Malaysia International Event for Exporters 2013, the biggest trade promotion exhibition in Malaysia as well as in the Southeast Asian region, was officially open in the country’s capital city of Kuala Lumpur on Tuesday afternoon.

The 7th event, known as Intrade2013 internationally, is held to connect local and international exhibitors, buyers and suppliers to the global market, said the event’s organizer, Malaysia External Trade Development Corp (MATRADE).

The 3-day exhibition, occupying the total area of two floors at MATRADE’s 23-story headquarters in the capital city, is expected to welcome some 9,000 visitors and buyers from 64 countries worldwide. Visitors will come and see the latest products and services showcased by 442 exhibitors from 18 countries.

“As a specialized event, we want to focus on quality rather than quantity of visitors which is often targeted by consumer exhibitions. Though the total expected is almost the same as last year at 9,000, we are expecting more deals clinched by the end of the day,” Susila Devi, deputy CEO of MATRADE Trade and Services Promotion Department, told Tuoi Tre News.

With the theme “Revitalizing Export Growth”, the event is an effort of MATRADE and the Malaysian government to rejuvenate the Southeast Asian nation’s export sector given the globally stiffer competition environment and the slowdown in growth of the developed world due to the aftermath of the world financial crisis in 2007-2008.

The regional trading promotional event, featuring 4 main economic clusters – building materials, electrical-electronics, information- communication technology, and lifestyle, is tailored to be a platform for local and international small and medium enterprises to thrive.

“The SMEs are undeniably a pillar in almost every country and play an important part in supporting a healthy economy,” said the organizer.

“With globalization, those SMEs are encouraged to be outward-looking and always seeking opportunities to bring their firms to higher ground internationally through all possible channels, like Intrade2013.”

“There is no doubt that Intrade has proven to be an effective event with more and more success stories,” said YB Dato’ Sri Mustapa Mohamed, Minister of International Trade and Industry of Malaysia.

“Intrade2012 generated some $77 million in sales and over $194 million from the preliminary Incoming Buying Mission (IBM) program, while the one-day IBM in 2013 alone, which finished on Monday, has brought in $400 million.”

“Besides traditional industries, MATRADE has pushed into new frontiers – soft exports, like design and art – for the first time to stimulate export interest via Intrade2013, he added.