http://www.ebm.com.my/news 2010-03-09T23:13:03Z EBM

Atelier des Parfums, a well known French perfume company, is looking to make Malaysia its gateway for the fragrance and cosmetic business in the Asean market, its vice president Hermann J. Porter said.

<p class="MsoNormal" id="byline"><span style=" font-family: Tahoma,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><strong>By Tengku Noor Shamsiah Tengku Abdullah</strong><br /> <br /> KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 28 (Bernama) -- Atelier des Parfums, a well known French perfume company, is looking to make Malaysia its gateway for the fragrance and cosmetic business in the Asean market, its vice president Hermann J. Porter said.<br /> <br /> "We are looking to the future in expanding our business to the Asean region and in particular Malaysia. We are also looking for interested partners," he told Bernama in an interview here.<br /> <br /> Porter said most of the very famous perfumes, had over the years been using components from Atelier des Parfum.<br /> <br /> Since taking over the management,Porter together with the company president, Olivier R. Funel, decided to not only be involved in the development of products for others but also look for markets to sell its own creations.<br /> <br /> Porter used to be the vice president of Apple Computers in California while Funel is a biologist and together they have proven to be an interesting mix of talent in the business of creating perfumes.<br /> <br /> According to Porter, Atelier des Parfum has been partnering a large company from China which had its own retail distribution outlets. "We helped the company create its own brand of perfume for men.<br /> <br /> "The perfume was produced in France. The fact that it was made in France is very important for branding," he said.<br /> <br /> He said the company had also recently introduced a second line of products comprising eight fragrances with different compositions for sophisticated women in Guangzhou.<br /> <br /> Atelier Des Parfums is trying to find its way into the Malaysian and Asean market with the assistance of the Electronic Business Management (EBM). The company specialises in creating business partnerships between companies in Europe, Asia and the United States.<br /> <br /> "Through EBM, we felt we had good information on Malaysia and the Southeast Asian market," Porter said.<br /> <br /> Porter also said:"We are now basically on a fact finding trip to determine potential opportunities by meeting with businessmen in Malaysia and South East Asia.<br /> <br /> "We are looking at using Malaysia and Kuala Lumpur as the hub from which to conduct our business for the region."<br /> <br /> Porter disclosed that Atelier des Parfum had just created the prototype of a product which allows women to make their own perfumes easily and in portions which can last a day or two.<br /> <br /> "We are thinking of using Malaysia as the test market for the product which will revolutionise the way perfumes are used. There is a possibility that we might even manufacture the product here," he said.<br /> <br /> Porter also stated that Atelier de Parfum with its vast experience is also offering consultancy services to companies in the fragrance and cosmetics industry.<br /> <br /> "This is to help the companies take their manufacturing processes to more sophisticated levels, thereby making them more competitive," he said.<br /> <br /> -- BERNAMA</span></p> http://www.ebm.com.my/Atelier_Des_Parfums_To_Make_Malaysia_Gateway_For_E.html 2010-03-09T23:13:03Z

Another major South Florida company has expanded into the growing Asian Pacific region, coordinating the development with Electronic Business Management (EBM), a company which specializes in creating partnerships between companies in Asia, Europe and the United States.

<p>Another major South Florida company has expanded into the growing Asian Pacific region, coordinating the development with Electronic Business Management (EBM), a company which specializes in creating partnerships between companies in Asia, Europe and the United States.</p> <p>Waterblasting Technologies, Inc., (Waterblasting Technologies) a leading global provider in the development and production of machinery utilized in the removal of markings and rubber from roads and runways, announced today the appointment of Electronic Business Management (EBM) to head its expansion to the Asia Pacific region. EBM will lead the company's overall expansion in Asia/Pacific and will provide strategic oversight for its first office in Asia that is located in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.&#160;</p> <p><img hspace="10" alt="James Crocker, President of Waterblasting Technologies and Bernhard Schutte, Chairman and Chief Negotiator of EBM America division" border="0" align="left" height="270" src="http://www.ebmamerica.com/upload/userimages/Malaysia Contract signing- Bernhard Schutte 011.jpg" width="397" title="James Crocker, President of Waterblasting Technologies and Bernhard Schutte, Chairman and Chief Negotiator of EBM America division" /><span style=" font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">This move will allow Waterblasting Technologies to enter the Asian region and further develop key-client relationships.&#160; “We are very excited to be entering the Malaysian market,” said James Crocker, President.&#160; Waterblasting Technologies chooses Malaysia to take advantage of Malaysia’s centralized location in the region that allows them to easily leverage their products in over 15 Asian countries, including China.</span>&#160;<span>Bernhard Schutte, who is chairman and chief negotiator of EBM America division, explained that the strategic move for Waterblasting Technologies to open offices in Asia is opening a tremendous new market for the company. The huge infrastructure boom the Asian region is experiencing made this move a logical next step in Waterblasting Technologies, Inc. expansion process. Schutte added: “Malaysia is quickly becoming a hub for trade with Southeast Asia due to the advantages that it offers. English is the main language used for business in the country, making it easy to communicate directly with business contacts. As late as the 1970s, Malaysia was still a developing economy, based on raw materials and primary goods. Today, Malaysia has grown into one of the world’s major manufacturing and service hubs for the whole Asian region.”</span></p> <p><strong>About Waterblasting Technologies, Inc.</strong><br /> Waterblasting Technologies is a multimillion-dollar international company that manufactures high-pressure equipment that removes markings from roadways and rubber from airport runways.&#160; They have sold their equipment in 16 countries and between Waterblasting Technologies and Waterblasting.com, a sister company who provides service, had revenue in excess of $15 million in 2007.&#160; The outlook for Waterblasting Technologies in 2008 is very strong as sales continue on record pace domestically as well as internationally.&#160;&#160;</p> <p><strong>About EBM Asia Sdn. Bhd,</strong><br /> EBM Asia Sdn. Bhd. specializes in creating partnerships between companies in Europe, Asia and the United States. As a full service consultancy, with service sectors including Business Development, Technical Development, Public Relations, Value Added Introductions, EBM is quickly becoming a powerful resource in helping companies grow and navigate their business. EBM works with U.S. and international companies including Government departments in all phases of development, ranging from established companies as well as those just starting out.</p> http://www.ebm.com.my/EBM_to_head_Water_Blasting_s_expansion_to_the_Asia.html 2010-03-09T23:13:03Z

US firm CureOnTour will invest RM200 million in the next five years to promote medical tourism in Malaysia and some other English-speaking countries, chairman and chief executive officer Bernhard Schutte said.

<p align="right" class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt;">By Tengku Noor Shamsiah</span></strong></p> <p align="left" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">PUTRAJAYA, Jan 2 (Bernama) -- US firm CureOnTour will invest RM200 million in the next five years to promote medical tourism in Malaysia and some other English-speaking countries, chairman and chief executive officer Bernhard Schutte said.<br /> <br /> The investment could be more, he added, in view of the fact that the medical tourism business is valued at US20 billion currently and is expected to double to US40 billion in the next three years.<br /> <br /> &quot;It is a huge business. Almost every country is involved in medical tourism in some form or another, and the biggest in the medical tourism business is Germany,&quot; he told Bernama in an interview here.<br /> <br /> According to him, CureOnTour was established to promote the availability of top quality medical procedures, and he felt the best value for money is in Malaysia.<br /> <br /> Malaysia, Schutte said, is fast becoming one of the leading medical tourism destinations in Asia because of its high medical standards and best value for money.<br /> <br /> &quot;Nevertheless, we find that medical tourism in Malaysia is way behind compared to countries like Thailand or India, and there shouldn't be a reason for this because the quality of the medical tourism here is very good,&quot; he added.<br /> <br /> &quot;Malaysia has fantastic hospitals here, of high quality with very good surgeons who have been trained in the UK, USA or Australia.<br /> <br /> &quot;So you definitely have the capability that these other countries have. What's missing is marketing, getting people to know and understand what is available here in Malaysia.&quot;<br /> <br /> Schutte, who is chairman and chief negotiator of EBM Asia Pacific division, which owns and manages CureOnTour, explained that if Malaysia wants to market itself in other countries, it has to use the local knowledge of those countries to penetrate their markets.<br /> <br /> &quot;It is not possible for Malaysia to do marketing with a Malaysian marketing company, you've got to use companies in the countries you are penetrating, that is very important,&quot; he contended.<br /> <br /> For instance, he said, the biggest hospital in Thailand is attracting medical tourists by using American firms to advertise in the US market.<br /> <br /> Schutte suggested that rather than sell itself as the cheapest in the region for medical treatment, Malaysia ought to focus on the quality of the services provided and the seriousness with which medical tourism is undertaken.<br /> <br /> &quot;In the US or European markets, if we tell them we are the cheapest, this won't sell because the word cheap is almost like a bad word,&quot; he pointed out.<br /> <br /> &quot;Cheap often means bad quality. So, Malaysia has to learn to sell itself as the best value for money where you still get good quality service.<br /> <br /> &quot;This is the way to go for Malaysia. And this is what CureOnTour is going to be promoting - best value for money medical tourism in Malaysia.&quot;<br /> <br /> In line with this, Schutte said, CureOnTour is only dealing with surgeons and medical facilities that it feels meet the high standards needed to sell medical tourism worldwide.<br /> <br /> Among the hospitals it has signed contracts with is Subang Jaya Medical Centre (SJMC) while others in the pipeline include Gleaneagles and Sunway.<br /> <br /> Schutte said the medical facilities in Malaysia are comparable to those that the company deals with in the US or Germany - &quot;Malaysia has the same kind of quality or standards, sometime even better than a lot of American hospitals.&quot;<br /> <br /> CureOnTour, being a one-stop facilitator, will coordinate everything for the travelling patients and their companions, including planning for the trips, flight reservations, transportation from the airport to accommodation, appointments with doctors and booking procedures, he added.<br /> <br /> -- BERNAMA</span></p> http://www.ebm.com.my/US_Firm_To_Invest_RM200_Million_To_Promote_Medical.html 2010-03-09T23:13:03Z

SUBANG Jaya Medical Centre (SJMC), a hospital owned by Sime Darby Bhd, expects the number of foreign patients to rise by a third to 20,000 this year

<div class="content"><font face="Arial"><span style=" font-size: 10pt;">SUBANG Jaya Medical Centre (SJMC), a hospital owned by Sime Darby Bhd, expects the number of foreign patients to rise by a third to 20,000 this year.</span></font></div> <div class="content"><font face="Arial"><span style=" font-size: 10pt;"><br /> And in the long run, it wants to have a bigger slice of the local private health tourism market - valued at RM204 million last year - from the current five per cent.<br /> <br /> <img src="http://cureontour.com/upload/userimages/medic.jpg" align="right" alt="" />"We are not happy with our market share now and definitely want more," said SJMC chief executive officer Elaine Cheong, adding that various initiatives are taking place to meet this target.<br /> <br /> One of the initiatives was inked yesterday with an international partner to increase the number of medical tourists to Malaysia.<br /> <br /> The partner, CureOnTour Sdn Bhd, a member of US-based DMN Inc, is a newly established company to promote and assist Malaysia to become one of the leading medical tourist destinations in Asia.<br /> <br /> Speaking to reporters after the signing ceremony in Subang Jaya yesterday, CureOnTour chairman Bernhard Schutte said the company is targeting in the next five years to bring between 350 and 450 foreign patients into Malaysia a month.<br /> <br /> "We will be working with most of the major hospitals here as we believe that there is so much potential for Malaysia to grow big in this market," he said.<br /> <br /> Cheong meanwhile said SJMC's foreign patients are classified into two groups, namely the medical type and the wellness type.<br /> <br /> The medical type generally come from Indonesia who are here to seek general medical treatment while the Westerners, the wellness type, are here for plastic and cosmetic surgeries.<br /> <br /> It is the latter one that SJMC wants to aggressively promote as it claimed to have excellent facilities for the surgeries.<br /> <br /> "Apart from that, we also have an excellent cancer centre and we specialise in bone marrow and liver transplants, which cost a fraction of the price in the western countries," said Cheong.<br /> <br /> She added that it cost some RM380,000 for a transplant in SJMC compared with S$300,000 (RM696,000) in Singapore.<br /> <br /> Cheong said there are five reasons for medical tourists to come here, namely the price, service, quality, availability and tourism.<br /> <br /> "A hip replacement can take more than a year in Britain or Canada but not in Asia," she said, adding that in terms of cost, Malaysia is on par with India and much lower than Singapore, Thailand and Indonesia.<br /> <br /> The medical tourism industry is a US$20 billion (RM70 billion) business and is expected to grow to US$40 billion (RM140 billion) in the next four years.</span></font></div> <p align="right"><font size="1" face="Arial">By Roziana Hamsawi - <em>roziana@nstp.com.my</em></font></p> http://www.ebm.com.my/SUBANG_Jaya_Medical_Centre.html 2010-03-09T23:13:03Z

Fear of the unknown may be an excuse for using a night light, but it isn't a good reason for not doing business in Asia. South Florida's new Asia Committee is trying to take the mystery out of trade with Asia by building bonds with diplomats, hosting workshops and seminars and embarking on trade missions to the Far East.

