MATRADE BRINGING IN THAI BUYERS FOR INTRADE MALAYSIA

By Arul Rajoo

BANGKOK, Sept 7 (Bernama) -- The Malaysia External Trade Development
Corporation (Matrade) is organising a business matching programme for companies
based in Thailand to meet Malaysian exporters during the Intrade Malaysia from
November 10 to 12.

Matrade's Trade Commissioner in Thailand, S. Jai Shankar said that the
two-day one-to-one pre-arranged individual business meetings would be held at
Matrade Exhibition & Convention Centre during the largest general trade fair in
Asean.

He said that with the theme "Optimising Global Opportunities", Intrade would
be an effective venue for foreign importers to source Malaysia's wide range of
quality products and services.

"Companies based in Thailand can inform us what type of products they are
looking to source from Malaysia, and we would arrange for them to meet the
potential sellers," he said here Monday.

Malaysia's exports to Thailand for the first six months this year amounted
to US$3.764 billion while imports were US$3.235 billion. Last year, Malaysia's
exports stood at US$9.5 billion while imports came to US$8.9 billion.

Shankar said the targeted sectors are food and beverages, gifts, textiles,
apparels, accessories, jewelleries and household, wood based products including
furniture, rubber and palm oil based products as well as electrical and
electronics.

Besides that, Matrade is also looking at sectors such as information
communications technology, machinery and security items, cosmetics, herbal,
pharmaceutical and medical products, auto and autoparts, building materials,
plastic based products and services sector.

Shankar said participating buyers from Thailand attending the business
meetings and who follow the official programme are entitled to free
accommodation up to a maximum five days.

He said interested Thai companies could contact Matrade office based at the
Malaysian Embassy here (02-6792190 ext 2209), his email address at
jai@matrade.gov.my or seek more information at
.
-- BERNAMA