The first Malaysia Services Exhibition (MSE 2008) began at Sharjah Expo Centre today (Sunday) under the patronage of Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE).

The event was inaugurated by Sheikh Sultan bin Mohamed Bin Sultan Al Qassimi - Crown Prince of Sharjah, and Dato’ Seri Rafidah Aziz - Malaysian Minister of International Trade and Industry. 

The exhibition and a concurrent forum focussing on the Malaysian services trade will run until January 15, and will showcase the best of Malaysian services, with particular focus on those related to the needs of businesses in the UAE and the Middle East. 

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Minister Dato’ Seri Rafidah Aziz said that the expo's objective was to highlight the strengths of the Malaysian services industry to the Middle East.

'It is in essence, a platform for vendors and suppliers to meet and interact with each other,' she added.

 'Many Malaysian companies have also developed the expertise, capability and capacity to become suppliers of services both for the domestic and overseas markers,” she said. 

She pointed out that the MSE would enhance the visibility of Malaysia as an important and emerging supplier of services in the global market, especially in the GCC region.

'We believe that MSE 2008 is one of the best opportunities for individuals, organisations and governments to leverage on the potential offered by Malaysian service providers,' she stated.     

According to Ahmed Mohammed Al Midfa, Chairman of the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the MSE will enhance the collaborative possibilities between Malaysian service providers and businessmen in the West Asian and surrounding region, especially in areas such as construction, engineering, healthcare and ICT.

Meanwhile, exhibitors are buoyant about the event, and say that it represents an open window into a region that is most in need of their joint services.

In the financial services cluster, Bank Negara Malaysia (Central Bank of Malaysia), the Securities Commission, Bursa Malaysia (the Malaysian Stock Exchange) and key representatives from Malaysia’s Islamic financial industry will provide information on the matters related to the Islamic capital market and treasury instruments, Islamic fund and wealth management, international currency Islamic financial services, and Takaful and Re-Takaful business opportunities, she added.

According to Wan Edi Sophean Wan Mohamad, Manager - Government Relations and Industry Affairs at the Malaysian Association of The Computer and Multimedia Industry (PIKOM), a body representing 700 members, Malaysia is strongly positioned to assist companies in the Middle East and seek fruitful business partnerships.

MSE 2008 will showcase a total of 11 specific industry clusters - construction, engineering, healthcare and hospital-related services, ICT, oil and gas, education and specialised training, energy and power generation, finance, logistics and transportation, professional services and franchising clusters.-TradeArabia News Service