<p align="right"><span style=" font-size: 8pt; font-family: Arial;">South Florida Business Journal - May 25, 2007</span> <span style=" font-size: 8pt; font-family: Arial;">by Julia Neyman</span></p> <div id="story_images"><span style=" font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;">Fear of the unknown may be an excuse for using a night light, but it isn't a good reason for not doing business in Asia. South Florida's new Asia Committee is trying to take the mystery out of trade with Asia by building bonds with diplomats, hosting workshops and seminars and embarking on trade missions to the Far East.</span></div> <p><span style=" font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;">Committee chairman Bernhard Schutte said the tri-county effort, organized under the Broward Alliance, should further expose South Florida to the world's largest and fastest-growing market.</span></p> <p><span style=" font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;">"Usually if you don't understand something you think it's a threat," said Schutte, who often travels to Asia on business, owns property in Malaysia and has lived in Hong Kong. "I always believe, if you think someone is your enemy, go and check them out. Maybe it's a huge opportunity - that's what I've found."</span></p> <p><span style=" font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;">The committee includes trade officials, county government representatives and professionals in the banking, real estate and construction sectors. Schutte owns global consulting firm DMNI, while vice chairs Al Redlhammer and Russel Weaver work in freight forwarding and international real estate, respectively.</span></p> <p><span style=" font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;">The group will be the Broward Alliance's first sub-committee dedicated specifically to a region, said Bob Swindell, Broward Alliance senior VP of business development. But given the level of interest Florida has developed in Asia - and especially in China - this is the perfect region to start with, Swindell said.</span></p> <p><span style=" font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;">"Everyone realizes that Asia is a good place to focus the energies of Broward's business," Swindell said. "We've probably focused more resources and business time and interest on the Asian market than any other market."</span></p> <p><span style=" font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;">Trade with Asia is already booming: <strong>Port Everglades</strong> director Phillip Allen said China grew from the port's No. 3 trading partner two years ago to its second-largest trading partner last year. Trade and economic officials said key trade sectors include technology, medical and construction equipment and manufactured goods.</span></p> <p><span style=" font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;">Schutte maintains South Florida's key advantage is geography: It is uniquely positioned to serve as a hub for trade between Asia and Latin America.</span></p> <p><span style=" font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;">"Most Europeans have been using South Florida as a hub for many years, and we have to offer this to Asian countries," Schutte said. "Most Asian countries don't realize the importance of this area yet, but it's a no-brainer for this to work out of South Florida."</span></p> <p><span style=" font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;">The key is to get large Asian companies to establish Latin America headquarters in South Florida, Schutte said. Another key is getting foreign governments to recognize South Florida's appeal. For example, a series of successful talks between South Florida and Malaysia resulted in the Malaysian government investing half a million dollars in a regional trade center in Miami last year.</span></p> <p><span style=" font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;">John Diep, director of the Asia/Pacific region for Enterprise Florida, said South Florida's relationship with China is already strong and its ties to Indonesia, India and Vietnam are growing. He said domestic interest is mostly coming from small and mid-sized technology companies.</span></p> <p><span style=" font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;">Schutte agreed that because Florida's main fortes are in technology and services, especially in relation to Latin America, the region should concentrate on building trade relationships in these areas.</span></p> <p><span style=" font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;">"Most people draw on South Florida's service industry, whether it's accountants, lawyers, freighters, shippers or deal makers," he said. "There is no way any Asian country can penetrate the Caribbean or Latin America as quickly and efficiently as we can in South Florida."</span></p> <h5><span style=" font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;">Focus sectors for Asia Committee</span></h5> <ul> <li><span style=" font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;">IT</span></li> <li><span style=" font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;">Medical and life sciences</span></li> <li><span style=" font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;">Construction</span></li> <li><span style=" font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;">Aviation</span></li> <li><span style=" font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;">Environment</span></li> <li><span style=" font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;">Professional services</span></li> <li><span style=" font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;">Education</span></li> <li><span style=" font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;">Real Estate</span></li> <li><span style=" font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;">Marine</span></li> <li><span style=" font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;">Logistics/support</span></li> </ul> <h5><span style=" font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;">ASIA COMMITTEE</span></h5> <p><span style=" font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;">Chairman: Bernhard Schutte<br /> Phone: (954) 333-7777<br /> Next meeting: 9 a.m., June 14th at Inverrary Resort, 3501 Inverrary Blvd., in Fort Lauderdale 33319<br /> <em>jneyman@bizjournals.com | (954) 949-7511</em></span></p> http://www.ebm.com.my/Tri_county_committee_looks_to_open_Asia_for_local.html 2010-03-09T23:13:03Z

Miami companies are involved in a major initiative in 2007 to use Hong Kong as a launch pad to the Chinese mainland and Asian markets, from comments made by Miami trade promotion agencies and corporations canvassed in the past few weeks.

