Malaysia's Import Of Food Processing Machinery May Hit US$409.57 Million This Year

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 14 (Bernama) -- Growing population and demand for quality food are set to spur Malaysia's import of food processing and packaging machinery by 5-10 per cent or up to US$37.41 million (RM154.42 million) this year from US$373.15 million (US$1.54 billion) recorded in 2015. Richard Clemens, Managing Director of Food Processing and Packaging Machinery Association in the German Engineering Federation, said the increase in population, especially the young generation was among the key growth factors for the sector. "Malaysia's processed food industry are (also) increasing, hence, the need for the right technology will be required. We expect strong demand in the country, given the increasing growth trend for the past years," he said. He was speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the 'Interpack 2017' briefing here, Wednesday. Interpack 2017, an international packaging and related process industry trade fair, will be held at the Dusseldorf Exhibition Centre, Germany, on May 4-10, spanning 262,400 square metres of space. Bernd Jablonowski, Portfolio Director for Packaging and Processing of Messe Dusseldorf GmbH, the event organiser, said 12 Malaysian companies would be participating in the trade fair, along with the other 2,700 exhibitors from 60 countries. "Malaysians will occupy over 300 square metres of space, tripling the size of the 2014 edition of 125 square metres. "They (Malaysian exhibitors) are mainly from the packaging and materials industry, which includes cling film provider and conveyor belt producer, among others," he said. In 2014, seven local companies participated in the event. Jablonowski expects the triennial event to draw 170,000 to 175,000 visitors, around the same as the previous edition. --BERNAMA