MALAYSIAN F&B COMPANIES RECORD US$16.2 MLN IN SALES AT GULFOOD 2011

KUALA LUMPUR, March 10 (Bernama) -- Malaysian food and beverage (F&B)
companies achieved sales of US$16.2 million through their participation at the
recently concluded Gulfood 2011 exhibition in Dubai.

"Fifty-four Malaysian F&B companies took part in the four-day event from Feb
27 and targeted at the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region," the Malaysia
External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE) said in a statement Thursday.

The companies were led by MATRADE which said an additional US$28.5 million
in potential sales is currently being negotiated.

"The GCC F&B market offers a tremendous export opportunity for Malaysian
companies wishing to enter this market," said MATRADE Chief Executive Officer,
Noharuddin Nordin.

Malaysia's exports of processed foods to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) last
year rose to RM227.3 million (US$75.76 million) from the RM214 million (US$71.3
million) recorded in 2009.