<table align="right" width="25" border="0"><tbody _base_href="http://www.tdctrade.com/imn/07041002/trade058.htm"> <tr> <td valign="top" width="232"><img height="172" alt="Photo" border="1" width="230" src="http://www.ebmamerica.com/upload/userimages/48257M.jpg" /></td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top"><font size="1">Miami-based companies like Market America are heading for Asia.</font></td> </tr> </tbody></table> <p>Miami companies are involved in a major initiative in 2007 to use Hong Kong as a launch pad to the Chinese mainland and Asian markets, from comments made by Miami trade promotion agencies and corporations canvassed in the past few weeks.</p> <p>This month sees the Port of Miami send a business delegation to the Chinese mainland, while Hong Kong is taken as a key centre for developing contacts and initiatives for another large Miami delegation in November.</p> <p>"Utilising Hong Kong as a gateway to Asia in general, and the greater China market in particular, is a 'no-brainer'," says Manny Mencia, senior vice president, International Trade &#38; Business Development of Enterprise Florida, the official economic development agency for that state.</p> <table align="left" border="0" width="15"><tbody _base_href="http://www.tdctrade.com/imn/07041002/trade058.htm"> <tr> <td width="100%" valign="top"><img height="230" alt="Photo" border="1" width="172" src="http://www.ebmamerica.com/upload/userimages/48258M.jpg" /></td> </tr> <tr> <td width="100%" valign="top"><font size="1">Mencia: consider Hong Kong.</font></td> </tr> </tbody></table> <p>Though he spends his days trying to attract international business to Miami, Mencia says: "I would advise Florida companies that are looking to penetrate the Chinese market to consider Hong Kong as the logical gateway and the location to manage operations."</p> <p>"Hong Kong has a tremendous service support infrastructure, and a wealth of knowledge-based service providers that specialise in the Chinese market. There's also a labour that speaks multiple languages - not just Mandarin but also the different dialects of China, and the area is a great trans-shipping centre."</p> <p>These factors can go a long way to facilitate successful market entry for small- and medium-sized companies, particularly if their efforts are not focused on one area of China, Mencia believes.</p> <p>Xavier Gonzalez' Beacon Council is another organisation that works to bring businesses into Miami. But he says he's seeing more and more of them considering China operations.</p> <p>"Miami and [other] Florida companies are trying to tap into Asia, particularly the booming China market," says Gonzalez, a Beacon Council communications official for Miami's economic development agency.</p> <p>And no wonder. Enterprise Florida says the Sunshine State's trade with China grew 31.9% from 2004 to 2005, climbing from US$3.5 billion to US$4.7 billion. The increased trade volume made the Chinese mainland Florida's fifth largest trading partner.</p> <p>Hong Kong showed a double-digit increase in the same period as well.</p> <p>The SAR achieved a 15.6% gain with a dollar volume increase from US$319 million to US$369 million, making Hong Kong Florida 46th largest trading partner.</p> <p>That followed a jump of 23.4% from 2003 to 2004, when dollar volumes rose from US$258 million to US$319 million, Enterprise Florida says.</p> <p>Trade going the other way is proving to be robust too, according to Enterprise Florida:</p> <ul> <li>Top Florida exports to the Chinese mainland are fertilizers and aluminum waste and scrap. China's top exports to Florida are automatic data processing machines, magnetic readers, luggage and handbags.</li> <li>Major Florida exports to Hong Kong are passenger transport vehicles and electronic integrated circuits.</li> </ul> <p>Meanwhile, Hong Kong's top exports to Florida are data processing machines, magnetic readers and parts for office machinery.</p> <p><strong>China push to increase ties</strong></p> <table align="right" border="0" width="15"><tbody _base_href="http://www.tdctrade.com/imn/07041002/trade058.htm"> <tr> <td width="100%" valign="top"><img height="172" alt="Photo" border="1" width="230" src="http://www.ebmamerica.com/upload/userimages/48259M.jpg" /></td> </tr> <tr> <td width="100%" valign="top"><font size="1">Miami team: Association plans return.</font></td> </tr> </tbody></table> <p>Gonzalez says the Beacon Council will take part in the Port of Miami's trip to China in April 2007, in preparation for a full-fledged mission later in the year.</p> <p>"We'll take a full delegation - five to 20 people - to China as part of this business development mission," he reports.</p> <p>The group will comprise public officials, local business people, and Beacon Council staff.</p> <p>Meanwhile, the success of business missions to Hong Kong and the Chinese mainland over the past two years has led the Association of Bi-National Chambers of Commerce in Florida to make plans for a return to Hong Kong and China in November 2007.</p> <table align="left" border="0" width="15"><tbody _base_href="http://www.tdctrade.com/imn/07041002/trade058.htm"> <tr> <td width="100%" valign="top"><img height="230" alt="Photo" border="1" width="172" src="http://www.ebmamerica.com/upload/userimages/48260M.jpg" /></td> </tr> <tr> <td width="100%" valign="top"><font size="1">Haeger: assistance in Hong Kong.</font></td> </tr> </tbody></table> <p>The 10-year-old Miami-based organisation represents 40 national chambers of commerce and has made Hong Kong and the Mainland its lone destinations since deciding to begin taking Pacific Rim trips in 2005, said Lita Haeger, the business organization's CEO/president and representative of the Swedish American Chamber of Commerce.</p> <p>Korea and Japan lobbied heavily to make their countries the principal destinations, she says. The assistance which the association's 46-member delegation received in Hong Kong on its November 2006 trip, especially from the HKTDC, helped give the nod to Hong Kong and the Chinese mainland, Haeger explains.</p> <p>The HKTDC, she says, "understands our way of doing business and that we expect to do business" during the trade trips.</p> <p>"We were made very comfortable. Everybody is pretty much looking to [the Chinese mainland] but with the help of Hong Kong."</p> <p>The Association of Bi-National Chambers of Commerce in Florida serves as an umbrella organisation for the Miami-based Florida China Chamber of Commerce and nearly four dozen other bi-national chambers from around the Sunshine State.</p> <p>The Florida organisation represents about 8,000 members, says Haeger.</p> <table align="right" border="0" width="15"><tbody _base_href="http://www.tdctrade.com/imn/07041002/trade058.htm"> <tr> <td width="100%" valign="top"><img height="230" alt="Photo" border="1" width="172" src="http://www.ebmamerica.com/upload/userimages/48261M.jpg" /></td> </tr> <tr> <td width="100%" valign="top"><font size="1">Schutte: strong interest from South East Asia.</font></td> </tr> </tbody></table> <p>Bernhard Schutte, chairman and chief negotiator of business consulting firm EBM International, was the busiest of the mission delegates.</p> <p>Schutte believes he found strong interest from South East Asian companies wanting to penetrate the US, Latin American and Caribbean markets by establishing offices with South Florida as the hub.</p> <p>"We had 26 appointments before we got there," says Schutte, whose 12-year-old firm is based in Fort Lauderdale and devotes a lot of its work to Chinese medical equipment manufacturers.</p> <p>The firm screened each company that asked for an appointment to ensure its finances, infrastructure and business plan were right for international business.</p> <p>The companies represented a range of sectors, and included a company that makes customised mosaics. Schutte says he likes the prospects for the mosaic maker.</p> <p>"You can give them a picture of something unique to you. They can make a mosaic picture of it and put it in a swimming pool or on a huge wall," he explains. "We took it on because we see a strong market for it here."</p> <p><strong>Small- and medium-sized perspective</strong></p> <p>Companies involved in the China trip in September are both small and large, says Schutte. "Some [have] sales of only about US$5 million a year."</p> <p>They all had in common a desire to sell their products and services internationally, Schutte notes. "Latin America and the Caribbean are virgin territory for China. The way to get into that is a hub through South Florida."</p> <p>EBM performs a market feasibility study, sets up a satellite office operation for the companies and puts the necessary logistics in place. "We give them an address and a phone number that can be answered in either South Florida or China," he explains.</p> <p>Schutte advises his clients to keep a small amount of stock in South Florida for quick delivery. "Americans are very demanding; they want it now," he said. "We can send it out the same day" it's ordered.</p> <table align="left" border="0" width="15"><tbody _base_href="http://www.tdctrade.com/imn/07041002/trade058.htm"> <tr> <td width="100%" valign="top"><img height="172" alt="Photo" border="1" width="230" src="http://www.ebmamerica.com/upload/userimages/48262M.jpg" /></td> </tr> <tr> <td width="100%" valign="top"><font size="1">EBM team accommodates inward and outward trade.</font></td> </tr> </tbody></table> <p>EBM's fees run from US$50,000 to US$100,000 for a company's first year in the market.</p> <p>He says the cost is about double for a company to put a full time representative in South Florida - a move Schutte thinks is unnecessary.</p> <p>EBM International taps a large data base of US and Latin American companies and will initiate contact with potential customers of its clients, Schutte points out.</p> <p>"The middle negotiator has a lot of interest in ensuring this is a long-term deal. If only one side earns money, the other side goes broke."</p> <p>In entering the US market, product/price is not the main factor, Schutte advises. "Chinese companies always think they must be the least expensive. That's a mistake," he says. "Quality of production and consistent ability to deliver are more important."</p> <p>Schutte expects EBM will begin taking on more US clients now that China is in the WTO and has agreed to open more of its markets and allow increased foreign ownership of factories.</p> <p>Schutte, a South African, said the first thing American companies must learn is that the Chinese insist on developing relationships before making too large of a business commitment.</p> <p>"The biggest problem we have with Americans is that if we meet, they say 'let's seal a deal.' Americans are too impatient."</p> <p><strong>Latin American connection through Miami</strong></p> <table align="right" border="0" width="15"><tbody _base_href="http://www.tdctrade.com/imn/07041002/trade058.htm"> <tr> <td width="100%" valign="top"><img height="230" alt="Photo" border="1" width="172" src="http://www.ebmamerica.com/upload/userimages/48263M.jpg" /></td> </tr> <tr> <td width="100%" valign="top"><font size="1">Chi: flexible and creative.</font></td> </tr> </tbody></table> <p>Another interested party in the China initiative is Joe Chi's China-Latin America Trade Center, which specialises in helping Chinese companies set up Latin American operations.</p> <p>As a Cuban-Chinese, Chi brings a familiarity with both Latin and Chinese cultures and the business nuances of the two. "I help them get established in the proper channels," Chi says. "I've been doing business in Latin America for 25 years. You just have to be flexible and creative."</p> <p>In the year since the launch of the China-Latin America Trade Center "we have received the CEOs of some of the top Chinese companies," including manufacturing giant Haier, said Chi, the Trade Center's executive director and former head of the Latin Chamber of Commerce of the United States.</p> <p>There's one point he emphasises to visiting Chinese executives interested in the markets of the Caribbean and Latin America: base yourself in Miami. "That's the place to be," he says, noting the city has dozens of international chambers of commerce as well as about 40 consulates.</p> <p>Going directly into the Latin American and Caribbean countries is expensive and carries "a humongous amount of risk," Chi believes.</p> <p>"In Miami, you can pick and choose the countries you want to go to. Many of the companies have a presence here or their executives have second homes here."</p> <p>Chi's clients want to establish a beachhead into Latin America that the online economics magazine the <em>Globalist</em> says has seen a 900% increase in overall trade with China over the past five years.</p> <p>In 2004, nearly half of China's direct investment overseas, almost US$20 billion, went to Latin America, the <em>Globalist</em> reports.</p> <p>Argentina, Peru and, to some extent, Chile see China as an insatiable buyer of commodities and therefore a guarantee of their economic development.</p> <p>Brazil - a seller of soybeans to China - likes that part, too, the <em>Globalist</em> reports.</p> <p>As a consulting agency, the China-Latin America Trade Center handles the more complex set ups, Chi says. "For the simple transactions, we delegate to the local chambers."</p> <p><strong>Sales centre in Hong Kong</strong></p> <table align="left" border="0" width="15"><tbody _base_href="http://www.tdctrade.com/imn/07041002/trade058.htm"> <tr> <td width="100%" valign="top"><img height="172" alt="Photo" border="1" width="230" src="http://www.ebmamerica.com/upload/userimages/48264M.jpg" /></td> </tr> <tr> <td width="100%" valign="top"><font size="1">Market America product line.</font></td> </tr> </tbody></table> <p>Miami Beach-based Market America, a product brokerage and Internet marketer of vitamins and other health products, plans to inaugurate a Hong Kong trading platform in June 2007 to serve the Hong Kong market and enhance its Pacific Rim presence.</p> <p>The privately held Market America estimates demand for its products in Hong Kong alone will produce sales of at least US$7 million the first year. Expansion into the Pacific Rim tops a 5-year-plan initiated two years ago, company executives say.</p> <p>The Hong Kong move follows Market America's launch of a branch in Taiwan in 2005, where in less than two years it has recruited 35,000 seller/distributors and posted sales of US$55 million. Company-wide, Market America claims accumulated annual retails sales of US$2.1 billion.</p> <p>"We had great success in Taiwan, so expanding into Hong Kong is the logical next step," said Joe Bolyard, executive vice president, international development.</p> <table align="right" border="0" width="15"><tbody _base_href="http://www.tdctrade.com/imn/07041002/trade058.htm"> <tr> <td width="100%" valign="top"><img height="230" alt="Photo" border="1" width="172" src="http://www.ebmamerica.com/upload/userimages/48271M.jpg" /></td> </tr> <tr> <td width="100%" valign="top"><font size="1">Direct seller to market.</font></td> </tr> </tbody></table> <p>Specialising in direct marketing and mass customisation, the company sells what it calls "innovative products" that range from health elixirs and vitamins to laundry soap and a US$249 kit that analyses the buyer's DNA to determine what customised nutritional formula to follow for optimum health.</p> <p>As a product broker, Market America must have near-total accuracy in gauging what the customer wants. To achieve that, the company relies on what it says are sophisticated surveying methodologies to determine customers' preferences and then sources and provides the most desired products.</p> <p>The knowledge gained from mining the accumulated customer data is the foundation of Market America's Mall Without Walls, where more than 700 products are sold. It offers another 2 million-plus products through a setup the company calls the Endless Shopping Experience.</p> <p>The Shopping Experience has enlisted such retail giants as Wal-Mart, Target, Macys, Dell and even eBay as affiliate retail partners.</p> <p>Oriental Logistics Miami Inc executive Anly Liu has taken part in the China-Miami trade boom since arriving in Miami nearly three years ago.</p> <p>He is helping to strengthen trade ties through his work with the Florida China Chamber of Commerce, with a focus on companies in Hong Kong.</p> <p>Liu's company is an arm of Hong Kong-based Oriental Logistics Group and sees Miami as a rival to New York and Los Angeles for commercial ties with China.</p> <p>The opportunities in the China market are beginning to be realised, according to Howard Ullman, CEO of Florida-based China Direct Trading Corp, which brokers sales of products ranging from souvenirs to construction materials.</p> <p>"Many US companies are making the shift to China," says Ullman.</p> <p>Such companies as China Direct Trading, Oriental Logistics and Market America are making efforts to create a bridge that could see 2007 as a watershed year for Florida-China trade.</p> <p align="right">from special correspondent Terrence Carter, Miami</p> <div align="left"><strong>Contact:</strong></div> <table align="center" width="90%"><tbody _base_href="http://www.tdctrade.com/imn/07041002/trade058.htm"> <tr> <td>&#160;</td> </tr> </tbody></table> <div align="center"> <table border="1" width="90%"><tbody _base_href="http://www.tdctrade.com/imn/07041002/trade058.htm"> <tr> <td align="center" width="50%" valign="middle"> <div align="center"><strong>Company/Contact Person</strong></div> </td> <td align="center" width="50%" valign="middle"> <div align="center"><strong>Tel/Email</strong></div> </td> </tr> <tr> <td align="left" valign="top"> <p>Association of Bi-National Chambers of Commerce in Florida<br /> Lita Haeger<br /> </p> </td> <td align="left" valign="top"> <p>Tel: (1) 305-365-7247<br /> Email:<a href="mailto:lita@abicc.org">lita@abicc.org</a></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td align="left" valign="top"> <p>China Direct Trading Corp<br /> Howard Ullman<br /> </p> </td> <td align="left" valign="top"> <p>Tel: (1) 954-252-3440</p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td align="left" valign="top">China-Latin American Trade Center<br /> Joe Chi<br /> </td> <td align="left" valign="top">Tel: (1) 305-636-0904</td> </tr> <tr> <td align="left" valign="top">EBM<br /> Bernhard Schutte<br /> </td> <td align="left" valign="top">Tel: (1) 954-333-7777<br /> Email: <a href="mailto:Bernhard@Dmni.com">Bernhard@Dmni.com</a></td> </tr> <tr> <td align="left" valign="top">Enterprise Florida<br /> Manny Mencia<br /> </td> <td align="left" valign="top">Tel: (1) 305-569-2650</td> </tr> <tr> <td align="left" valign="top">Market America<br /> Joe Bolad<br /> </td> <td align="left" valign="top">Tel: (1) 336-605-0040</td> </tr> <tr> <td align="left" valign="top">Miami-Dade Beacon Council<br /> Xavier Gonzalez<br /> </td> <td align="left" valign="top">Tel: (1) 305-579-1300<br /> Email: <a href="mailto:xgonzalez@beaconcouncil.com">xgonzalez@beaconcouncil.com</a></td> </tr> <tr> <td align="left" valign="top">Oriental Logistics Miami Inc<br /> Anly Liu<br /> </td> <td align="left" valign="top">Tel: (1) 786-845-0781<br /> Email: <a href="mailto:anly.mia@orientalair.com">anly.mia@orientalair.com</a> <a href="mailto:Anly.mia@orientalair.com">&#160;</a></td> </tr> </tbody></table> </div> <div align="center"></div> <p>&#160;</p> http://www.ebm.com.my/Miami_leaps_forward_to_China_business_in_2007_10_A.html 2010-03-09T23:13:03Z

The King of Malaysia recently celebrated the successful completion of the first two cases of severe obesity surgery with surgeons and businessmen from South Florida. Dr. Norman Samuels, pioneer in obesity surgery and Dr. Paul Wizman, specialist in laparoscopic surgery worked with KPJ Hospitals in Asia to train Malaysian surgeons in obesity surgery. The deal was put together by Bernhard Schutte, CEO of Advanced Surgical Training and Chairman and Chief Negotiator of EBM.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style=" font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;"><font size="2" face="Arial">The King of Malaysia recently celebrated the successful completion of the first two cases of severe obesity surgery with surgeons and businessmen from South Florida. Dr. Norman Samuels, pioneer in obesity surgery and Dr. Paul Wizman, specialist in laparoscopic surgery worked with KPJ Hospitals in Asia to train Malaysian surgeons in obesity surgery. The deal was put together by Bernhard Schutte, CEO of Advanced Surgical Training and Chairman and Chief Negotiator of EBM.</font></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=" font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;"><font size="2" face="Arial">Schutte of Broward County, a specialist in international business and his team worked for two years to establish a Center for Severe Obesity. This marks a new chapter in Malaysian medical history, Schutte predicted.</font></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal">&#160;</p> <p align="center" class="MsoNormal"><img src="http://www.ebmamerica.com/upload/userimages/Copy%20of%20DSC02687-king.JPG" alt="Left to right: Dr. Norman Samuels, Dr. Paul Wizman, King of Malaysia His Majesty Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin (seated in front), Dato’ Dr. Haron Ahmad, Mr. Bernhard Schutte" /></p> <p align="center" class="MsoNormal">Left to right: Dr. Norman Samuels, Dr. Paul Wizman, King of Malaysia His Majesty<br /> Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin (seated in front), Dato’ Dr. Haron Ahmad, Mr. Bernhard Schutte</p> http://www.ebm.com.my/Malaysian_Obesity_Center_a_Success.html 2010-03-09T23:13:03Z

According to Dato’ Dr. Haron, one of the major reasons for early death is obesity, which most of us are unaware of.

