Malaysia Showcases Stationery Products At Frankfurt Paperworld Show

By Manik Mehta FRANKFURT, Jan 31 (Bernama) -- The ongoing four-day "Paperworld" exhibition which showcases paper and stationery products, may have had disappointed some Malaysian and Asian exhibitors because of the declining number of buyers, but most of them put up a brave front and expressed their confidence that business would sooner or later improve. A contingent of 23 Malaysian exhibitors, participating under the Malaysian Pavilion, are showcasing a range of stationery items through office requisites to small office machines. Butterworth-based Yosogo Writing Instruments Sdn Bhd, is showcasing its writing instruments and office requisites which have already made a name in many of the overseas markets. However, the company's latest product called the "magic chalk marker" proved to be a hit with many who were impressed by the "disappearing" ink which could be erased by a magnetic eraser or even by hand. "Our major markets are in the Middle East and Japan, though we also do original equipment manufacturing contracts for companies in Europe and elsewhere. "Since our products are essential items, we have not felt the impact of the turmoil in the Middle East. "However, the appreciation of the US dollar affects our business because our billing is done in US dollars. "Germany is still buying good volume from us despite the Euro's depreciation against the US dollar," said its executive director Eddie Tan in an interview with Bernama. Tan said that he had been attending the Taipei and Hong Kong fairs but the "real action" took place in Frankfurt. "We have also benefited from shows in Frankfurt where you get a good exposure to technology used by competitors in the field, the marketing techniques employed by others and the face-to-face contacts we can establish with buyers," he added. Alor-Gajah based Merge Master (M) Sdn Bhd is showcasing stationery and all kinds of paper requisites for office work at the fair, which ends today. "We received enquiries from new contacts at this show but no orders so far. I suppose the orders could materialise after buyers return home and negotiate prices and other terms. We had buyers from Lebanon and the Gulf countries," said its managing director Steven Siang Teck Siong. Malaysia's exports of envelopes, cards, exercise books and paper folders to Germany increased 34.4 per cent to RM 13.943 million (US$4.581 million) between January and November last year. However, exports of office or school supplies made of plastics declined 18.7 per cent to RM1.121 million (US$368,325) in the same period, according to statistics released by the Malaysia External Trade Development Council (Matrade) office in Frankfurt. Its senior trade commissioner Mohd Sabri Ab Rahman said Malaysian companies were able to stabilise the exports of stationery and related items to Germany despite the economic uncertainties. "I personally believe that the exports of stationery items, both of paper and plastics, can be sustained because these are basic necessities and not luxury items. "It is important that Malaysian companies exhibit their products at such important events and benefit from the technological improvements and marketing techniques of their competitors," he added. -- BERNAMA Malaysia