GUJARATI EXPORTERS COMING TO MALAYSIA TO RECOUP LOST MARKET

By P.Vijian

NEW DELHI, March 17 (Bernama)-- Gujarat-based chemical exporters will be
visiting Malaysia and other Southeast Asian capitals to recoup the lost trade
due to the economic lull, and see a 25 per cent growth this year from the
region.

Trying to reverse the negative trend, about 20 companies, specialising in
dye, dye intermediates, basic chemicals, cosmetics and agro chemicals from
India's western region, would be on a promotional campaign to Kuala Lumpur.

"We lost about 20 per cent business in Southeast Asia due to economic
recession. These are good export markets for us because of the demand for
products like dye and dye intermediates.

"But we are looking at an increasing trend this year and we will be
promoting our products in Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesia," Visalia
Zinzuwadia, regional head of Chemexcil (Basic Chemicals, Pharmaceuticals and
Cosmetics Export Promotion Council) told Bernama.

Indian chemical manufacturers exported to Southeast Asian markets to the
tune of RM293 million (US$1=RM3.3) in 2007, but the figures went down to RM200
million last year.

One of India's oldest cottages industries that have now bloomed into giant
exporters have established a strong foothold in Europe, Japan and the United
States for their chemical-related products, largely in high demand in the
textiles and paper industry.

But they are now trying to position themselves in the regional Asian
markets
that had been their second best.

From March 22-24, Indian companies would host a promotion plus
buyers-sellers meet in a leading hotel in Kuala Lumpur.

--BERNAMA