<p align="center" style=" text-align: center;"><strong><u>OBESITY CAUSES EARLY DEATH</u></strong></p> <p style=" text-align: justify;">According to Dato’ Dr. Haron, one of the major reasons for early death is obesity, which most of us are unaware of.</p> <p style=" text-align: justify;">Damansara Hospital specializes in treatment of obesity with instant results.</p> <p style=" text-align: justify;">Yesterday, there was a press meeting regarding obesity.</p> <p style=" text-align: justify;">In this meeting, Dato’ Dr. Haron Ahmad, Dr. Sukumar Nadesan, as well as internationally acclaimed doctors Norman Samuel and Paul Wizman explained the different problems and different treatments for obesity.</p> <p style=" text-align: justify;">Since last November, Damansara Hospital specializes in the treatment for obesity, with the help of expert doctors in the field.</p> <p style=" text-align: justify;">The aim of the hospital is to treat obese patients with the most convenient methods, and if necessary they also use surgical methods.</p> <p style=" text-align: justify;">Dato’ Dr. Haron Ahmad and Dr. Sukumar Nadesan gained their expertise training in America.</p> <p style=" text-align: justify;">The objective of DSH, Damansara Hospital is to lead Malaysian citizens to a healthy life.</p> <p style=" text-align: justify;">A survey shows that obese people have to spend more on medication than regular sized people.</p> <p style=" text-align: justify;">All the doctors replied and explained to the queries of the media.</p> <p style=" text-align: justify;">Dr. Sukumar mentioned that most of the obese patients are Indians and Malaysians, especially between the ages of 30 and 40.</p> <p style=" text-align: justify;">Ex-Chief lecturer of UKM University, Dr. Sukumar emphasized that youngsters spending more time on the internet and watching television should spare time for exercise.</p> <p style=" text-align: justify;">We have to change our lifestyle, we should also avoid fast food as well as junk food to reduce obesity and have a healthy body. Obesity reduces life span.</p> <p style=" text-align: justify;">To have a healthy body the weight of the body should be maintained according to height.</p> <p style=" text-align: justify;">For example for a person with the height of 172cms, he should maintain his weight between 60kgs to 74kgs.</p> <p style=" text-align: justify;">To maintain the weight, diet and exercise should be utilized. Obese people would generally suffer from blood pressure, edema, joint pains, respiratory problems, and many more diseases.</p> <p style=" text-align: justify;">According to Dr. Haron, 12% of Malaysians are on the verge of obesity.</p> <p style=" text-align: justify;">Dr. Norman Samuel and Dr. Paul Wizman, emphasized that avoiding obesity will lead to a healthy body and a healthy life.</p> <p style=" text-align: justify;">For obese and excessive obese people, an intestine surgery is performed as a treatment.</p> <p style=" text-align: justify;">The body mass index was distributed to everyone in the press meeting to spread awareness. The doctors emphasized the popular saying “eat to live and not to live to eat.”</p> <p style=" text-align: justify;">Indians can use the instructions specified for obesity to benefit their lives.</p> <table class="MsoTableGrid" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" border="1" style=" border: none; border-collapse: collapse;"> <tr> <td style=" padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-left: 5.4pt; width: 147.6pt; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; padding-top: 0pt; padding-right: 5.4pt;" width="197" valign="top"> <p style=" text-align: justify;"><strong>HEIGHT (Cm)</strong></p> </td> <td style=" padding-bottom: 0pt; width: 147.6pt; padding-left: 5.4pt; border-left: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; padding-top: 0pt; padding-right: 5.4pt;" width="197" valign="top"> <p style=" text-align: justify;"><strong>Minimum Weight (kg)</strong></p> </td> <td style=" padding-bottom: 0pt; width: 147.6pt; padding-left: 5.4pt; border-left: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; padding-top: 0pt; padding-right: 5.4pt;" width="197" valign="top"> <p style=" text-align: justify;"><strong>Maximum Weight (Kg)</strong></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td style=" padding-bottom: 0pt; width: 147.6pt; padding-left: 5.4pt; border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; padding-top: 0pt; padding-right: 5.4pt;" width="197" valign="top"> <p style=" text-align: justify;">145</p> </td> <td style=" padding-top: 0pt; border-top: none; padding-right: 5.4pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; width: 147.6pt; padding-left: 5.4pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt;" width="197" valign="top"> <p style=" text-align: justify;">42</p> </td> <td style=" padding-top: 0pt; border-top: none; padding-right: 5.4pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; width: 147.6pt; padding-left: 5.4pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt;" width="197" valign="top"> <p style=" text-align: justify;">52</p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td style=" padding-bottom: 0pt; width: 147.6pt; padding-left: 5.4pt; border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; padding-top: 0pt; padding-right: 5.4pt;" width="197" valign="top"> <p style=" text-align: justify;">147</p> </td> <td style=" padding-top: 0pt; border-top: none; padding-right: 5.4pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; width: 147.6pt; padding-left: 5.4pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt;" width="197" valign="top"> <p style=" text-align: justify;">44</p> </td> <td style=" padding-top: 0pt; border-top: none; padding-right: 5.4pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; width: 147.6pt; padding-left: 5.4pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt;" width="197" valign="top"> <p style=" text-align: justify;">54</p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td style=" padding-bottom: 0pt; width: 147.6pt; padding-left: 5.4pt; border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; padding-top: 0pt; padding-right: 5.4pt;" width="197" valign="top"> <p style=" text-align: justify;">150</p> </td> <td style=" padding-top: 0pt; border-top: none; padding-right: 5.4pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; width: 147.6pt; padding-left: 5.4pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt;" width="197" valign="top"> <p style=" text-align: justify;">45</p> </td> <td style=" padding-top: 0pt; border-top: none; padding-right: 5.4pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; width: 147.6pt; padding-left: 5.4pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt;" width="197" valign="top"> <p style=" text-align: justify;">56</p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td style=" padding-bottom: 0pt; width: 147.6pt; padding-left: 5.4pt; border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; padding-top: 0pt; padding-right: 5.4pt;" width="197" valign="top"> <p style=" text-align: justify;">152</p> </td> <td style=" padding-top: 0pt; border-top: none; padding-right: 5.4pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; width: 147.6pt; padding-left: 5.4pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt;" width="197" valign="top"> <p style=" text-align: justify;">46</p> </td> <td style=" padding-top: 0pt; border-top: none; padding-right: 5.4pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; width: 147.6pt; padding-left: 5.4pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt;" width="197" valign="top"> <p style=" text-align: justify;">58</p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td style=" padding-bottom: 0pt; width: 147.6pt; padding-left: 5.4pt; border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; padding-top: 0pt; padding-right: 5.4pt;" width="197" valign="top"> <p style=" text-align: justify;">155</p> </td> <td style=" padding-top: 0pt; border-top: none; padding-right: 5.4pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; width: 147.6pt; padding-left: 5.4pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt;" width="197" valign="top"> <p style=" text-align: justify;">48</p> </td> <td style=" padding-top: 0pt; border-top: none; padding-right: 5.4pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; width: 147.6pt; padding-left: 5.4pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt;" width="197" valign="top"> <p style=" text-align: justify;">60</p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td style=" padding-bottom: 0pt; width: 147.6pt; padding-left: 5.4pt; border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; padding-top: 0pt; padding-right: 5.4pt;" width="197" valign="top"> <p style=" text-align: justify;">157</p> </td> <td style=" padding-top: 0pt; border-top: none; padding-right: 5.4pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; width: 147.6pt; padding-left: 5.4pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt;" width="197" valign="top"> <p style=" text-align: justify;">50</p> </td> <td style=" padding-top: 0pt; border-top: none; padding-right: 5.4pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; width: 147.6pt; padding-left: 5.4pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt;" width="197" valign="top"> <p style=" text-align: justify;">62</p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td style=" padding-bottom: 0pt; width: 147.6pt; padding-left: 5.4pt; border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; padding-top: 0pt; padding-right: 5.4pt;" width="197" valign="top"> <p style=" text-align: justify;">160</p> </td> <td style=" padding-top: 0pt; border-top: none; padding-right: 5.4pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; width: 147.6pt; padding-left: 5.4pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt;" width="197" valign="top"> <p style=" text-align: justify;">51</p> </td> <td style=" padding-top: 0pt; border-top: none; padding-right: 5.4pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; width: 147.6pt; padding-left: 5.4pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt;" width="197" valign="top"> <p style=" text-align: justify;">64</p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td style=" padding-bottom: 0pt; width: 147.6pt; padding-left: 5.4pt; border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; padding-top: 0pt; padding-right: 5.4pt;" width="197" valign="top"> <p style=" text-align: justify;">162</p> </td> <td style=" padding-top: 0pt; border-top: none; padding-right: 5.4pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; width: 147.6pt; padding-left: 5.4pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt;" width="197" valign="top"> <p style=" text-align: justify;">53</p> </td> <td style=" padding-top: 0pt; border-top: none; padding-right: 5.4pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; width: 147.6pt; padding-left: 5.4pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt;" width="197" valign="top"> <p style=" text-align: justify;">66</p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td style=" padding-bottom: 0pt; width: 147.6pt; padding-left: 5.4pt; border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; padding-top: 0pt; padding-right: 5.4pt;" width="197" valign="top"> <p style=" text-align: justify;">165</p> </td> <td style=" padding-top: 0pt; border-top: none; padding-right: 5.4pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; width: 147.6pt; padding-left: 5.4pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt;" width="197" valign="top"> <p style=" text-align: justify;">55</p> </td> <td style=" padding-top: 0pt; border-top: none; padding-right: 5.4pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; width: 147.6pt; padding-left: 5.4pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt;" width="197" valign="top"> <p style=" text-align: justify;">68</p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td style=" padding-bottom: 0pt; width: 147.6pt; padding-left: 5.4pt; border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; padding-top: 0pt; padding-right: 5.4pt;" width="197" valign="top"> <p style=" text-align: justify;">167</p> </td> <td style=" padding-top: 0pt; border-top: none; padding-right: 5.4pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; width: 147.6pt; padding-left: 5.4pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt;" width="197" valign="top"> <p style=" text-align: justify;">57</p> </td> <td style=" padding-top: 0pt; border-top: none; padding-right: 5.4pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; width: 147.6pt; padding-left: 5.4pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt;" width="197" valign="top"> <p style=" text-align: justify;">70</p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td style=" padding-bottom: 0pt; width: 147.6pt; padding-left: 5.4pt; border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; padding-top: 0pt; padding-right: 5.4pt;" width="197" valign="top"> <p style=" text-align: justify;">170</p> </td> <td style=" padding-top: 0pt; border-top: none; padding-right: 5.4pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; width: 147.6pt; padding-left: 5.4pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt;" width="197" valign="top"> <p style=" text-align: justify;">58</p> </td> <td style=" padding-top: 0pt; border-top: none; padding-right: 5.4pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; width: 147.6pt; padding-left: 5.4pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt;" width="197" valign="top"> <p style=" text-align: justify;">72</p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td style=" padding-bottom: 0pt; width: 147.6pt; padding-left: 5.4pt; border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; padding-top: 0pt; padding-right: 5.4pt;" width="197" valign="top"> <p style=" text-align: justify;">172</p> </td> <td style=" padding-top: 0pt; border-top: none; padding-right: 5.4pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; width: 147.6pt; padding-left: 5.4pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt;" width="197" valign="top"> <p style=" text-align: justify;">60</p> </td> <td style=" padding-top: 0pt; border-top: none; padding-right: 5.4pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; width: 147.6pt; padding-left: 5.4pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt;" width="197" valign="top"> <p style=" text-align: justify;">74</p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td style=" padding-bottom: 0pt; width: 147.6pt; padding-left: 5.4pt; border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; padding-top: 0pt; padding-right: 5.4pt;" width="197" valign="top"> <p style=" text-align: justify;">175</p> </td> <td style=" padding-top: 0pt; border-top: none; padding-right: 5.4pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; width: 147.6pt; padding-left: 5.4pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt;" width="197" valign="top"> <p style=" text-align: justify;">62</p> </td> <td style=" padding-top: 0pt; border-top: none; padding-right: 5.4pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; width: 147.6pt; padding-left: 5.4pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt;" width="197" valign="top"> <p style=" text-align: justify;">76</p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td style=" padding-bottom: 0pt; width: 147.6pt; padding-left: 5.4pt; border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; padding-top: 0pt; padding-right: 5.4pt;" width="197" valign="top"> <p style=" text-align: justify;">177</p> </td> <td style=" padding-top: 0pt; border-top: none; padding-right: 5.4pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; width: 147.6pt; padding-left: 5.4pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt;" width="197" valign="top"> <p style=" text-align: justify;">64</p> </td> <td style=" padding-top: 0pt; border-top: none; padding-right: 5.4pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; width: 147.6pt; padding-left: 5.4pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt;" width="197" valign="top"> <p style=" text-align: justify;">79</p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td style=" padding-bottom: 0pt; width: 147.6pt; padding-left: 5.4pt; border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; padding-top: 0pt; padding-right: 5.4pt;" width="197" valign="top"> <p style=" text-align: justify;">180</p> </td> <td style=" padding-top: 0pt; border-top: none; padding-right: 5.4pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; width: 147.6pt; padding-left: 5.4pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt;" width="197" valign="top"> <p style=" text-align: justify;">66</p> </td> <td style=" padding-top: 0pt; border-top: none; padding-right: 5.4pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; width: 147.6pt; padding-left: 5.4pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt;" width="197" valign="top"> <p style=" text-align: justify;">81</p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td style=" padding-bottom: 0pt; width: 147.6pt; padding-left: 5.4pt; border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; padding-top: 0pt; padding-right: 5.4pt;" width="197" valign="top"> <p style=" text-align: justify;">182</p> </td> <td style=" padding-top: 0pt; border-top: none; padding-right: 5.4pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; width: 147.6pt; padding-left: 5.4pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt;" width="197" valign="top"> <p style=" text-align: justify;">67</p> </td> <td style=" padding-top: 0pt; border-top: none; padding-right: 5.4pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; width: 147.6pt; padding-left: 5.4pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt;" width="197" valign="top"> <p style=" text-align: justify;">83</p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td style=" padding-bottom: 0pt; width: 147.6pt; padding-left: 5.4pt; border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; padding-top: 0pt; padding-right: 5.4pt;" width="197" valign="top"> <p style=" text-align: justify;">185</p> </td> <td style=" padding-top: 0pt; border-top: none; padding-right: 5.4pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; width: 147.6pt; padding-left: 5.4pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt;" width="197" valign="top"> <p style=" text-align: justify;">69</p> </td> <td style=" padding-top: 0pt; border-top: none; padding-right: 5.4pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; width: 147.6pt; padding-left: 5.4pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt;" width="197" valign="top"> <p style=" text-align: justify;">85</p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td style=" padding-bottom: 0pt; width: 147.6pt; padding-left: 5.4pt; border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; padding-top: 0pt; padding-right: 5.4pt;" width="197" valign="top"> <p style=" text-align: justify;">187</p> </td> <td style=" padding-top: 0pt; border-top: none; padding-right: 5.4pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; width: 147.6pt; padding-left: 5.4pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt;" width="197" valign="top"> <p style=" text-align: justify;">71</p> </td> <td style=" padding-top: 0pt; border-top: none; padding-right: 5.4pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; width: 147.6pt; padding-left: 5.4pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt;" width="197" valign="top"> <p style=" text-align: justify;">87</p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td style=" padding-bottom: 0pt; width: 147.6pt; padding-left: 5.4pt; border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; padding-top: 0pt; padding-right: 5.4pt;" width="197" valign="top"> <p style=" text-align: justify;">190</p> </td> <td style=" padding-top: 0pt; border-top: none; padding-right: 5.4pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; width: 147.6pt; padding-left: 5.4pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt;" width="197" valign="top"> <p style=" text-align: justify;">73</p> </td> <td style=" padding-top: 0pt; border-top: none; padding-right: 5.4pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; width: 147.6pt; padding-left: 5.4pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt;" width="197" valign="top"> <p style=" text-align: justify;">90</p> </td> </tr> </table> <p style=" text-align: justify;">&#160;</p> <p style=" text-align: center;"><img alt="" src="http://www.ebmamerica.com/upload/userimages/indian-newspaper1.jpg" /></p> http://www.ebm.com.my/obesity_causes_early_death1.html 2010-03-09T23:13:03Z

