Singapore Firms To Participate In IBM At Intrade Malaysia 2011

By Tengku Noor Shamsiah Tengku Abdullah SINGAPORE, Nov 4 (Bernama) -- Eighteen Singapore companies will participate in the Matrade Incoming Buying Mission (IBM), to be held in conjunction with Intrade Malaysia 2011 in Kuala Lumpur from Nov 22-24. Malaysia External Trade Development Corp (Matrade), Trade Commissioner for Singapore, Naim Abdul Rahman said: "This year, the 18 Singapore buying companies will join around 500 qualified buyers, coming from all over the world. "In terms of numbers, Singapore is a major buyers delegation at Intrade," he told Bernama here on Friday. He was speaking after a buyers networking session cum pre-departure briefing for the participating companies here. He said the networking session was part of Matrade Singapore's ongoing efforts to promote networking and close relations with companies in the republic, especially importers and buyers of Malaysian products and services. "We have been doing this for Intrade, in particular, for the past five years. "Today's event is to brief them (the companies) about the logistics requirements during Intrade 2011," he added. Naim said Matrade is assisting genuine companies, seriously looking for products and services from Malaysia during Intrade, by covering certain costs to participate in the programme. He said Matrade had put in much effort to ensure buyers - especially for Matrade Singapore - cooperate by providing good feedback not only during the programme but also upon their return. He said Matrade had all this while been arranging thousands of business meetings. "Last year alone, we organised more than 7,000 business meetings between Malaysian suppliers and foreign buyers. "We expect to reach this number again this year," he added. Touching on the interest among the buying delegation, Naim said since Intrade is a general trade exhibition, there could be a mix of Singapore buyers. "We have some buyers looking for food, plastics and timber-based products as well as engineering parts and components." He said the Singapore buyers are also open to offers for other products, especially green or innovative products, with market potential. "There are also Singapore companies looking for herbal-based products especially, health supplements," he added. Meanwhile, Naim said Malaysian companies can leverage on their Singapore counterparts to expand their overseas markets. "This can be within Asean, the Asia Pacific or other regional market," he added. Naim said Matrade organised Intrade specifically to promote trade within the Asean region. "But for the buying mission, we are bringing in buyers from all over the world," he added. --BERNAMA Malaysia