Brunei is set to host the first Malaysia Showcase 2010 from tomorrow to March 7 at the ICC in Berakas. This was revealed during a press conference yesterday at the Malaysian High Commission in Jalan Kebangsaan.
Present during the event were Dato' Ku Jaafar Ku Shaari, Malaysian High Commissioner to Brunei Darussalam and Datuk Hj Rahmat Ismail, the Chairman of Eventneka Sdn Bhd.
Also in attendance were the Director of Tourism Malaysia stationed in Brunei, Jamilah Abd Halim, Mr William Ng, Managing Director of Eventneka Sdn Bhd and Mior Mahathir, the Senior Exec Business Development of Setia Haruman Sdn Bhd (Cyberjaya Multimedia Super Corridor).
MATRADE and Tourism Malaysia, together with Malaysia Healthcare Travel Council and Enterprise Asia, are supporting and participating in the programme.
It is organised by Eventneka Sdn Bhd, a Malaysia-based event management company and, according to sources, it has already been given the green light by the Malaysian High Commissioner in Brunei.
The first of a series of regional road shows, which will cover the whole of Asean, as well as the Middle East and India, Malaysia Showcase 2010 highlights the country's products and services, technological capabilities, and attractiveness as an investment and tourism destination.
The first exhibition and trade mission in Brunei comprises 60 companies in Malaysia, in six themed clusters, including the Cuti-Cuti Malaysian Products and Malaysia Food Bazaar, Investment in Malaysia Seminar, Malaysia Services, Buy Malaysian Products and Malaysia Healthcare Seminar.
Some of its key exhibitors include Setia Haruman Sdn Bhd, Cyberview Sdn Bhd, CCM Berhad, Maybank, Proton and Lembaga Koko Malaysia.
Speaking to the local media was William Ng, who said, "More than 120-strong
business contingents from Malaysia will take part in the event, which is expected to attract some 20,000 trade visitors and consumers from Brunei. The next stop for the Malaysian Showcase will be in Indonesia."
During the press conference, Dato' Ku Jaafar Ku Shaari added that this is an opportunity for Malaysian companies to tap into the growing and underserved Brunei market.
"The trade value between Malaysia and Brunei up to November 2009 is valued at RM1.84 billion, while Malaysia is the third largest exporter to Brunei after the UK and Singapore. We have also received a total 1.06 million tourist arrivals from Brunei in 2009.
"Brunei is Malaysia's fourth biggest tourist group. There is immense opportunity to grow this further and seal our position as a leading business partner with Brunei, which has long and cordial ties with Malaysia."
Meanwhile, Datuk Hj Rahmat Ismail said, "The event is an excellent opportunity for Malaysian companies to combine our resources and know-how with Bruneian counterparts to bring businesses in both countries to greater heights."
In conjunction with the exhibition, a seminar on Investment in Malaysia and Malaysia Healthcare will be held on March 6 at the ICC.
There will also be an extensive list of activities, which include a food festival tourism bazaar, product launches, business-matching and artiste appearances as well as attractive prizes to be won by visitors during the three-day programme.
Malaysia Showcase 2010 is open to the public between 10am and 10pm on the aforementioned days, while its admission is free.
(Source: Borneo Bulletin, March 7, 2010)