Schutte said he found a strong interest from South East Asian companies wanting to penetrate the U.S., Latin American and Caribbean markets by establishing offices with South Florida being the hub. Schutte and his team met with representatives from over 25 companies in Hong Kong

<table align="left" id="table1" border="0" width="295"> <tr> <td><img alt="" width="295" src="http://www.ebmamerica.com/upload/userimages/hongkongpromenade1.jpg" height="240" align="left" border="0" /></td> </tr> <tr> <td> <p align="center"><font face="Arial" size="1">Bernhard Schutte, Chairman and Chief Negotiator of EBM International, center, with Justin John, Executive Assistant of EBM Asia Pacific Division (Malaysia) at right and Marcus Koch, Executive Assistant of EBM Americas Division (USA) during the WorldSME Expo in Hong Kong.</font></p> </td> </tr> </table> <p><font size="2" face="Arial">The Association of Bi-National Chambers of Commerce in Florida (ABICC) just returned from a successful trade mission to Hong Kong. Among the active participants was Bernhard Schutte, Chairman and Chief Negotiator of EBM, Schutte said he found a strong interest from South East Asian companies wanting to penetrate the U.S., Latin American and Caribbean markets by establishing offices with South Florida being the hub.<br /> Schutte and his team met with representatives from over 25 companies in Hong Kong that had requested appointments with his company, EBM, to inquire about establishing offices in South Florida.</font></p> <p><font size="2" face="Arial">After the meetings Schutte and his team traveled on to Thailand and Malaysia where Schutte gave a seminar on behalf of the U.S. Departament of Commerce, hosted by the Federation of Malaysian manufacturers.</font></p> <p><font size="2" face="Arial">For the past three years, Schutte, who lives in Broward County and is a specialist in international business, has been working closely with the U.S. Department of Commerce, the Federation of Malaysian Manufactures and various other organizations around the world to promote South Florida and Malaysia as hubs for international business.<br /> <br /> Ed. Note: To see a profile of Bernhard Schutte visit our web site at</font> <a href="http://www.promenadenews.com"><font size="2" face="Arial">www.promenadenews.com</font></a></p> http://www.ebm.com.my/South_Florida_Promoted_In_China__Thailand_and_Mala.html 2010-03-09T23:13:03Z

Malaysia’s obese people are on the increase and their chances of contracting modern illnesses are double. With an aim of reducing obesity in the country, Damansara Specialist Hospital has created “The Severe Obesity Centre” operated by a team of very experienced surgeons, doctors and medical assistants to perform “Laparoscopic Gastric Bypass” to assist obese people to reduce weight.

<p>Malaysia’s obese people are on the increase and their chances of contracting modern illnesses are double. With an aim of reducing obesity in the country, Damansara Specialist Hospital has created “The Severe Obesity Centre” operated by a team of very experienced surgeons, doctors and medical assistants to perform “Laparoscopic Gastric Bypass” to assist obese people to reduce weight.</p> <p>Also known as “Roux-en-y”, Laparoscopic Gastric Bypass” will restrict obese people’s food intake and reduce food absorption. After the surgery, all food taken will bypass the stomach and go directly into the intestine.</p> <p>Damansara Specialist Hospital Severe Obesity Centre started its operation in November 2006. Interested patients will need to go through a series of tests and counseling by a team of Doctors comprising General &#38; Gastro Intestinal Surgeon, Advance Laparoscopic &#38; Obesity Surgeon, Psychologist, Radiologist, Anesthetic, Gastro, Lung and Cardiac Specialists and Plastic Surgeon.</p> <p>Both Dr. Haron and Dr. Sukumar are Consultant Surgeons of Advance Surgical Training (AST). AST is based in Florida USA and managed under the supervision of Dr. Norman Samuels, American Executive Surgeon and Dr. Paul Wizman, Medical Director of Bariatrix, Florida. Both Dr. Samuels and Dr. Wizman are very experienced surgeons and have done over 2,000 and 1,000 surgeries respectively. Dr. Samuels said Laparoscopic Gastric Bypass is not new and has been in practice for sometime. The main advantage of this surgery is low risk and patients can recuperate within a short period.</p> <p>Damansara Specialist Hospital is currently conducting free tests and diagnoses for the public who are obese and want to know whether they are suitable to do this surgery. Dr. Samuels said this surgery is suitable for obese people between the ages of 18 to 63 years.</p> <p>Dr. Wizman said from testing, diagnose, counseling to surgery will cost around 40,000 Ringgit Malaysia. He said patients also need to return to the hospital for post surgery observation for a period of time.</p> <p align="center"><img alt="" src="http://www.ebmamerica.com/upload/userimages/newspaper_chinese1.jpg" /></p> http://www.ebm.com.my/Damansara_Specialist_Hospital_offering_Laparoscopi.html 2010-03-09T23:13:03Z

“People don’t realize that Malaysia is a carbon copy of South Florida in Southeast Asia,” says Bernhard Schutte, CEO of Digital Media Network in Fort Lauderdale and a member of the trade mission. Like Miami, he explains, Malaysia is a spot where multiple nationalities congregate. And just as South Florida provides a gateway to Latin America, with major cities in the region an average of four hours away by plane, Malaysia is a four hour jet trip from many of Southeast Asia’s key cities.

