourism components, which would be handled by the Malaysian Investment Development Authority and Tourism Malaysia, respectively. To further promote CAEXPO among Malaysian companies, MATRADE and the CAEXPO secretariat would jointly organise road shows in Kuala Lumpur, Kuching (Sarawak), Johor Baharu (Johor) and Sungai Petani (Kedah) beginning May 9 to May 12. -- BERNAMA