50 Malaysian Companies To Showcase Halal Food Products In Cologne

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 8 (Bernama) -- Fifty Malaysian companies, spearheaded by Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (Matrade), will take part in the ANUGA 2015 trade fair in Cologne, Germany from Oct 10 to 14. ANUGA 2015, a food fair for retail trade and food service and catering market, provides buyers access to made-in-Malaysia halal organic and vegetarian food, and beverages. Held annually, ANUGA is considered the leading and fastest growing food show in Europe and has become a global brand for food players as well as distributors to converge and discuss trade opportunities. Malaysian companies will be showcasing products ranging from frozen food, beverages, processed food, palm oil-based products, and energy food. This is Malaysia's ninth participation in the fair, Matrade Trade Commissioner to Frankfurt Mr. S.Jai Shankar said in a statement Thursday. "Healthy living and lifestyle is big (business) in Europe, including Germany. Health and environmental concerns are important aspects our exporters need to consider when planning to export (their products) to developed markets such as the European Union (EU)," he said. As Germany is one of Malaysia's largest trading partners in the EU, he said Matrade, the national trade promotion agency is confident that Malaysia's participation in trade fairs in the region would ease product entry and market expansion. Matrade has also arranged over 400 one-on-one business meetings between Malaysian exhibitors and European importers at the Malaysia Pavilion. About 6,500 exhibitors from more than 100 countries and over 150,000 trade visitors from 180 countries are expected to attend the exhibition. At the event, Malaysia's Laras Marketing and Services Sdn Bhd will be launching a series of new products that use innovative food technology process to prolong their freshness. Other Malaysian companies taking part, include Halcent International Sdn Bhd and Solution Sdn Bhd. Last year, total trade between Malaysia and Germany amounted to over US$9.69 billion (RM41 billion). (US$1 = RM4.23) Malaysia's exports to Germany totalled RM17.86 billion, while imports amounted to RM23.16 billion. Malaysia's exports of processed food to Germany amounted to RM114 million. Major food products exported to Germany were cocoa and cocoa preparations valued at RM105 million, accounting for 90 per cent of the total exports of processed food. --BERNAMA