IAAE PLATFORM FOR PARTS MAKERS TO EXPAND

From Tengku Noor Shamsiah Tengku Abdullah

TOKYO, Feb 12 (Bernama) -- The participation of the Malaysian motor parts
makers at the 8th International Auto After-Market Expo 2009 (IAAE 2009), which
begins here today, will provide them an opportunity to expand their businesses.

Japan External Trade Organisation (Jetro) director in Malaysia, Tomoko
Fukada, said the firms could not solely depend on the local car manufacturers
like Proton and Perodua.

"They must expand their products outside as the local market is saturated
(small)," she told Bernama here Thursday.

The makers of rubber and plastic parts, fans, shock absorbers and batteries,
together with Proton Holdings Bhd, were invited by Jetro to showcase their
products at the Malaysian Auto Industry Exhibition taking place concurrently at
IAAE 2009.

They are Mintye Industries Sdn Bhd, SKI Industry Sdn Bhd, Retro Etech
Manufacturing Sdn Bhd, Fetta Marketing (M) Sdn Bhd, Schmaco Auto Parts
Industries Sdn Bhd, Pong Codan Rubber (M) Sdn Bhd, DRB-HICOM Sdn Bhd, Local
Casting Sdn Bhd, Malcorp, FBK Automotive Components Sdn Bhd and Sipro Plastics
Industries Sdn Bhd.

IAAE 2009, which is held at the Tokyo International Exhibition Centre, or
Tokyo Big Sight, will gather experts and representatives from car-related
businesses in Japan and across the world to update each other and share views
on the business trends.

The expo generally attracts around 40,000 visitors.

Fukada said a Malaysian car industry seminar and business-matching session
would also be held to provide greater insight into the Malaysian car parts
industry and to promote greater awareness among the Japanese companies.

Jetro, in collaboration with the Malaysian External Trade Development
Corp, is assisting Malaysian parts manufacturers at the exhibition by giving
them an opportunity to forge partnerships with Japanese firms.

Fukada said this year's exhibition would be the third time it is being
held during the IAAE.
-- BERNAMA