Participation in trade fairs can help Malaysian firms

21 Jan '13

2 min read

Participation in global trade fairs could help Malaysian textile companies’ better bond with global markets, according to experts.

The comments have come in the back drop of non-participation of Malaysian firms in the recently concluded Heimtextil fair in Frankfurt, Germany.

Heimtextil is the world’s biggest trade fair for home textiles and saw participation of two exhibitors from Thailand, three from Singapore, one from Cambodia, five from Indonesia, seven from Vietnam, 363 from India and 459 from China, alongside 338 participants from Germany.

Bangladesh firms too set up 29 stalls at the fair, along with Hong Kong’s 23 booths, Pakistan’s 214, Japan’s 23, South Korea’s 30, Taiwan’s 59 and Turkey’s 184 stalls, according to Messe Frankfurt.

The cost of participation may seem to be comparatively higher for Malaysian exhibitors, as the fair was being organized in a developed nation, but it is quite justified in view of the advantages like exposure to an astute group of buyers who visit the fair to place bulk orders, a German business management consultant, Reinhardt Schmidt, who also provides advisory to Asean-based firms, told Bernama.

The participation in global fairs could greatly benefit a highly export-oriented economy like Malaysia, Reinhardt added.

Michael Jaenecke, Director for Brand Management (technical textiles) for Messe Frankfurt, organizer of Heimtextil, said Malaysian exhibitors should participate in the fair to enhance their outlook.

He said participation in the fair would help Malaysians recognize and understand the importance of connecting with global markets. Initially, they can opt for small stalls, which are within the range of most of the small Asian firms. This way they can explore new business avenues, he added.

He also said that such global fairs also help a company to improve its marketing and innovation skills, as the fairs serve as a platform where buyers and sellers from all across the globe meet.

Fibre2fashion News Desk - India

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