Asian exhibition gets under way
Staff Reporter
Dignitaries visiting the stalls after opening the exhibition
The Asian Showcase exhibition, which opened yesterday, would serve as a launching-pad for a bigger collaboration in future, the Malaysian ambassador said yesterday. 
Addressing the inaugural ceremony, Ambassador Dato Ku Jaafar Ku Shaari said the exhibition would offer Qataris a better idea of what Malaysian businessmen are capable of doing.
The audience included Minister of State of Interior HE Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa al-Thani, senior bureaucrats, ambassadors and a number of business leaders.
The show was formally opened by chairman of the Qatar Chamber of Commerce and Industry Sheikh Khalifa bin Jassim bin Mohamed al-Thani.
"I am indeed proud to say that the event today is a proof of our seriousness to promote two-way trade and investment between Qatar and Malaysia," the ambassador said.
Two-way trade has consistently improved, he said. For instance, from 1996 to 2005, the total trade between Qatar and Malaysia increased by more than eight fold ? from QR60mn to QR588mn.
Similarly, Malaysia?s total exports have grown by 1,067.8% from QR32mn in 1966 to QR376mn in 2005, while Malaysia?s total imports from Qatar shot up by 645.65% to QR212mn in 2005, from QR29mn in 1996.
Manufactured goods were the main exports to Qatar while crude petroleum products were the principal import by Malaysia from this country.
More than 100 companies from Malaysia and other southeast Asian countries are taking part in the Asian Showcase exhibition, which runs at the Doha Sheraton until January 19.
The exhibition is being organised by the al-Attiyah Group of Marketing and Services and Think Plus Consulting, of Malaysia. The initiative by the private sector is supported by the Malaysian embassy in Doha.
Exhibitors have come from a range of fields and backgrounds. They include construction, building materials, steel, fittings, electricals, furniture, IT, media and communications, aviation, power, energy, security, tourism, education, fabric, and cosmetics.
Also taking part are professional service providers such as planners, architects, designers, engineering and mechanical consultants, landscaping and building maintenance.
The effort is also supported by Malaysian agencies like the Malaysia Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE), National Electricity Board, Media Prime, Tourism Malaysia and the Open University.