By Nur Hanini Mohd Hanif
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE) expects to breach RM102.6 million sales for this year’s Malaysia Services Exhibition (MSE) and Showcase in Yangon, Myanmar.
According to MATRADE director of cross-border division, Amran Yem said the progressive reformation of Myanmar's government provides opportunities for Malaysian companies to venture into the country.
At this third series of MSE and Showcase, MATRADE is aiming to increase the potential of Malaysian services and products in Myanmar as the opportunities there are very encouraging, said Amran.
Previously, the MSE in Myanmar generated sales of RM83.98 million and RM102.6 million, in 2012 and 2013, respectively.
During the media briefing for the event, Amran said a total of 70 Malaysian companies have confirmed to take part in the even, with 35 companies from the services clusters and another 35 from products clusters. These include franchise, education, oil&gas, automotive and healthcare products.
Amran said last year, Malaysian investment into Myanmar was about RM50 million, in sectors like automotive and education. He said Malaysia hopes more investments are expected in oil&gas, education, franchise and healthcare sectors.
"As an emerging market, MATRADE thinks that Malaysian companies either from services or product sector should seriously look into the opportunities in Myanmar," he said, adding the oil&gas and infrastructure for tourism will be good opportunity for Malaysian companies, besides supplying their products in Myanmar.
Ministry of Domestic Trade, Co-operatives and Consurmerism’s senior principle assistant director of franchise development division, Ismainur Hadi Amat Bakeron, who was also at the briefing, said the ministry is focusing more on the food and beverage franchise in Myanmar.
He said currently, there are four Malaysian franchises in Myanmar, and the ministry is aiming for another five.
Also at the media briefing were delegates of the upcoming MSE and Showcase in Myanmar including Hyrax Oil assistant general manager Ahmad Hafiz Zainol Abidin, National Assoction of Women Entreprenuers of Malaysia president Sarojini Ruth Rajahser, Universiti Tun Abdul Razak’s deputy director of centre for executive education, Assoc. Prof. Dr Pua Eng Teck, and Lincoln University College pro chancellor Datuk Dr. Bibi Florina Abdullah.
The third series of MSE and Showcase in Myanmar will be held at Tatmadaw Hall, Yangon from October 1 to 4 2014.