LIMBARUH HIJAU NOVEMBER 23, 2006: A delegation of more than forty entrepreneurs and farmers including many members of the National Development Party (NDP) are due to leave for Kuala Lumpur this evening to attend the Malaysian Agriculture, Horticulture and Agro-tourism Show (Maha) 2006.

The trip to KL is organised by Agrinduz Sdn Bhd with the support of NDP’s Agriculture and Agro-base Industry Bureau.

The delegation yesterday attended a briefing at NDP’s Entrepreneur Development Building at Limbaruh Hijau in Jerudong.

At the briefing, Haji Matzin Salleh, the Directors of Agrinduz told participants that Maha 2006 would provide them with the opportunities to learn latest farming technologies, and machineries as well as new techniques in farming and other related agricultural activities.

He said the Malaysian Farmers Organisation Board (MFOB) will be their host while they are in Malaysia. Apart from attending Maha 2006, the group will also visit paddy farmland in Kuala Selangor, coffee factories, food industry and various cottage-industry establishments in Selangor and Kuala Lumpur.

“Visit to places of interests, industries and factories will be arranged by our host, Lembaga Pertubuhan Pelandang.

“Even our hotel accommodation will be arranged by the board,” he told participating businessmen and farmers.

The biennial Maha 2006 would see the participation of companies from 15 nations including Brunei Darussalam, Malaysia, China, Australia, Germany, Britain, India, Holland, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea, United States and other Asean countries such as Vietnam and Thailand.

The six-day Maha 2006, now being held at the new RM230 million Malaysia Agro-Exposition Park in Serdang, commenced on Monday and will end Nov 26.

It is expected to be visited by more than 500,000 visitors.

Launched by Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, Maha 2006 features 800 exhibition booths where 60 per cent will consist of Malaysian government entities and local companies while the rest are international players.

Maha 2006 showcases the latest technologies developments in the fields of biotechnology, molecular, food patent and trademark issues, machinery, horticulture and agro-tourism.

Among items that will be displayed include agricultural based, fresh and processed products, value-added products such as fish, livestock, fruit, frozen food products, herbs, traditional medicine, machinery and equipment and handicrafts.

China, being the first country to have a guest nation pavilion, is expected to display its products, particularly agricultural machinery, fertilisers and animal products, as well as bring in research and development experts.

Apart from exhibiting their products, participating companies will also be involved in business matching to widen their network.

The event is expected to generate new and reinforce old business relationships, explore new business opportunities, launch new products or services, network with fellow industry professionals and be part of the industry’s future growth plans .

One of the objectives of Maha 2006 is to transform Malaysia as the centre of agricultural development excellence and agricultural based industry so as to attract both domestic and foreign private investment participation in the agricultural sector of Malaysia.

It is also to exhibit the latest innovation and technology available in the international market with the hope that it could be applied in the agricultural sector in Malaysia as well as to provide an opportunity for agencies and companies to exhibit their products, latest technology invention, investment opportunity offered and the services offered.