Malaysian seafood exports to the Middle East top Dhs11.7m in 2006

The move is aimed at tapping into Dubai's rapidly expanding fisheries sector, which soared to Dhs735m ($200m) in 2006.

Malaysia's potential-laden food processing sector represents 10 per cent of the nation's total manufacturing output and two-thirds of its total food exports worth RM10bn (Dhs10.77bn). In 2006, DOF allocated RM160m (Dhs171.52m) for the advancement of the country's fisheries breeding, cultivation and processing, by prioritizing cage culture, hatchery, deep-sea fishing and ornamental fish culture. As a result, Malaysia has recorded an impressive 3,636.84 metric tons of seafood export with a value of Dhs11.7m to the Middle East. The country's seafood products are currently available in 80 countries and the Malaysian seafood market generates annual revenues of more than RM6bn (Dhs6.46bn).

Mohamad Shaupi Derahman, Director of Planning, Development and International Division, Department of Fisheries - Malaysia, said, 'The Department of Fisheries, Malaysia recognises the promise that our seafood sector holds to establish our country as a major contributor and a top source of high-quality seafood products in the global arena. We are investing in the advancement of our seafood manufacturing processes and augmenting our production to be able to fully utilize the potential of this industry. Exposing our products at Sea Food Expo 2007 will afford us with an effective venue to promote our products and at the same time expand our market presence.'

Malaysia is also setting its sights on further penetrating the global market for Halal food, which has an estimated value of over Dhs2 trillion ($547bn) by efficiently producing, distributing and promoting the country's seafood merchandise through its participation at Sea Food Expo 2007. Some of the high-quality Halal seafood products currently on display at the show include frozen white HOSO shrimps, cooked and peeled sea shrimp, cuttlefish and squid, raw peeled shrimp, frozen tiger prawns, surimi-based products and tuna floss.

'The demand for quality seafood products in the Middle East has seen a substantial growth over the years. Due to the strong demand, especially in the UAE, large seafood producers are drawn to the regional market with aims of exploiting the opportunities in supplying the vast amount of seafood required. The participation of the Malaysian Department of Fisheries at Sea Food Expo 2007 will provide them with an effective venue to acquire and build a strong reputation in the market, and eventually establishing itself as a Halal food hub and a leading seafood producer in the world,'

concluded Raees Ahmed, Director, Orange Fairs & Events.

Orange Fairs is the organiser of Middle East's first exhibition dedicated to the seafood industry, in addition to more than 100 exhibitions in Africa, Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), Middle East and Eastern Europe. The prominent events company has a portfolio that includes of a wide range of in multi-million industries such as oil and gas, telecommunications, IT, health, automobiles and gold and jewellery, as well as in the electrical and electronics, manufacturing, metalworking, printing and packaging, hotel and building and construction sectors.