IT COMPANIES SHOULD VENTURE ABROAD TO GRAB OPPORTUNITIES

From Massita Ahmad

HAMBURG, 11 March (Bernama) –- Local Information Technology (IT)
companies should continue to venture beyond the shores to tap the huge market
potential existing overseas.

Infact, nine local companies currently participating in the five-day CeBIT,
the world's largest trade fair showcasing digital IT and telecommunications
solutions, in Hannover, Germany, clinched sales of RM70.530 million
(US$1=RM3.4).

Consul (Trade)/Senior Trade Commissioner, Malaysia External Trade
Development Corporation (MATRADE), Sabri Abdul Rahman said CeBIT was the best
platform for young start-up IT companies.

"We encourage them to venture out to find buyers. They might not dare to do
so or probably did not know where to go all this while," he told Bernama here on
Wednesday.

MATRADE organised Malaysia's participation at the fair this year.

Cyberview Sdn, apart from taking part in the fair, also sponsored the
participation of Akriz Sdn Bhd, Motiofixo Sdn Bhd, Rapid Matrix Sdn Bhd and
Fabtronic Sdn Bhd.

Others included Celframe Dynamics Sdn Bhd, Strategic Petro Sdn Bhd, ZPMC
Techcon Sdn Bhd and Basis Bay Sdn Bhd.

Except for Cyberview, Basis Bay and Celframe, six other companies
participated for the first time at CeBIT.

Akriz displayed a real size flight simulator, with the state-of-the-art
movement, which was the crowd puller at the Malaysian Pavilion.

Sabri said CeBIT not only exposed the companies to the German market but
also to the entire European and global market.

"We are competing in the IT world. India is strong and China is coming up.

"The global economy is expected to perform better this year with higher
consumer confidence. Therefore, we should not ignore the market. We should
venture more into such markets," he added.

CeBIT is targetted at industy, the wholesale/retail sector, skilled trades,
banks, the services sector, government agencies, science and all users
passionate about technology.

It serves as an international platform for exhibitors to compare notes on
current industry trends besides networking and product presentations.

Sabri was elated that all nine Malaysian companies had already expressed
interest to return for the next CeBIT fair.

"MATRADE is looking forward to help more companies to participate in next
year's CeBIT as many potential buyers visit this trade exhibition," he said.

-– BERNAMA