BIG 5 SHOW YIELDS RESULTS FOR MALAYSIAN COMPANIES By Muin Abdul Majid

DUBAI, Dec 5 (Bernama) -- The 39 Malaysian companies which participated in the recently-concluded Big 5 Show dedicated to the building and construction industry here have received confirmed orders amounting to RM3.86 million (1,06 million) as well as RM7.58 million (US$2.08 million) in potential sales.


The Malaysian trade commissioner in the United Arab Emirates (UAE),
Noraslan Hadi Abdul Kadir, said buyers were keen on products such as PVC pipe
fittings, wooden products, sanitary fittings, electrodes, rubber gloves, roller
shutters, decorative plaster, ceramics, machinery, kitchen equipment and others.

He said that during the five-day show from Nov 23, the Malaysian companies
brought here by the Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (Matrade)
received visitors from various countries such as Bahrain, Qatar, Egypt, Lebanon,
Oman, Iran, Turkey, Sudan, Saudi Arabia and Iraq.

"Most of the Malaysian firms made useful contacts in the region which may
lead to long-term business relationships in the future," Noraslan Hadi told
Bernama, adding that Matrade Dubai itself had received more than 550
enquiries.

The event held at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre
was billed as the biggest trade fair in the region dedicated to major sectors
in the building material industry such as water technology and environment, air-
conditioning and refrigeration, glass and metal, cleaning and maintenance, as
well as marble and ceramics.

According to the trade commissioner, it was Malaysia's eighth consecutive
participation in the show as part of its drive to boost exports to the Gulf
region and beyond.

Malaysia is the top exporter to the UAE among Asean countries, with exports
reaching RM10.12 billion in 2007, an increase of 21.7 percent over 2006's
figure of RM8.31 billion.

"Malaysia is widely recognised for its competitiveness in meeting the
world's demand for high quality building materials. Durable, premium quality
and reasonably priced products have found export markets in the Middle East
which depend largely on imports for most of the products," said Noraslan Hadi.

The participating Malaysian companies represented various sections of the
building and construction industry with products such as lubricants, structural
adhesives, portable misting fans, waterproofing products, decorative plaster,
glass fibre, hardwood doors, marble tiles, construction machinery, air
conditioning-related products, water filtration system, biometric security
system, telecommunication towers and so on.

"Malaysian companies should take advantage of the growing demand for
building materials in the UAE where the construction sector has remained
buoyant for the past several years. However, the current global financial
crisis has adversely affected the Arabian Gulf countries as reflected in the
overall business sentiment," said the trade commissioner.

Some of the recent ongoing projects in Dubai include Dubailand, Burj Dubai,
Dubai Lagoon, Business Bay, Dubai Waterfront, The World, The Palm, Dubai
Marina, Dubai Metro, Dubai World Central and others.

"The ongoing projects in Dubai are valued at around US$100 billion
according to industry sources.

Besides, Abu Dhabi and other emirates of the UAE have also launched several
tourism, commercial and housing projects," said Noraslan Hadi.

Several Malaysian companies, including MRCB, Powertek, Tidalmarine
Engineering and IJM Corp, had successfully embarked on construction projects in
the UAE, he added.
-- BERNAMA