TAP BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES IN YEMEN, MALAYSIAN SMEs TOLD

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 13 (Bernama) -- Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) are
encouraged to participate the upcoming Malaysia-Yemen Festival (MYF)2010 to be
held in Sana'a, Yemen, from March 17 to 20.

The event, organised by the Malay Chamber of Commerce Malaysia (MCCM), will
provide opportunities for Malaysian entrepreneurs to explore business
opportunities and new market in Yemen, said its president Syed Ali Alattas.

"There are a lot of opportunities for Malaysian SMEs to tap into this
market. Yemen is still an undiscovered country, a place full of opportunities
where investors can be pioneers," he said after the MYF 2010 launch ceremony
here Tuesday.

Syed Ali said MCCM expects about 100 Malaysian companies to participate in
the four-day event, showcasing Malaysian products and services, and business
matching and networking between businessmen and industry players of the two
countries.

Earlier, International Trade and Industry Minister Mustapa
Mohamed said Malaysia's trade performance with Yemen had been on a positive
trend, with double-digit growth over the years.

Malaysia's total trade volume with Yemen increased by more than 10-fold to
US$401.8 million in 2008 from US$47.7 million in 1990, he said.

Major exports from Malaysia are iron and steel products, palm oil, wood
products and processed food while imports from Yemen are mostly crude petroleum,
and seafood and metal products.

"Potential exists in Yemen for exports which include medical products and
pharmaceuticals, agriculture equipment, food and oil and gas machinery," Mustapa
said.

"Services such as banking, electrical power and tourism present various
opportunities for cooperation," he said.

To date, Malaysian investments in Yemen are valued at US$15.5 million,
mainly in mining and quarrying activities.

-- BERNAMA