Malaysian Exhibition Services Sdn Bhd, organiser of FHM 2007, Malaysia’s premier Food and Hotel show, pulled out all the stops to make this year’s event a truly memorable one and succeeded in more ways than one. From the number of exhibitors,  country pavilions and exhibition space to trade visitors and business deals forged, FHM 2007 was able to surpass expectations on all fronts.
 
This year’s show attracted 650 companies from 32 countries, ten national groups from Austria, Belgium, Egypt, India, Japan, Korea, Sri Lanka, Singapore, Taiwan and USA, and a total of 18,383 trade visitors from 53 countries. The number of pre-registered visitors alone stood at an unprecedented 8,000 as at one week prior to the show opening.
 
Thus it was no wonder that the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre was a hive of activity over four days from August 22 as trade visitors thronged the exhibition booths to seek out business deals with exhibitors, equally eager to introduce their products and services, expand distribution channels and explore investment opportunities.
 
First-time exhibitor RAK Porcelain from the United Arab Emirates, a leading manufacturer of high alumina porcelain tableware for the hotel, catering and retail industry, was able to recoup its investment in FHM 2007 by the end of the first day, with the successful signing of eight big orders with leading hotels.
 
Said Mr Akhil Kumar, RAK Porcelain marketing manager, “Within a year of our presence in Malaysia, we managed to gain a foothold in twelve 5-Star and 4-Star hotels as well as high-end restaurants. We are currently embarking on an aggressive marketing strategy costing over US$2 million to increase our market share in the Asia Pacific region and are confident of capturing a market leadership position in Malaysia by April 2008.”
 
On the look-out for possible joint ventures and investment opportunities with local manufacturing companies in steel wares and glass wares which are related accessories to porcelain tableware, Mr Akhil was able to get several positive leads during FHM 2007.
 
“Setting up such joint ventures with Malaysian companies would make economic sense as we have local customers with special orders and it would be more economical to produce these accessories locally,” said Mr Akhil.  
 
Meanwhile the Japan Pavilion comprising 12 companies representing Japan’s various individual food industries, found the positive response from trade visitors a plus in achieving their objectives of expanding their existing distribution channels while conducting research on the Malaysian Food & Hospitality industry for their products.
 
According to Mark Nakada, Coordinator the Japan Pavilion, Malaysia was the first choice for Japan’s expansion programme initiative, which is spearhead by the Japanese Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries.
 
“Japan hopes to expand the trade volume of its food products to Malaysia, particularly in its agriculture sector due to the increasing demand for Japanese food by locals as well as from the Malaysian hospitality sector which is catering to the growing tourism industry.
 
“Malaysia and Japan have a strong relationship, with the affinity between both countries evidenced by the 10,000 Japanese currently residing in Malaysia. In addition the reported number of 80,000 Malaysians visiting our country in 2006 also supports this fact and Malaysia is ranked at No. 14 in our overseas visitors record,” said Mr Nakada.
 
The Japan Pavilion exhibited an assortment of Japanese cuisine ranging from fresh seafood, green tea, traditional and modern snack items to healthy rice oil, unique flavoured dressing, versatile soup base, pre-cooked traditional food, fresh fruits and sake wine.
 
FHM 2007, which is the 9th biennial Malaysian International Exhibition of Food, Drinks, Hotel, Restaurant and Foodservice Equipment, Supplies, Services & Related Technology, and Culinaire Malaysia 2007 were officially launched by Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor, Minister of Tourism Malaysia.
 
Held alongside FHM 2007 was PROPAK 2007, the 5th Malaysian International Food Processing & Packaging Technology Exhibition, the Asean Food Congress, which proudly returned to Malaysia this year and Culinaire Malaysia 2007, the region’s largest culinary competition.
 
Keeping up to its status as “Malaysia’s Premier Food and Hospitality Show”, FHM2007 was fully supported by the Ministry of Tourism, Malaysian Association of Hotel, Chefs Association of Malaysia, The Malaysian Food & Beverage Executive Association and is endorsed by MATRADE.
 
Some of the key players in the industry which participated in FHM 2007 from both the local and international scenes included brand names such as BONCAFE, COFFEX COFFEE, PRIMA AGRI-PRODUCTS, UNILEVER FOODSOLUTIONS, CHUN YIP MACHINERY, MURNI MACHINERY, ENGLISH HOTBREADS, F & B EQUIPMENT, SCC CORPORATION, K&Q, APV ASIA, KIAN CONTRACT, S. KIAN SENG, HYPERLUX INTERNATIONAL, HOCATSU, HOSPITALITY RESOURCES, HOTEL INFORMATION SYSTEMS, CUSCAPI and LUEN HENG AGENCY.
 
FHM 2007 also received organised visits from various delegations including the Malaysian Indian Restaurant Owners Association, Malaysian Indian Musleum Restaurant Owners Association, the Asean Food Congress Foreign Delegates, Clayton Ceramic Factory and the Hotel Purchasing Association of Malaysia.