LUCRATIVE MARKET FOR M'SIA'S GIFTS AND PREMIUMS INDUSTRY

KUALA LUMPUR, May 20 (Bernama) -- Malaysia's export of gifts and premiums
increased by 5.7 percent to RM5.32 billion (US$1=RM3.54) in 2008 from the RM5.03
billion of the previous year, the Deputy Minister of International Trade and
Industry, Jacob Dungau Sagan said Wednesday.

Imports increased by 16 percent to RM7.22 billion from RM6.19 billion in
2007, the deputy minister said in his keynote address after officiating the
Malaysian International Gift and Premium Exhibition 2009 (MIGP 2009), here.

According to Sagan, Singapore was the country's largest export market in
2008, accounting for a 26 percent share valued at RM1.8 billion.

This was followed by Japan (15 percent at RM465.7 million) and the United
States (11 percent at RM450.4 million).

"Even though the industry is small, the value of the money involved runs
into billions.

"Due to the global financial crisis, Malaysia's exports of gifts and
premiums decreased by 10 percent to RM1.02 billion for the first three months of
2009, while imports increased by 2.6 percent to RM1.55 billion.

"Gifts and premium should not only be associated with the festive and
holiday season.

"As producers and exporters, we must assume the proactive role in
creating products that suit the taste and preference of customers to create
sustainable demand throughout the year," Sagan said.

Commenting on the MIGP 2009, Sagan said the exhibition provides an excellent
avenue to all gift and premium exhibitors to showcase their products and
services.

"The exhibition has been a platform for many small and medium enterprises
or SMEs, particularly in the gifts and premium industry, to grow over the past
seven years," he added.

Sagan also urged all to utilise the facilities of the Malaysia External
Trade and Development Corporation (Matrade) with a view to further link the
business to the international community.

Sagan said the Market Development Grant (MDG) by Matrade provides a matching
grant to assist SMEs undertake activities for the development of export
markets.

He also disclosed that the MDG had disbursed RM281,222 to 26 companies as of
March 2009 under the category of gifts, souvenirs and jewellery.

Another grant, the Brand Promotion Grant (BPG) that reimburses to a
maximum of RM2 million per company per brand, is applicable for the promotion
and development of brand names owned by Malaysian companies on the global
market.

To date, four companies have obtained a total grant of RM7 million under the
BPG. Among them are Habib Jewels Sdn Bhd, Royal Selangor International Sdn Bhd,
Comyns (M) Sdn Bhd and Arch Collection Sdn Bhd.

-- BERNAMA