MALAYSIAN COMPANIES SET FOR FINE FOOD BONANZA

By Neville D'Cruz

MELBOURNE, Sept 20 (Bernama) -- Malaysian exhibitors at the four-day Fine Food
Australia 2010 here have returned home highly pleased after chalking up
potential sales worth a total of RM23 million (US$7.402 million), including
on-the-spot signing of orders worth RM4.5 million. (US$1=RM3.10)

"This is a good result considering buyers are cautious and conservative in the
wake of the global financial meltdown," Sydney-based Malaysian Trade
Commissioner Ong Yew Chee told Bernama Sunday.

Ong said the presence of exhibitors from several low-cost Asian countries at the
fair made prices very competitive.

"But buyers know our products are superior and our suppliers reliable, so we
have the edge," he added.

Ong said the Malaysian exhibitors should be proud of their product
presentation and the one-on-one meetings with prospective buyers. "Our team was
impressive," he said.

Last year Malaysian companies generated about RM18.72 million at the Fine Food
Australia in Sydney.

Malaysian products that attracted interest were disposable and plastic and foam
containers and plates, miscellaneous food, snacks and confectionery, processed
seafood, beverages, pastries, cooking oil and food flavours.

Several of the 16 Malaysian companies at this year's fine food showcase were
taking part for the first time and were happy they came.

"The Australian market is very interesting and I am confident my Malay Tea will
be popular," said Safinah Yaakob, chief executive of Warisan Asal Sdn Bhd.

"This my first time in Australia. We did not know anybody before we came here,
but we were so surprised to meet many people at the Fine Food Australia who had
been to my Malay Tea House in Malaysia.

"They want Malay Tea to be available in Australia and I will be working on
this," she said.

Another newcomer was BeisPro Sdn Bhd, producer of a wide range of halal finger
food, including curry puff, popiah and kuih bakar.

"We were thrilled when we signed up three agents as well as negotiating with
five Aussie buyers interested in sourcing our products," BeisPro Managing
Director Robiah Mat told Bernama.

Goh Peng Hwa, manager, Foodvest Industries Sdn Bhd, Penang, said she found
pricing was a problem.

"There are companies from other (Asian) countries selling similar products as
ours at lower prices," she said, "But our products are of better quality, so
it's a matter weather buyers want cheaper or quality products."

Sheikh Ahmad Dusuki, executive director of Muslim Best Food Industries Sdn Bhd,
Puchong, said he was upbeat about the Australian market, considering the Muslim
population in Australia had been increasing in recent years.

The Matrix Group General Manager Geetha Nair said her company's extensive range
of flavours and fragrance products should tantalise the Aussie taste buds.

"We have had many inquiries about our high-quality products and we hope our visit
here will bear fruit."

All Malaysian exhibitors said they were happy with the service and support they
received from Matrade both in Malaysia and Australia.
-- BERNAMA



Delete & Prev | Delete & Next