<p align="right"><span style=" font-size: 8pt;">by Claudio Mendonca<br align="right" /> WorldCity Business Magazine</span></p> <p align="left"><img alt="" align="left" src="http://www.ebmamerica.com/upload/userimages/Miami Malaysia connection.jpg" hspace="10" border="0" />Most of the road from Kuala Lumpur International Airport is lined with oil palm trees, a visual reminder of one of Malaysia’s important trade commodities. Oil from these trees is shipped around the globe for use in both food and in the production of soap and other products.</p> <p>The palm oil joins computers, cell phone transmission apparatus, color televisions, rubber gloves, wood furniture and other products leaving the country in growing quantities and, increasingly, making their way to the United States. In 2005, Malaysia was the United States’ tenth most important trading partner – the first time it slipped into the Top 10 – as the commercial exchange between the two grew nearly 13 percent to exceed $44 billion.</p> <p>Now Malaysia is on track to boost that trade even more. And South Florida is poised to play a role.<br /> More than three dozen business leaders – representing 30 South Florida companies – headed off on a trade mission to Malaysia in 2005, a year that saw South Florida’s trade with the Southeast Asian nation leap more than 30 percent to $221.8 million. In April 2006, Malaysia opened a trade office in Miami, only the third in the United States after New York and Los Angeles. Nova Southeastern University has begun offering doctorate courses in Kuala Lumpur. And even the IFE Americas Food and Beverage show in Miami Beach in early November had displays of Malaysian food products.</p> <p>“People don’t realize that Malaysia is a carbon copy of South Florida in Southeast Asia,” says Bernhard Schutte, CEO of Digital Media Network in Fort Lauderdale and a member of the trade mission. Like Miami, he explains, Malaysia is a spot where multiple nationalities congregate. And just as South Florida provides a gateway to Latin America, with major cities in the region an average of four hours away by plane, Malaysia is a four hour jet trip from many of Southeast Asia’s key cities.</p> <p>Just as Miami is filling with skyscrapers, Malaysia’s symbol has become the towering Petronas twin towers, housing the government oil industry offices and a collection of multinationals. (The towers are the second tallest buildings in the world after the Taipei 101 in Taiwan.) Even Malaysia’s hot and humid weather is similar to that of South Florida.</p> <p>Trade results for the first three quarters of 2006 show Malaysia’s exchange with South Florida totaling $162 million, down 1.5 percent from the same period a year earlier. Imports dipped 0.5 percent to $143.1 million while Malaysia-bound exports from the Miami Customs District fell 8.7 percent to $18.9 million.</p> <p>But Malaysian trade officials are unfazed by the slip, explaining that their interest in Miami is not only as a final destination for products but also as a transshipment point to the Caribbean, Colombia and Venezuela. Colombia is Malaysia’s eighth most important trading partner in Latin America, while Venezuela is its tenth.<br /> “Miami is the ideal place to showcase products and warehouse inventories for smaller importers in the Caribbean and Latin America,” says Islahuddin Hassan, director of the Miami office of the Malaysia Trade Center, or Matrade.</p> <p>The Dominican Republic and Jamaica are top buyers of Malaysian-made electrical machinery while Haiti imports palm oil. Hassan says electrical and electronic machinery are shipped in volume to South America. Colombia is a market for Malaysian-made apparel, machinery, appliances, rubber products and chemicals. Venezuela, meanwhile, imports electrical equipment, shoes, clothing and plastics.<br /> Matrade Miami is not the only office for the region. The entity has branches in São Paulo, Santiago and Mexico City. For the first nine months of 2006, Malaysia’s exports to Latin America grew by almost 40 percent, according to Matrade. By the same token, shipments from Latin countries to Malaysia grew 25 percent.</p> <p><strong>Putting on the gloves</strong></p> <p>Malaysia is a hot country, with temperatures in the 80s, but it is hotter still in the rubber glove factory operated by Supermax in the city of Sungai Buloh, 12 miles northwest of Kuala Lumpur. Men and women in blue uniforms and masks sit along conveyor belts where white gloves rhythmically pass by. The gloves are for medical use, for the food preparation industry and for workers at computer chipmaker Intel.<br /> At some work stations, the gloves are inflated with air to test for punctures, just one of the quality-control procedures designed to ensure the rubber gloves meet U.S. Food and Drug Administration standards. “If they don’t meet Food and Drug Administration requirements, gloves can’t enter the country,” says Dato’ Seri Stanley Thai, group managing director at the rubber company. Supermax ships 66 percent of its exports to the Americas, with the United States accounting for 40 percent of that total. Eight percent of those shipments pass through Miami en route to Central America.<br /> In total, the Miami Customs District imported $5.1 million-worth of rubber products, principally gloves, from Malaysia last year. That was nearly double the value of the same imports in 2004.<br /> While Miami is a destination for rubber gloves, it’s just as likely to be a transshipment point for Malaysian wood and wood furniture. Furniture alone makes up more than a quarter of Malaysia’s exports and 37 percent of those shipments goes to the United States. In 2005, U.S. furniture imports from Malaysia rose 24 percent to close the year at nearly $544 million.</p> <p>Hassan at Matrade says some of the furniture passing through the Miami Customs District continues on the Caribbean. Still, he adds, there is room for more goods to stay in South Florida. He says Malaysian timber could feed the demand from Miami’s construction sector, adding that Malaysian building material suppliers need to begin forging ties with South Florida construction companies.<br /> Expanding trade ties</p> <p>Because of its geographical proximity, the Miami Customs District has long relied on trading partners in the Caribbean and Latin America. In the past two years, however, the origin of container vessels arriving at South Florida ports has shifted slightly and commerce with Asia has been on the rise. Although trade between Miami and Malaysia grew 30 percent in 2005, the Southeast Asian nation remains Miami’s forty-third trading partner, far behind China, Taiwan and South Korea and just ahead of neighboring Thailand.<br /> That said, the proposed widening of the Panama Canal to accommodate large post Panamax vessels will likely boost Florida and U.S. East Coast trade with Asia. Malaysia is positioning itself to take advantage of that.</p> <p>Just as Malaysia understands what Miami can offer it as both a market for goods and as a transshipment point, South Florida may do well by diluting its dependency on Latin American markets. For one thing, if – as economists assert – the future is a knowledge economy – then Malaysia is certainly positioned to take advantage of that. Cyberjaya is evidence of that.</p> <p>Cyberjaya – part of a so-called “multimedia super corridor” – resembles a U.S. college campus, with wide, low-rise buildings separated by lush landscaping and walkways. Inside the air-conditioned buildings, Intel has its global design center and employees of companies such as DHL develop scanners.</p> <p>Opened in the late 1990s, Cyberjaya was promoted as a “fresh place to think.” Malaysian government and business leaders decided the country should create an information technology hub to attract leading companies. They implemented fiscal incentives to persuade the multinationals to use Cyberjaya as the place to develop cutting edge products and technologies for export. Those incentives include a 10-year exemption from Malaysian corporate taxes, which average 28 percent a year.</p> <p>“We want Malaysia to start moving from a production to a knowledge-based economy,” says Bill Chin, program director at Multimedia Development Corp., the company that manages Cyberjaya. “We see Cyberjaya as a playground for companies, and we want them to stay and continue to play here.”</p> <p><strong>Boosting Florida exports</strong></p> <p>Enterprise Florida says Malaysia’s trade with the state as a whole is on the rise, with Florida imports from the Asian nation doubling to $391.5 million in 2005. Exports rose 55 percent last year to $50.3 million.<br /> Florida’s major exports to Malaysia include computer hardware, medical devices and aircraft parts.<br /> John Diep, Enterprise Florida’s director of the Asia-Pacific region, says commerce between the state and Malaysia has good growth potential in coming years. In particular, he says there are opportunities for Florida exporters.</p> <p>“There is a tremendous amount of interest on their side in doing business. Their economy is growing and politically the country is very stable,” says Diep, indicating that there was a possibility of another trade mission to Malaysia in 2007. “I wish we had more money to promote Florida even more in Southeast Asia.”<br /> A U.S. Malaysia Free Trade Agreement under negotiation could also boost future trade. In October, the two nations concluded a third round of trade talks but did not report headway on the sensitive issue of government procurement. Malaysian government contracts are awarded to the country’s majority ethnic Malays. The United States wants a trade pact that eliminates that favoritism.</p> <p>At Matrade in Miami, meanwhile, Hassan is also optimistic about the future – although he cautions that South Florida’s trade growth with Malaysia will also be affected by economic conditions in Latin America.</p> http://www.ebm.com.my/Miami_Malaysia_Connection.html 2010-03-09T23:13:03Z

Last month's business trade mission to Hong Kong's SME World Expo fair was a great success, according to several South Florida trade officials and business leaders.

<p align="right"><font size="1" face="Arial">South Florida Business Journal - December 29, 2006<br /> by Julia Neyman</font></p> <p><img alt="" align="left" vspace="0" hspace="6" src="http://www.ebmamerica.com/upload/userimages/DSC01876-1-1.JPG" /><font size="2" face="Arial">Last month's business trade mission to Hong Kong's SME World Expo fair was a great success, according to several South Florida trade officials and business leaders.</font></p> <p><font size="2" face="Arial">The global city's affinity for the English language and familiarity with Western business practices helped local delegates who attended its massive trade show from Nov. 29 to Dec. 1 strike deals and find prospective partners from both Hong Kong and mainland China.</font></p> <p><font size="2" face="Arial">&quot;When you deal with Hong Kong it's like dealing with any country in the world that is developed and prepared to do international business,&quot; said Lita Haeger, president of the Association of Bi-National Chambers of Commerce in Florida, which led the mission. &quot;By being introduced by them to China, we believe that we are in the right hands.&quot;</font></p> <p><font size="2" face="Arial">Haeger said the 46 delegates, who stayed in top hotels and were &quot;treated like VIPs,&quot; took advantage of several networking opportunities and symposiums at the annual world expo. Seminars on doing business with Latin America were especially popular, since half of the South Florida delegates were from Latin American countries, Haeger said.</font></p> <p><font size="2" face="Arial">&quot;They could immediately meet the people who wanted to do business in Latin America,&quot; Haeger said. &quot;They took the opportunity right on the spot. We didn't even think about it, but it happened that they did two things at once.&quot;</font></p> <p><font size="2" face="Arial">One such delegate was Luis Bonilla, president of Interlink18, a plastic and chemical trading company that has operations in Peru, Venezuela and Miami. Bonilla said he made contacts with Chinese companies that will potentially supply plastic resin for his manufacturing in Peru.</font></p> <p><font size="2" face="Arial">&quot;I had made some contacts (in Asia) before but it truly has to be Hong Kong, because you can speak English with everyone,&quot; said Bonilla, noting that when he ventured into Beijing after the expo he had a hard time communicating with the mainland population.</font></p> <p><font size="2" face="Arial">Bonilla said while he didn't strike any concrete deals, he accomplished his goal of establishing communication with prospective Chinese partners.</font></p> <p><font size="2" face="Arial">&quot;I made my contacts. I know who the people are now, and we start from there,&quot; he said.<br /> Digital Media Network CEO Bernhard Schutte set the record by meeting with 25 companies during the three-day symposium. Schutte extended his visit to travel to Thailand and Malaysia, where he spoke to more than 160 manufacturers interested in using South Florida as a hub. Schutte was not the only delegate who took advantage of business contacts outside the expo. Miami attorney Robert Rigal used his time to solidify relationships with existing clients from Hong Kong and China, and gave a lecture on business and social relationships between mainland China and Latin America.</font></p> <p><font size="2" face="Arial">Rigal, who also attended last year's SME World Expo, said while much of his work took place outside the fair facilities, the expo gave his law firm, Diaz Reus Rolff &amp; Traug LLP, enough legitimacy to prospect foreign companies and make new clients.</font></p> <p><font size="2" face="Arial">&quot;The trade mission was ancillary to much of the work we did there,&quot; he said. &quot;However, the mission gave us a profile and a marketing platform that I would have not been able to have but for the mission.&quot;<br /> Haeger said she plans to lead another Hong Kong trade mission next year, and hopes to institutionalize the SME World Expo as an annual opportunity for South Florida businesses.</font></p> <p><font size="2" face="Arial">&quot;We cannot find a better partner than Hong Kong to introduce us to China,&quot; she said. &quot;And the whole world is looking for opportunities to get into China.&quot;</font></p> <p><font size="2" face="Arial">E-mail international business writer Julia Neyman at <a href="mailto:jneyman@bizjournals.com">jneyman@bizjournals.com</a></font></p> http://www.ebm.com.my/Mission_finds_pathway_to_China_and_Hong_Kong.html 2010-03-09T23:13:03Z

Mr. Bernhard Schutte, Chairman and Chief Negotiator of EBM, found a strong interest of South East Asian companies wanting to penetrate the United States, Latin American, and Caribbean markets by establishing offices in South Florida as a hub.

