Bernama.com (Malaysian National News Agency), 2 November, 2006

Companies Invited To Join Trade Mission To US

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 2 (Bernama) -- Malaysian companies are invited to participate in the Malaysian trade and investment mission to the United States from Nov 27 to Dec 6, 2006.

The mission, to be led by International Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Rafidah Aziz, will cover the cities of Philadelphia, Chicago and Phoenix.

"The mission aims to attract US companies to invest and seek business opportunities in Malaysia," Malaysian Industrial Development Authority (MIDA)'s director for the foreign investment promotion division, Afifuddin Abdul Kadir, told Bernama here Thursday.

He said it would also enable Malaysian companies to establish business contacts and marketing network with US businessmen as well as getting buyers for Malaysian-made products.

The trade and investment mission is jointly organised by MIDA and Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (Matrade).

In conjunction with the mission, Rafidah will address the US business community at a seminar on "Business Opportunities in Malaysia" to be held in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on Nov 28, Chicago, Illinois, on Nov 30 and Phoenix, Arizona, on Dec 4.

Afifuddin said each of the three states has its own strength in particular areas of industries.

Among the industries targeted in the state of Pennsylvania are electronics, integrated bio-pharma manufacturing, biotech research and manufacturing related services sector.

The main industries in the state of Illinois include food, chemicals, non-electrical machinery, fabricated metal products, transportation equipment, telecommunication, information technology (IT), electronics and biotechnology.

The state of Arizona, meanwhile, is known for its aerospace industry, electronics which include semiconductors, computer hardware and software, electronic equipment and medical devices.

Afifuddin said the Malaysian delegation would comprise senior officials and representatives of the federal and state government agencies while more than 30 companies are expected to participate in the mission as delegation members.

To facilitate business collaboration between the Malaysian delegation members and their US counterparts, business meetings will be organised during the mission.

Companies interested to participate can register online before Nov 10, 2006, at www.mida.gov.my or contact Mohamad Ismail Abu Bakar, MIDA, at Tel: 03-22673409 or ismail@mida.gov.my or Siti Azlina Mohd Ali Hanafiah, Matrade, at Tel: 03-26163436 or azlina@matrade.gov.my

-- BERNAMA