MALAYSIAN SEAFOOD SUPPLIERS RAKE UP DEALS WORTH MILLIONS IN DUBAI

By Muin Abdul Majid

DUBAI, Nov 9 (Bernama) -- Six Malaysian companies which took part in the
Dubai Seafood Expo 2009 here recently recorded an estimated US$4.9 million in
confirmed and potential sales.

The Fisheries Development Authority of Malaysia (LKIM) said it was
encouraged by the result, noting that this would bode well for efforts to
further penetrate the Middle East market.

"Based on the outcome of the exhibition, I think that the Middle East,
including the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states, holds great potential for
seafood products from Malaysia," LKIM director-general Mustafa Ahmad told
Bernama.

Mustafa had led a delegation comprising representatives from the National
Fishermen's Association of Malaysia, Ambang Wibawa Sdn Bhd, Seiko Marine
Products Sdn Bhd, Ocean Pac Sdn Bhd, Golden Fresh Sdn Bhd and Butterworth
Iceworks Sdn Bhd.

According to him, potential traders and buyers from the Middle East will be
invited to participate in a seafood exhibition in Malaysia next year.

"We'll arrange visits to our seafood processing plants to enable them to
have a closer look at our production processes in the hope that this will result
in further business transactions," he said.

Mustafa advised Malaysian seafood producers to show unparalleled commitment
to quality in their bid to spread their wings abroad.

"They must strive to fulfil the European Union and other international
standards to go further afield," he said.

Supporting Mustafa's sentiment, Malaysian agriculture consul in Dubai, Abdul
Razak Ahmad, said Malaysian seafood suppliers must take advantage of the
voracious appetite for seafood products in the Middle East.

"They should look at this region besides the usual targets like Japan, the
United States and others," he said.
-- BERNAMA