Malaysia is keen to promote its food products in the Saudi market by “increasing awareness” on Malaysian food products amongst Saudi tourists visiting Malaysia, said Naim Abdul Rahman, Trade Commissioner of the Consulate General of Malaysia. Through its trade promotion agency MATRADE, Malaysia also organized the participation of some 15 companies, one of the largest participations by a single country, in the Food and Hotel Arabia Exhibition 2007, which took place at the Jeddah International Exhibition and Convention Center earlier this year.
There are some Malaysian fast food chains already up and running in the Kingdom, such as Marrybrown, Nelson Corn In A Cup, and Daily Fresh.
Considering the huge potential in the Saudi food and Beverage market, Malaysia has also promoted herbal drinks made from herbs traditionally used for medical purposes. These products are expected to be available in the market soon.
According to Abdul Rahman, Malaysian exports to the Kingdom increased by 8.5 percent, while the imports from the Kingdom increased by 45.8 percent last year. Furniture was the number one export item to the Kingdom, followed by TV sets. Petroleum products are the number one import items from the Kingdom to Malaysia. Mainly, the Kingdom has been importing heating and cooling equipments from Malaysia in the first quarter of this year, he added.