Naila Barakat
Business Reporter

A leading Malaysian business group yesterday announced to open its offices in Bahrain, paving the way for a joint venture in ornamental plants business in the Kingdom.
Imex Green and Deco Sdn Bhd will soon open their office in Bahrain with its local partners.
The ornamental plant industry is growing by over 20 per cent a year in the Middle East, Far East, Europe and the USA.
Saifznizam Hasan, the company CEO who was is Bahrain to take part in the Bahrain International Garden Show, said he was in the process of negotiations with a number of companies. “I have invited interested Bahrainis to join hands with us. We are specialists in exporting ornamental plants, aquatic plants, indoor and outdoor plants. Out products are supplied by contract growers. We also supply water features and aquarium.”
“We are also inviting parties that are dealing in landscaping and other garden features to enter into agreement with our company and introduce a whole new experience of Malaysia’s extensive logistic systems that allow us to freight products all over the world. We are looking for suitable partners that will help us in marketing our products and open a showroom displaying water fountains, plants, aquariums and lanterns made of concrete mold.”
Hasan said: “The potential for such products in Bahrain markets is huge. Bahrain is the only country in the GCC that holds a garden show and we see Bahrain as a gateway to the region.”
Chairman of Imex, Zaharin Mohammed Arif, Director, Ahmed Saufi Ahmed and Safain Ahmed are also in Bahrain to get a glimpse of the market potential as well as to meet prospective partners.
The head of the Bahrain Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI) real estate committee, Hassan Ibrahim Hassan Kamal, said that Bahrainis showed keen interest in making investment in properties under the ‘Malaysia: My Second Home’ programme.
Kamal said: “Bahraini investors are looking in Malaysia to make investments in resort projects, condominiums and apartments, shopping complexes, hotels and industrial land.”
He said: “Gulf investors are looking to set up an Arab village or purchase a condominium block for Arabs visiting Malaysia. During my recent visit to Malaysia I met with private sector representatives to know more about opportunities for Gulf investors.
“Bahrain is an ideal investment destination for Malaysians. There are several sectors which offer opportunities for Malaysian investors, including hospitals, laundry services, courier services, hotels, education and furniture manufacturing,” he added.
Last update on: 8-4-2006