Iran a good market for Malaysian goods, says Matrade

DUBAI, Oct 12 — Despite the challenges of doing business with Iran, the Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (Matrade) views the Islamic republic as a fertile ground for Malaysian exports.

Matrade's senior trade commissioner based in Dubai, Dzulkifli Mahmud, said Malaysian exports to the Islamic republic were valued at RM1.19 billion in the first seven months of 2009.
In a further sign of Iranian importers and buyers' growing confidence in high-quality Malaysian products, a Matrade-led Malaysian business delegation succeeded in securing export orders worth RM13.39 million at the just-concluded Ninth Tehran International Industry Fair.

"Most of the Malaysian companies which participated in the fair are new to this market and they're very pleased with the export sales and orders received from Iranian buyers," Dzulkifli told Bernama on the outcome of the Oct 6 to 9 trade fair organised in the Iranian capital.

Malaysia exported RM2.45 billion worth of products to Iran last year. A total of 28 Malaysian companies took part in the exhibition which also marked the fifth participation by Matrade since 2005.

Among Malaysian products which had been well-received by Iranian buyers included building materials, vacuum cleaners, wooden items, industrial rubber products, agriculture pumps, chemicals for oil and gas sector, brake pads and rubber autoparts, solar water heater and car accessories.

"Matrade sees the prospect of exporting more products from Malaysia to the Iranian market as very bright. Iranian buyers now look at Malaysia as a country to source high quality products and services," Dzulkifli said.

He said the Matrade office would continue to assist Malaysian companies in penetrating the Iranian market comprising around 70 million people, 2.6 times the size of Malaysia's population.

"The Iranian market is a growing market and there's good demand locally for consumer products imported from overseas," he said, adding that Iranian buyers preferred high-quality and value-for-money products. — Bernama

From HERE