MALAYSIA TO BE JOTUN'S MANUFACTURING HUB IN SOUTH-EAST ASIA

SHAH ALAM (Malaysia), March 10 (Bernama) -- Malaysia will be the South-East
Asian manufacturing hub for Norwegian-owned Jotun (M) Sdn Bhd's most advanced
product lines after the completion of its new plant in Nilai.

Its regional director for South-East Asia and managing director for
Malaysia, Peder Bohlin, said these included colour tinters and high-technology
anti-fouling marine paints, which were applied to deep-sea shipping vessels.

He said Malaysia would also be its research and development centre for Asia.

"The RM160 million (US$1=RM3.4) factory is expected to double production to
60 million litres from 30 million litres of paints and coatings.

"The plant, which is 4.5 times larger than its present Shah Alam, will
employ 150 workers when it begins operation early 2011," he said after the
unveiling of the model of the plant by Norwegian Crown Prince Haakon Magnus and
Crown Princess Mette-Marit here Wednesday.

Also present was its Minister of Trade and Industries, Trond Giske.

Bohlin said in line with the expansion, Jotun aimed to introduce more paints
to increase its share in the local market this year, which was worth RM1.1
billion annually.

Last year, it introduced a new paint, Jotashield Extreme.

With the launch, he said, Jotun was set for a double-digit growth in the
exterior paints category in Malaysia this year, which was currently estimated to
be worth some RM400 million.

"This is why we are extremely confident of recording double-digit growth in
the paints category and increasing our market share to 20 per cent," he said.
Last year, Jotun Malaysia recorded a turnover of RM295 million.

-- BERNAMA