Tuesday, January 15, 2002 (The star) - MALAYSIA External Trade DevelopmentCorp (Matrade) is organising Malaysia’s participation in the 35th CairoInternational Fair (CIF 2002) in Egypt from March 20–29.Matrade said in a statement that it was also organising the 30th TripoliInternational Trade Fair (TITF 2002) for Malaysia from April 2–12 inLibya.At both fairs, Malaysia’s pavilion will feature a diverse range ofproducts and services, including automotive parts and components, consumerelectrical and electronic products, food products and beverages, palm oil,office furniture, machinery and transport equipment.Others to be featured are pharmaceutical and beauty products, computer andtelecommunications equipment, chemicals, rubber and plastic products,construction and engineering, education, medical and healthcare.Matrade said Malaysia’s participation was aimed at diversifying thecountry’s exports to new potential markets in North Africa, which includedAlgeria, Libya, Morocco, Sudan, Tunisia and Western Sahara, besides Egyptand Libya.It said participation in these trade fairs would provide opportunities forMalaysian companies to reach out to 183 million people in the region, withan average gross domestic product (GDP) of RM18,365 for the year 2000.Malaysia’s total trade with the North African region in 2000 amounted toRM1.3bil, of which 85% or RM1.1bil came from Malaysia’s exports to theregion.“The potential is still enormous as this export value is only 0.52% to theregion’s total import of RM211.3bil in 2000,” Matrade said.Companies interested in participating in the exhibitions can contactMatrade’s Ishak or Silmi at 03-2694-7259. — Bernama