M'sian F&B Products Get Strong Interest From Thai Buyers

KUALA LUMPUR, July 29 (Bernama) -- Malaysian food and beverage (F&B) products received strong interest from buyers in Thailand during the Border Trade Fair in Songkhla, with business matching efforts concluded total sales of US$1.12 million (RM4.28 million). Held in June 2015, a total of 14 Malaysian companies from states of Perlis, Kedah, Kelantan, Penang and Melaka participated in the event. "The event was organised to embody the Thai Government's strong commitment in promoting border trade activities especially with the announcement of the first phase of Special Economic Zones in five areas, one of which is Sadao, Songkhla Province," Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (Matrade) Trade Commissioner in Bangkok, Niqman Rafaee Mohd Sahar, said in a statement here, Wednesday. Matrade also took the initiatives to host a business talk session with Central Group representatives (Southern Branch) that was held at the Consulate General Office of Malaysia in Songkhla. Central Group is the owner of the Central Festival Mall Hatyai and the group is the largest supermarket chain with 150 stores operating across Thailand. A business networking session was also organised with other retail players in the Southern Province such as Odean Mall, Diana Mall and Members of the Songkhla Chamber of Commerce with Malaysian suppliers. The Border Trade Fair in Songkhla had attracted the participation of companies in the areas of F&B, lifestyle, beauty care and cosmetics, tourism as well as the halal industry. Products showcased were agricultural products, food processing, furnishings – handicrafts and art articles, household products, fashion and accessories, cosmetics, jewelleries and gifts as well as services sector. In 2014, Malaysia's total border trade with Thailand amounted to 507.6 billion baht (about US$15.3 billion), or about 61.4 per cent of bilateral trade between both countries. "With positive growth in border trade activities and increasing business interest, more opportunities can be explored between the two nations. Southern Provinces in Thailand are considered a good entry hub for Malaysian products and services into Thailand’s huge market," Niqman Rafaee said. Last year, Thailand was Malaysia’s fifth most important trading partner and ranked second among the ASEAN Countries. -- BERNAMA