<p><font size="2" face="Arial">(Fort Lauderdale, Fla., December 20, 2006) - - The Association of Bi-National Chambers of Commerce in Florida (ABICC) just returned from a successful trade mission to Hong Kong, lead by Lita Haeger, President of ABICC.</font></p> <p><font size="2" face="Arial">One of the most active participants, Mr. Bernhard Schutte, Chairman and Chief Negotiator of EBM, found a strong interest of South East Asian companies wanting to penetrate the United States, Latin American, and Caribbean markets by establishing offices in South Florida as a hub.</font></p> <p><font size="2" face="Arial">Mr. Schutte and his team met over 25 companies in Hong Kong that had requested appointments with his company EBM, to inquire about establishing offices in South Florida. Afterwards Mr. Schutte and his team traveled to Thailand and Malaysia where Mr. Schutte gave a seminar on behalf of the US Department of Commerce and hosted by the Federation of Malaysian manufacturers. Mr. Schutte spoke to over 160 Malaysian manufacturers in Kuala Lumpur and Penang who are interested to use South Florida as a hub.</font></p> <p><font size="2" face="Arial">For the past three years, Mr. Schutte, a specialist in International Business, has been working closely with the US Department of Commerce, the Federation of Malaysian Manufacturers (Malaysia) and various other organizations world wide to promote South Florida and Malaysia as hubs for international business.</font></p> <div align="center"> <table width="300" cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="4" id="table12"> <tr> <td><span style=" font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12.0pt;"><img width="300" height="259" alt="" src="http://www.ebmamerica.com/upload/userimages/ebm-team-seminar.jpg" /></span></td> </tr> <tr> <td> <p align="left"><font face="Arial" size="1">Left to right:&nbsp; Marcus Koch, Executive Assistant of EBM Americas Division (USA) – Bernhard Schutte, Chairman and Chief Negotiator of EBM International – Justin Jong, Executive Assistant of EBM Asia Pacific Division (Malaysia)</font></p> </td> </tr> </table> </div> <table cellspacing="0" height="20" border="0" id="table13" cellpadding="0"> <tr> <td>&nbsp;</td> </tr> </table> <div align="center"> <table width="300" cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="4" id="table2"> <tr> <td><img alt="" src="http://www.ebmamerica.com/upload/userimages/LitaHaeger.jpg" /></td> </tr> <tr> <td> <p align="left"><font face="Arial" size="1">Left to right: Bernhard Schutte Chairman and Chief Negotiator of EBM International – &nbsp;Lita Haeger, President of ABICC</font></p> </td> </tr> </table> </div> <table cellspacing="0" height="20" border="0" id="table8" cellpadding="0"> <tr> <td>&nbsp;</td> </tr> </table> <div align="center"> <table width="300" cellspacing="0" border="0" id="table3" cellpadding="4"> <tr> <td><font face="Arial" size="2"> <img width="300" height="225" alt="" src="http://www.dmni.com/upload/userimages/FMM1.jpg" /></font></td> </tr> <tr> <td> <p align="left"><font face="Arial" size="1">Left to right: Jhitraporn Techacharn, Director General – Office of SMEs Promotion Thailand – Bernhard Schutte Chairman and Chief Negotiator of EBM International Kuala Lumpur – Manufacturers at the Seminar on doing Business in the in the USA, Latin America, and the Caribbean by using South Florida as a hub.</font></p> </td> </tr> </table> </div> <table cellspacing="0" height="20" border="0" id="table9" cellpadding="0"> <tr> <td>&nbsp;</td> </tr> </table> <div align="center"> <table width="300" cellspacing="0" border="0" id="table4" cellpadding="4"> <tr> <td><font face="Arial" size="2"> <img width="300" height="225" alt="" src="http://www.dmni.com/upload/userimages/Seminar.jpg" /></font></td> </tr> <tr> <td><font face="Arial" size="1">Kuala Lumpur – Seminar on doing Business in the in the USA, Latin America, and the Caribbean by using South Florida as a hub.</font></td> </tr> </table> </div> <table cellspacing="0" height="20" border="0" id="table10" cellpadding="0"> <tr> <td>&nbsp;</td> </tr> </table> <div align="center"> <table width="300" cellspacing="0" border="0" id="table5" cellpadding="4"> <tr> <td><font face="Arial" size="2"> <img width="300" height="225" alt="" src="http://www.dmni.com/upload/userimages/Seminar1.jpg" /></font></td> </tr> <tr> <td><font face="Arial" size="1">Left to right: Joe Kaesshaefer, Commercial Counselor Embassy of the United States of America – Tn. Hj. Md. Khair Bin Ahmad, FMM Council Member – &nbsp;Bernhard Schutte, CEO of DMNI, Chairman and Chief Negotiator of EBM International</font></td> </tr> </table> </div> <p><font face="Arial" size="2">FMM Council Member Tn. Hj. Md. Khair Bin Ahmad presents Mr. Schutte with a gift of appreciation for giving the seminar to the Malaysian Manufactures in Kuala Lumpur</font></p> <div align="center"> <table width="300" cellspacing="0" border="0" id="table6" cellpadding="4"> <tr> <td><font face="Arial" size="2"> <img width="300" height="295" alt="" src="http://www.dmni.com/upload/userimages/Seminal2.jpg" /></font></td> </tr> <tr> <td><font face="Arial" size="1">Left to right: Tn. Hj. Md. Khair Bin Ahmad, FMM Council Member – &nbsp;Bernhard Schutte, CEO of DMNI, Chairman and Chief Negotiator of EBM International</font></td> </tr> </table> </div> <p><font face="Arial" size="2">Dato’ Muhammad Bin Ismail, Vice Chairman of FMM Northern Branch, presents Mr. Schutte with a gift of appreciation for giving the seminar to the Malaysian Manufactures in Penang</font></p> <div align="center"> <table width="300" cellspacing="0" border="0" id="table7" cellpadding="4"> <tr> <td><font face="Arial" size="2"> <img width="300" height="454" alt="" src="http://www.dmni.com/upload/userimages/Penang_Seminar.jpg" /></font></td> </tr> <tr> <td> <p align="left"><font face="Arial" size="1">Left to right: Dato’ Muhammad Bin Ismail, Vice Chairman of FMM Northern Branch – Mr. Bernhard Schutte, Chairman and Chief Negotiator of EBM International</font></p> </td> </tr> </table> </div> <table cellspacing="0" height="20" border="0" id="table11" cellpadding="0"> <tr> <td>&nbsp;</td> </tr> </table> <div align="center"> <table width="52%" border="0" cellpadding="0" id="table1"> <tr> <td width="190&lt;font size=" face="Arial" valign="top"><font face="Arial" size="2">For more information contact:</font></td> <td valign="top"> <p><font face="Arial" size="2">Bernhard Schutte, CEO<br /> DMNI<br /> Phone 954-333-7777<br /> Fax 954-333-7774</font></p> </td> </tr> </table> </div> http://www.ebm.com.my/Asian_Companies_interested_in_opening_offices_in_S.html 2010-03-09T23:13:03Z

Although the roundtable participants disputed details of South Florida’s demographics, they agreed on the importance of a diverse community in building and energizing the area’s appeal for businesses. All five participants at this gathering – banker, real estate developer, airline manager, software developer and industrial manufacturer – are clearly the richer because of it. But if diversity is Miami’s biggest strength, then measures to discourage immigration in the U.S. may be its biggest threat. Although the roundtable participants disputed details of South Florida’s demographics, they agreed on the importance of a diverse community in building and energizing the area’s appeal for businesses. All five participants at this gathering – banker, real estate developer, airline manager, software developer and industrial manufacturer – are clearly the richer because of it. But if diversity is Miami’s biggest strength, then measures to discourage immigration in the U.S. may be its biggest threat.

<p align="right"><span style=" font-size: 8pt;">6CEO RoundTable<br align="right" /> by WC</span></p> <p><img alt="" vspace="3" align="left" hspace="6" src="http://www.ebmamerica.com/upload/userimages/worldcity%20-%20ceo%20round%20table-1.jpg" />“I’m guessing that I’m the only one at this table born in this country,” said Stephen Owens, a native of North Carolina and the president of Swire Properties, when he introduced himself at WORLDCITY’s most recent<br /> monthly CEO Roundtable breakfast. He was right.<br /> <br /> Owens’ companions were Cuban-born lawyer Ramon Rasco, chairman of US Century Bank; Brazilian-born and Argentine-bred Nicholas Anderson, president of John Crane Latin America; Chilean Luis Eduardo Riquelme, vice president for North and Central America at LAN Airlines; and South African Bernhard Schutte, CEO of software company DMNI (Ditigal Media Network) based in Fort Lauderdale.<br /> <br /> Despite Owens’ homegrown status, the company he heads is anything but parochial. Swire Properties is part of a global behemoth, the Swire Group, with two international headquarters, one in Hong Kong, home to publicly traded Swire Pacific, and another in London, John Swire &amp; Sons, a private holding company.<br /> <br /> Founded in 1816 in Liverpool and present in Hong Kong since 1870, the Swire Group today has 136,000 employees working in shipping, airlines, beverages, marine services, road transport, trading, real estate and agriculture across the globe. The group’s crown jewels include Cathay Pacific Airways, China’s Coca Cola operations, vast agricultural holdings in Australia, massive property development in Asia and a prominent North Sea oil service company, not to mention the venerable British tea company, James Finlay &amp; Co. Limited, founded in 1750 with plantations in East Africa, India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.<br /> <br /> In South Florida, Swire Properties, the developer of swanky Brickell Key, is leaving its distinct mark on the<br /> Miami skyline and shoreline. That a Hong Kong and London-based group would establish such a strong presence here led to a lively discussion about what is touted as one of South Florida’s most important comparative advantages: its ethnic and cultural diversity.<br /> <br /> From a sleepy backwater, Miami has evolved – in large part due to the influx of Cuban exiles – into a cauldron of entrepreneurial activity. And now it is increasingly a magnet for multinationals. “Diversity,” said Owens, echoing a common refrain, “is Miami’s greatest strength.”<br /> <br /> But Schutte, whose software business is booming in South East Asia, southern Africa and other parts of the<br /> world – with the notable exception of Latin America – challenged that conventional wisdom. “When it comes to diversity,” said Schutte, “Miami is way behind other international business hubs. The diversity here consists of Latin Americans and that’s about it.” Schutte said companies in South Florida have barely begun to look at Asia and Africa, and only when they really take an interest in the world beyond Latin America and Europe will diversity really flourish.<br /> <br /> “The Asians are not even here yet, but the prospects for Asia doing business in Latin America are huge,” Schutte said. He sees the recent opening of the Malaysia trade office in Miami (see Miami’s Malaysian Connection, p. 24) as just the beginning of Miami’s Asian awakening. Accepting Schutte’s challenge, Owens revealed that the Asians are already present in a big way, at least in Miami’s real estate market.<br /> <br /> “Over the past 15 years,” said Owens, “some of the principal owners of the major buildings in the Brickell area of downtown Miami have been Malaysians, Singaporeans and investors from Hong Kong.” Swire is currently working with a Malaysian partner on a major real estate development that has yet to be announced.<br /> <br /> “Asians may not be here in terms of numbers or in terms of restaurants – we all know how hard it is to find a good Malaysian curry – but there certainly is an awareness of Miami and real estate investment is often a precursor of other things to come,” Owens added. That may very well be, said Anderson, who runs the Latin American division of British-owned John Crane, a precision manufacturer of mechanical seals for heavy industry, but he maintained “Miami is still heavily biased toward Latin America.” He acknowledged that more than 60 percent of the population was born outside the United States, the highest percentage of any major urban area in the country, but said “85 percent of those people are probably from Latin America.”<br /> <br /> And while the number of Asians may increase, every participant at the CEO Roundtable said it is unlikely to shift Miami’s makeup in a significant way any time soon. “It’s a simple question of geography,” said Rasco, the co-founder of US Century Bank. Rasco, however, is not concerned about the origin of Miami’s residents. His company is too busy leveraging the diversity, regardless of its breakdown.<br /> <br /> US Century Bank, which focuses on small and medium-sized businesses, is literally banking on the entrepreneurial forces that diversity unleashes in South Florida. “This area attracts people from all over the world. They come here not just to buy a second home but to do business and to open businesses,” he said. “We see that every day.” One sector attracting a lot of new investment at the moment, said Rasco, is healthcare. “We see a lot of loan demand for new healthcare ventures.”<br /> <br /> Miami’s diversity is also a direct driver of business for LAN, the successful Chilean-owned airline that is a model of efficiency and profitability. Growing trade with Latin America is boosting LAN’s lucrative cargo operations and Miami’s concentration of corporate regional headquarters is feeding its business travel segment. But the market known within the airline business as VFR, for “visiting family and relatives, is also contributing to LAN’s success. Latin Americans in South Florida are an important component of that market. “As long as people who live here but still have their families in Latin America continue to do well, this will be an important driver of our business,” said Riquelme at LAN.<br /> <br /> Although the roundtable participants disputed details of South Florida’s demographics, they agreed on the importance of a diverse community in building and energizing the area’s appeal for businesses. All five participants at this gathering – banker, real estate developer, airline manager, software developer and industrial manufacturer – are clearly the richer because of it. But if diversity is Miami’s biggest strength, then measures to discourage immigration in the U.S. may be its biggest threat. Said Swire’s Owens, the lone U.S.-born participant at the table: “Immigration and the immigrant work ethic are fundamental to this country and it’s critical that we not lose that. And it’s particularly important for Miami because it brings that international energy.”</p> http://www.ebm.com.my/WorldCity_Business_Magazine___CEO_RoundTable.html 2010-03-09T23:13:03Z

One local CEO is looking south to do business - South Africa, to be exact. Fort Lauderdale business consultant Bernhard Schutte, founder of Digital Media Network, took an 11-day trip to South Africa and Botswana to plan an upcoming trade mission to the region.

