INTRADE MALAYSIA 2009 EXPECTS 8,000 TRADE VISITORS

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 10 (Bernama) -- The Third International Trade Malaysia
Exhibition (Intrade Malaysia 2009), which started Tuesday, is expected to
attract about 8,000 international and local trade visitors over the next three
days.

Representing 11 main industry sectors, the exhibitors at Intrade are
showcasing a wide range of products and services which include automotive parts
and components, medical devices and healthcare services, and industrial
components.

Also on display are machinery, equipment and parts, building materials,
electrical products, and information and communications technology (ICT)
products and services.

The exhibition is organised by the Malaysia External Trade Development
Corporation (Matrade).

Matrade chief executive officer Noharuddin Nordin said the online
pre-registrations to visit the three-day showcase had been extremely encouraging
with more than 4,000 pre-registered trade visitors.

"Feedback received from pre-registered visitors indicated that they are
optimistic of the business opportunities abound in the Asean region despite the
challenging global economic landscape," he said.

Besides the exhibition, Matrade is organising the incoming buying mission
programme on Nov 10 and 11, providing one-on-one business matching sessions
between exhibitors and international trade buyers.

Norharuddin said the programme has attracted more than 750 international
buyers from around the world, exceeding the target of 500 buyers this year.

Themed "Optimising Global Opportunities", Intrade Malaysia 2009 will also
feature a total of 111 foreign companies.

Prime Minister Najib Razak said in his opening address Tuesday that the
launch of Intrade came at a pivotal time in economic history.

"The signals are mixed. In the United States, for example, while the worst
of the crisis in the housing and banking sectors appears to have passed, there
are no signs of an upturn in the wider economy," he said.

The text of his speech was read by International Trade and Industry Minister
Mustapa Mohamed.

Najib said Malaysia had moved quickly to put in place a stimulus package to
protect its economy and prevent it from entering into a free fall.

"The challenge for us now is to ensure that this recovery is sustained and
allow the stimulus package to work its way to give the economy the ballast it
needs," he said.
-- BERNAMA