POTENTIAL BUSINESS WORTH US$1.86 MIL FROM INCOMING BUYING MISSIONS

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 30 (Bernama) -- Malaysia External Trade Development
Corporation (Matrade) says the Incoming Buying Missions for foreign buyers held
early this month for the local fashion and healthcare sectors saw potential
business worth RM6.3 million (US$1.86 million).

It said the buying mission for the local fashion industry was held from
Nov 4 to 9 in conjunction with the Malaysia International Fashion Week.

One hundred and two business meetings were held with potential business
worth RM3.4 million (about US$1 million) reported by foreign buyers.

Twenty buyers from 10 countries -- Australia, China, Hong Kong, Italy,
Jordan, Kuwait, Taiwan, Thailand, Uzbekistan and Vietnam -- participated in the
buying mission.

The products of interest are haute couture evening dresses, wedding gowns,
ready-to-wear clothes, Muslim swimming wear, shoes, costume jewellery and
accessories.

For the healthcare sector, the buying mission was jointly hosted by
Matrade, Health Ministry and the Association of Private Hospitals of Malaysia in
conjunction with the association's International Healthcare Travel Conference
2009 from Nov 18 to 19.

Focusing on healthcare services, medical and pharmaceutical products, 39
businesses one-on-one business meetings were held with three invited foreign
buyers from Japan and Vietnam and 25 Malaysian healthcare companies, with
potential business worth RM2.9 million (US$855,962).

Medical products and services of interest are condoms, face masks, hand
sanitisers, health-screening packages, medical disposables, medical treatment
for dialysis patients and operation theatre equipment.

Foreign buyers were impressed by the Malaysian Government's commitment and
initiatives to promote the healthcare sector, especially through the
establishment of the Malaysia Healthcare Travel Council.

The council will be launched by Prime Minister Najib Razak next month.

Foreign delegates noted that this new development gave them the confidence
to promote Malaysia as a destination for quality and affordable health tourism.
-- BERNAMA