9 - 10th July 2008, Nikko Hotel, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

The oil-rich Middle Eastern economies have been growing quickly in the past years. Flush with petrodollars, they have embarked on numerous ambitious large-scale projects. This has created a building boom in the Middle East that has created a strong need for outside (international) construction and engineering experience. In addition Arabs are increasingly looking to diversify their economies in preparation for when the oil runs out, which is creating opportunities in many areas, some of which are oil & gas, petrochemical, IT, healthcare, telecommunications, and Islamic finance, amongst many more.

Incidentally, this building boom has also substantially increased local retail and food needs due to the number of new foreign workers brought in. Coupled with the recent rise in oil prices and corresponding increase in disposable income, inflation is quite high, especially in the UAE and Dubai. This is leading to new opportunities for enterprising businesses. The money is definitely there. However, entering the Middle Eastern market is not as easy and straightforward as it seems.

There are many challenges for any company looking to expand and do business in the Middle East. Competition is tough, with both Eastern and Western markets looking for a slice of the oil-money pie. Middle Eastern culture plays a strong part in doing business there, and the Middle Eastern businessman has a different set of priorities than what most other businessmen are used to. Not knowing these differences can prove fatal.

Luckily, Malaysian companies have an advantage – they are viewed favourably by most Arabs due to the similarities in culture and religion, and impressions count for much with the Arabs. Malaysian companies have already secured several large, high profile contracts and projects in the Middle East, which has served to enhance the image of Malaysian companies. With this good reputation they are in a valued position to enter the Middle East markets.

1 July 2008, 9am - 6pm, MIDA Hall,  Malaysian Industrial Development Authority (MIDA)

We wish to inform you that MASSA in collaboration with the Embassy of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, Malaysian Industrial Development Authority (MIDA) and Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE) will be organizing the following seminar on “Business & Investment Opportunities in Venezuela” on July 1, 2008.

Download Venezuela Country Profile

Download Registration Form

Download Tentative Programme

10 – 11 July 2008, Putra World Trade Center, Kuala Lumpur

Understanding the Crisis - Sourcing The Solutions

Global food supplies are under pressure from the expanding demand for food, feed, and biofuels, the rising price of energy, increased land and water scarcity as well as the effects of climatechange. This in turn has affected the price of staple crops which has risen by as much as 70% during the last year, according to the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), with an accelerated increase seen in recent weeks. Global food shortage will cause acute social and migration problems affecting not only refuges but also citizens, instigating famines and riots and changing migration patterns and such shortage has already been seen to hit some importing countries.