MATRADE CONDUCTS FRUITFUL MARKETING MISSION TO UZBEKISTAN, KAZAKHSTAN

DUBAI, Oct 28 (Bernama) -- A specialised marketing mission undertaken
by the Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (Matrade) to
Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan recently yielded RM190 million in actual and
potential sales.

Fifteen Malaysian companies took part in the mission aimed at
exploring business opportunities in the Commonwealth of Independence
Countries (CIS) market that include the two countries.

"This is in line with Malaysia's export promotion strategies of
diversifying into newly emerging markets for Malaysian products and
services," said International Trade and Industry Ministry (MITI)
secretary-general Abdul Rahman Mamat.

A total of 283 business meetings involving 208 Uzbek and Kazakh
companies were held during the Oct 20-22 mission to Tashkent in
Uzbekistan followed by Almaty in Kazakhstan on Oct 22-24.

Sales were generated mainly in wooden and plastic furniture, palm oil
and palm oil-based products, automotive parts and components, engineering
products and waste management services.

Two memoranda of understanding were also inked for the provision of a
waste management system and power transformers in the two countries.

A statement from Matrade Dubai office said feedback gathered during
the mission pointed to great potential for exports of Malaysian products
and services to CIS countries, particularly food items, household
products, engineering products, automotive parts and components as well
as logistics and tourism services.

It said MITI and its agencies may consider organising an exhibition
in the CIS region to further promote and showcase Malaysian products and
services.

-- BERNAMA