ID :
185453
Tue, 05/31/2011 - 07:50
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/185453
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MATRADE OPENS OFFICE IN POLAND
FRANKFURT, May 31 (Bernama) -- The Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (Matrade) has established a new office in the Polish capital, Warsaw, thus adding a new link to its network of offices around the globe.
Although Matrade has taken the premises for its new office in Warsaw and the representation is already working since May 3, it will be fully operational effective June 16.
"Warsaw is an important venue for us. Poland is a vibrant place and is the only country not affected by the downturn which has affected other parts of Europe.
"It is also a strong market with a population of 40 million. Over and above, Poland's influence has been steadily increasing in the European Union.
"It is scheduled to assume the presidency of the European Commission in June 2011," said the Matrade Commissioner in Poland Wan Azhamuddin Hj Jusoh in an interview with Bernama.
The new office will also endeavour to diversify Malaysia's exports to Eastern Europe by using Poland as the distribution centre for that region.
The new Matrade representation will, initially, have a staff of four, and have a jurisdiction comprising Hungary, Czech Republic, Bosnia and Macedonia.
Asked on the rationale behind opening a new office in an East European country, Wan Azhamuddin said that his office would promote Malaysian products and services to the East European region, using Poland as a strategic location.
"We are in Poland to break into the bigger EU market. There are a number of products that could be marketed in Poland and other countries.
"Confectionery, for example, is a product that can find good market here. Being a major producer of furniture in Europe, Poland would find it attractive to buy furniture parts and components from Malaysia," he added.
The new office has clearly set its eyes on the constituency of players in areas such as shipping and logistics in which Polish companies have carved out a niche for themselves. Indeed, Poland is also renowned for its ship-building industry.
"I intend to visit Gdansk which has a strong ship-building industry," Wan Azhammudin added.
Poland is Malaysia's leading trading partner in Eastern Europe.
Malaysia's exports to Poland recorded an impressive 28.42 per cent growth in 2010, which Wan Azhammudin interpreted as an "indication of confidence for Malaysian products amongst Polish importers".
Citing the figures released by the World Trade Atlas, the Matrade
commissioner said total imports by Poland from Malaysia had touched 244.20 million Euro in 2010, up from 190.20 million Euro in 2009.
Indeed, total trade between the two countries amounted to 400.76 million Euro in 2010, compared to 327.17 million Euro in 2009.
Poland's major exports to Malaysia include vehicles, tools, machinery and electrical machinery products.
Malaysia's major exports to Poland include machinery, electrical machinery, rubber, palm oil, and iron and steel products.
In addition to maintaining a global network of full-fledged offices, Matrade also has eight marketing offices worldwide.
Unlike most Central and East European countries, Poland is not a landlocked country and has a long coastline in the northern part.
Furthermore, the improving infrastructure of the country makes it easier to reach many neighbouring or nearby countries by road, thus underscoring the importance of Poland as an ideal location for establishing regional distribution centres.
Malaysia is acutely aware that other Asian countries are aggressively promoting their commercial interests in Poland.
Competition from the rest of Asia will come, primarily, from Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam, China, India, Pakistan and Taiwan which maintain a strong presence in Poland and use it as a gateway to the EU and neighbouring countries.
Although Matrade has taken the premises for its new office in Warsaw and the representation is already working since May 3, it will be fully operational effective June 16.
"Warsaw is an important venue for us. Poland is a vibrant place and is the only country not affected by the downturn which has affected other parts of Europe.
"It is also a strong market with a population of 40 million. Over and above, Poland's influence has been steadily increasing in the European Union.
"It is scheduled to assume the presidency of the European Commission in June 2011," said the Matrade Commissioner in Poland Wan Azhamuddin Hj Jusoh in an interview with Bernama.
The new office will also endeavour to diversify Malaysia's exports to Eastern Europe by using Poland as the distribution centre for that region.
The new Matrade representation will, initially, have a staff of four, and have a jurisdiction comprising Hungary, Czech Republic, Bosnia and Macedonia.
Asked on the rationale behind opening a new office in an East European country, Wan Azhamuddin said that his office would promote Malaysian products and services to the East European region, using Poland as a strategic location.
"We are in Poland to break into the bigger EU market. There are a number of products that could be marketed in Poland and other countries.
"Confectionery, for example, is a product that can find good market here. Being a major producer of furniture in Europe, Poland would find it attractive to buy furniture parts and components from Malaysia," he added.
The new office has clearly set its eyes on the constituency of players in areas such as shipping and logistics in which Polish companies have carved out a niche for themselves. Indeed, Poland is also renowned for its ship-building industry.
"I intend to visit Gdansk which has a strong ship-building industry," Wan Azhammudin added.
Poland is Malaysia's leading trading partner in Eastern Europe.
Malaysia's exports to Poland recorded an impressive 28.42 per cent growth in 2010, which Wan Azhammudin interpreted as an "indication of confidence for Malaysian products amongst Polish importers".
Citing the figures released by the World Trade Atlas, the Matrade
commissioner said total imports by Poland from Malaysia had touched 244.20 million Euro in 2010, up from 190.20 million Euro in 2009.
Indeed, total trade between the two countries amounted to 400.76 million Euro in 2010, compared to 327.17 million Euro in 2009.
Poland's major exports to Malaysia include vehicles, tools, machinery and electrical machinery products.
Malaysia's major exports to Poland include machinery, electrical machinery, rubber, palm oil, and iron and steel products.
In addition to maintaining a global network of full-fledged offices, Matrade also has eight marketing offices worldwide.
Unlike most Central and East European countries, Poland is not a landlocked country and has a long coastline in the northern part.
Furthermore, the improving infrastructure of the country makes it easier to reach many neighbouring or nearby countries by road, thus underscoring the importance of Poland as an ideal location for establishing regional distribution centres.
Malaysia is acutely aware that other Asian countries are aggressively promoting their commercial interests in Poland.
Competition from the rest of Asia will come, primarily, from Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam, China, India, Pakistan and Taiwan which maintain a strong presence in Poland and use it as a gateway to the EU and neighbouring countries.
