ELEVEN 1MDS TO BE ESTABLISHED IN IRAN WITHIN NEXT FIVE YEARS, SAYS HDC

CORRECTING FIGURE IN GRAF 2




KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 19 (Bernama) -- Eleven 1Malaysia Departmental Store (1MDS)
will be established in Iran within five years, to help Malaysian companies
penetrate the country's untapped marketplace.

Halal Industry Development Corp (HDC) Chief Executive Officer Jamil Bidin
said the establishment of the departmental stores would be the "jewel in the
crown", for marketing Malaysian halal goods and services to Iran, which is
expected to reach RM$1.85 billion (US$0.58 billion) over the next five years.

"The idea is not only to promote our brands in the Iran. It will also be
a gateway for us to enter the West Asia market," he told a media briefing here
Thursday.

The first 1MDS will be opened at the Tehran Mega Mall in July 2011, with two
more outlets to be established annually, within five years.

Malaysian-based Neguin Group of Companies, the owner of the Tehran Mega Mall
will set up the infrastructure and manage the departmental store, Jamil said.

"Neguin will be a buying house for Malaysian companies. By having Neguin as
the agent, it will be easy for local entrepreneurs to promote their brand in
Iran without having to go there," he explained.

According to Jamil, the departmental store will showcase the Malaysian halal
brand of food and beverages, cosmetics, fashion wear as well as fast-moving
consumer goods.

Elaborating further on the 1MDS, the Executive Director of Neguin Group, Dr
Abdul Rahmad Bidin said, space of 40,000 sq ft within the Tehran Mega Mall will
be set aside for it.

"The space will be allocated for SMEs and retailers interested in promoting
their brand here.

"We have had talks with a few SMEs and retailers while two of the big brands
in Malaysia have confirmed joining the 1MDS," he disclosed.

He has also target to bring at least 20-30 retailers from Malaysia to the
country.

Currently, there are more than 300 retailers in Malaysia like Bonia, Secret
Recipe and Mary Brown.

Meanwhile, Jamil said a conference will be held from Nov 24- 25 here to
offer the opportunities to Malaysian SMEs and provide some insights into the
potential of Iran and the West Asia market.

It will be attended by the top 20 Iranian retailers and buyers, They are
also expected to "meet and match" products and services for the Iranian market.

"A trade export target value of RM35 million (US$11.2 million)is to be
captured at the end of the buying mission. A sales export value target of RM15
million (US$4.83 million) with Neguis is also expected at the showcase," Jamil
said.

The seminar, initiated by the HDC is open to 350 companies, interested in
expanding to the Iranian market.
-- BERNAMA