Food Matrade to lead 20 Malaysian firms to Fine Food Australia

The Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation ( Matrade) is spearheading the participation of 20 Malaysian exhibitors to the Fine Food Australia 2014 expo from September 15-18 in Melbourne.

Matrade in a statement said this year marked its ninth participation in the exhibition and the participating companies are involved in confectionery, health supplements, food ingredients, ready-to- eat meals, frozen food, packaging and machinery for the food industry.

Malaysian Trade Commissioner in Melbourne Noor Hayati Abu Noh said rising awareness of Malaysian cuisine in Australia had created high demand for Malaysian food products such as ingredients, confectioneries and frozen food.

This was further supported by the establishment of 200 Malaysian restaurants, located in major Australian cities including Sydney, Melbourne and Perth, she said.

“Matrade also promoting Malaysian cuisine and food products such as sauces and pastes through the Malaysia Kitchen Programme in the Australian market,” she added. Last year, Malaysia exported RM0.92 billion worth of processed food to Australia, and for the JanuaryJune period this yera, exports was valued at RM0.61 billion.

Major export products include food preparations and ingredients, cocoa and cocoa preparations as well as processed seafood.

Australia is Malaysia’s ninth largest trading partner with total bilateral trade worth RM45.7 billion in 2013. For the first half of 2014, total trade rose by 31 per cent to RM27.4 billion from the same period last year.

The implementation of Malaysia– Australia Free Trade Agreement in 2013 has provided immense opportunities for Malaysian goods and services to enter into the dynamic Australian market. — Bernama