MATRADE'S IRAN MISSIONS SECURE RM23.69 MILLION IN SALES

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 13 (Bernama) -- Malaysia External Trade Development
Corporation's (Matrade) recent trade missions to Iran have resulted in RM23.69
million in sales of Malaysian goods in Iran's automotive parts, building
materials, chemicals and industrial rubber parts sectors.


The missions comprised a specialised marketing mission (SMM) for the
automotive sector to Tehran (Oct 5-7) and the Matrade-led Malaysian delegation
to the 9th Tehran International Industry Fair or TIIF (Oct 6-9).

The SMM resulted in RM10.3 million in sales of automotive parts to Iranian
auto parts importers and car manufacturers while sales at the TIIF event
amounted to RM13.39 million in consumer and industrial products, Matrade said in
a statement TUesday.

Iran is Malaysia's third largest trading partner in the Middle East.

Malaysian exports to Iran reached RM1.19 billion for the first seven months
of 2009 and for the whole of 2008, exports were worth RM2.45 billion.
(US$1=RM3.40)

Commenting on the SMM, Matrade's chief executive officer Noharuddin Nordin
said the outcome of this first auto parts mission to Iran was encouraging
since Iranian car manufacturers were looking at foreign parts suppliers to meet
their local demand.

"Malaysian companies stand to gain based on our track record and high
quality products supplying to car manufacturers in the Asean market," he said.

Eight Malaysian companies comprising manufacturers of plastic parts
components, alloy wheels, automotive accessories, automotive parts design house,
auto lights system and after-sales market products participated in the three-day
SMM.

Malaysian delegates had one-on-one business meetings with representatives
from Iran's two leading cars manufacturers, Iran Khodro and Saipa, as well as
Iranian auto parts vendors.

Currently, Iran's automotive industry is manufacturing vehicles based on
Peugeot, Renault, Kia and Hyundai models as well as local brands Samand and
Khodro.

On the 9th TIFF event which Matrade was participating for the fifth time
since 2005, 28 Malaysian companies were involved in the exhibition.

Malaysian products on display included building materials, vacuum cleaners,
wooden items, industrial rubber products, agricultural pumps, chemicals for oil
and gas, castor wheels, brake pads and rubber autoparts, solar water heaters and
car accessories which received favourable response from Iranian buyers.

"Matrade sees the prospect of exporting more Malaysian products to the
Iranian market as very bright," said Noharuddin.

He said Malaysian companies must continue to serve this market through
regular market visits and participation in trade events in Iran as he foresees
more Iranian buyers visiting Malaysia.
-- BERNAMA