<p><font face="Arial"><span style=" color: #0072BC; font-size: 12pt;">One local CEO is looking south to do business - South Africa, to be exact.</span></font><span style=" font-size: 10pt;"></span></p> <p><font face="Arial"><span style=" font-size: 10pt;">Fort Lauderdale business consultant <strong>Bernhard Schutte</strong>, founder of <strong>Digital Media Network</strong>, took an 11-day trip to South Africa and Botswana to plan an upcoming trade mission to the region.</span></font><span style=" font-size: 10pt;"></span></p> <p><font face="Arial"><span style=" font-size: 10pt;">Schutte and his team inspected several potential sites throughout Capetown and Johannesburg, and met with South African officials to identify opportunities for the South Florida delegation slated to arrive next October. Among the industries identified: aerospace, manufacturing, marine, retail, freight and information communications technology.</span></font><span style=" font-size: 10pt;"></span></p> <p><font face="Arial"><span style=" font-size: 10pt;">Schutte said he chose Capetown for the trade mission because of the similarities between the port city and Fort Lauderdale.</span></font><span style=" font-size: 10pt;"></span></p> <p><font face="Arial"><span style=" font-size: 10pt;">"They're both water cities and they have the same growth problems, in terms of logistics and harbors," he said. "They are both very involved with trade."</span></font><span style=" font-size: 10pt;"></span></p> <p><font face="Arial"><span style=" font-size: 10pt;">Schutte spent the second half of his trip in Botswana, where he attended the Botswana World Expo and identified several opportunities for South Florida businesses in the country's energy sector. As energy contracts between Botswana and South Africa expire next year, energy prices are expected to increase drastically in Botswana, according to the nation's economic officials.</span></font></p> <p align="right"><font size="2" face="Arial">Julia Neyman<br /> </font><font size="1" face="Arial">South Florida Business Journal</font></p> http://www.ebm.com.my/Heading_South.html 2010-03-09T23:13:03Z

Africa Opportunity - Pre-Mission Trip October 2006 to Cape Town, Johannesburg in South Africa and Gaborone in Botswana. Bernhard Schutte meet with key people to talk about the Trade Mission.

<p style=" font-family: Arial;"><strong> <font size="2">Thursday October 12^th - Cape Town</font></strong></p> <ul> <li type="square"> <p><strong><font face="Arial" color="#000080" size="2">Meeting with Mr. Mansoor Mohamed - Executive Director for Economic &amp; Social Development for the City of Cape Town.</font></strong></p> </li> </ul> <blockquote> <p><font face="Arial" size="2">Mr. Mohamed committed his full support to make the mission a success for everyone. One of the sectors that has great opportunities in Cape Town is ICT (Information Communications Technologies).</font></p> </blockquote> <div align="center"> <table cellspacing="0" width="377" id="table1" cellpadding="0" border="0"> <tr> <td><font face="Arial" size="2"><span style=" color: black;"><img alt="Mr. Bernhard Schutte - Mr. Mansoor Mohamed, Executive Director for Economic &amp; Social Development for the City of Cape Town" src="http://www.ebmamerica.com/upload/userimages/skcnxjxq54690.jpg" title="Mr. Bernhard Schutte - Mr. Mansoor Mohamed, Executive Director for Economic &amp; Social Development for the City of Cape Town" width="375" height="351" border="1" /></span></font></td> </tr> <tr> <td height="40"> <p align="center"><font face="Arial" size="1">Mr. Bernhard Schutte - Mr. Mansoor Mohamed, Executive Director for Economic &amp; Social Development for the City of Cape Town</font></p> </td> </tr> </table> </div> <ul> <li type="square"> <p><font face="Arial" size="2" color="#000080"><strong>Meeting with the Executive Mayor of Cape Town, Ms. Helen Zille.</strong></font></p> </li> </ul> <p style=" margin-left: 40.0px;">Mayor Helen Zille committed her full support for the trade mission. Ms. Zille also requested a proposal for a Sister City agreement between Cape Town and Fort Lauderdale.<br /> </p> <p><strong>Friday, October 13th - Cape Town</strong></p> <ul type="square"> <li><font face="Arial" size="2" color="#000080"><strong>Meeting with Dr. Gerald Wolman, Chairman for the International Trade Forum and Ms. Narieman Solomon, Business Information Officer, The Cape Chamber of Commerce.</strong></font></li> </ul> <p style=" margin-left: 40.0px;">Dr. Wolman and Ms. Solomon were pleased to hear about the trade mission and committed their full support. Dr. Wolman requested that we arrange for involvement of the Rotary Club in Cape Town and Fort Lauderdale.<br /> </p> <ul> <li type="square"><font face="Arial" size="2" color="#000080"><strong>Meeting with Nils Flaatten, acting CEO of WESGRO.</strong></font></li> </ul> <p style=" margin-left: 40.0px;"><font face="Arial" size="2">Mr. Flaatten outlined some of the needs and opportunities in Cape Town. He put special focus on the aerospace industry. Mr. Flaatten asked DMNI to start negotiations with NASA to select a South African to go to space.</font></p> <div align="center"> <table cellspacing="0" width="326" id="table2" cellpadding="0" border="0"> <tr> <td><font face="Arial" size="2"> <img alt="Mr. Bernhard Schutte - Mr. Nils Flaatten, acting CEO of WESGRO" src="http://www.ebmamerica.com/upload/userimages/ngkwqxiq54691.jpg" title="Mr. Bernhard Schutte - Mr. Nils Flaatten, acting CEO of WESGRO" width="324" height="333" border="1" /></font></td> </tr> <tr> <td height="25"> <p align="center"><font face="Arial" size="1">Mr. Bernhard Schutte - Mr. Nils Flaatten, acting CEO of WESGRO</font></p> </td> </tr> </table> </div> <ul type="square"> <li><font face="Arial" size="2" color="#000080"><strong>Meeting with Mr. Luzuko Mdunyelwa, Director for External Relations for the City of Cape Town</strong></font></li> </ul> <blockquote> <p><font face="Arial" size="2">Mr. Luzuko will do everything in his power to assist us in planning and organizing a successful trade mission.</font></p> </blockquote> <div align="center"> <table cellspacing="0" width="326" id="table3" cellpadding="0" border="0"> <tr> <td><img alt="Mr. Luzuko Mdunyelwa, Director for External Relations for the City of Cape Town- Mr. Bernhard Schutte" src="http://www.ebmamerica.com/upload/userimages/pmzmfrqu54692.jpg" title="Mr. Luzuko Mdunyelwa, Director for External Relations for the City of Cape Town- Mr. Bernhard Schutte" width="336" height="343" border="1" /></td> </tr> <tr> <td height="40"> <p align="center"><font face="Arial" size="1"><span style=" color: black;">Mr.</span></font><span style=" color: black;"> </span><font face="Arial" size="1">Luzuko Mdunyelwa, Director for External Relations for the City of Cape Town - Mr. Bernhard Schutte</font></p> </td> </tr> </table> </div> <p style=" font-family: Arial;"><strong> <font size="2">Monday, October 16^th - Johannesburg</font></strong></p> <ul> <li type="square"><font face="Arial" size="2" color="#000080"><strong>Meeting with Mr. Keith Brebnor (CEO); Ms. Nada Reyneke, Head of International Trade; Ms. Liz Mitchell, Head of Information Centre, Johannesburg Chamber of Commerce &amp; Industry.</strong></font></li> </ul> <blockquote> <p><font face="Arial" size="2">Mr. Brebnor and his team are very enthusiastic about assisting their members to match up with American companies. The chamber will research opportunities in Johannesburg. The One opportunity identified already is the Security Sector (airport/port scanners)</font></p> </blockquote> <div align="center"> <table cellspacing="0" width="313" id="table4" cellpadding="0" border="0"> <tr> <td><font face="Arial" size="2"><img alt="Mr. Bernhard Schutte - Mr. Keith Brabnor, CEO of Johannesburg Chamber of Commerce &amp; Industry - Ms. Liz Mitchell, Head of Information Centre" src="http://www.ebmamerica.com/upload/userimages/htmkggqa54693.jpg" title="Mr. Bernhard Schutte - Mr. Keith Brabnor, CEO of Johannesburg Chamber of Commerce &amp; Industry - Ms. Liz Mitchell, Head of Information Centre" width="311" height="329" border="1" /></font></td> </tr> <tr> <td height="60"> <p align="center"><span style=" font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: Arial; font-weight: normal;"> <font size="1">&nbsp;</font></span><font face="Arial" size="1">Mr. Bernhard Schutte - Mr. Keith Brabnor, CEO of Johannesburg Chamber of Commerce &amp; Industry - Ms. Liz Mitchell, Head of Information Centre</font></p> </td> </tr> </table> </div> <p style=" font-family: Arial;"><font size="2"><strong>Tuesday, October 17^th - Johannesburg</strong></font></p> <ul type="square"> <li><font face="Arial" size="2" color="#000080"><strong>Meeting with Mr. Xolile George, Executive Director for Economic Development, City of Johannesburg</strong></font></li> </ul> <blockquote> <p><font face="Arial" size="2">Mr. George and his team committed their full support to assist us in bringing a successful trade mission to Johannesburg. Some opportunities identified by Mr. George and his team are ICT (Information Communications Technologies) and tourism.</font></p> </blockquote> <div align="center"> <table cellspacing="0" width="313" id="table5" cellpadding="0" border="0"> <tr> <td><font face="Arial" size="2"><img alt="Mr. Thokozani Thwala, Investment Facilitation and BEE Portfolio - Mr. David J. Van Niekerk, Program Manager: Joburg 2030 - Mr. Bernhard Schutte - Mr. Xolile George, Executive Director for Economic Development" src="http://www.ebmamerica.com/upload/userimages/nejezwnn54694.jpg" title="Mr. Thokozani Thwala, Investment Facilitation and BEE Portfolio - Mr. David J. 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She identified the Educational Sector to have huge opportunities. Ms. Grant offered to speak to the delegation about challenges and solutions when entering the South African Market.</font></p> </blockquote> <div align="center"> <table cellspacing="0" width="313" id="table6" cellpadding="0" border="0"> <tr> <td><font face="Arial" size="2"><img alt="Ms. Luanne Grant, Executive Director, Amcham - Mr. Bernhard Schutte - Ms. Tongila Manly, Managing Director, Enterprise Florida Southern Africa" src="http://www.ebmamerica.com/upload/userimages/uuxkgleu54695.jpg" title="Ms. Luanne Grant, Executive Director, Amcham - Mr. Bernhard Schutte - Ms. Tongila Manly, Managing Director, Enterprise Florida Southern Africa" width="384" height="339" border="1" /></font></td> </tr> <tr> <td height="40"> <p align="center"><font face="Arial" size="1">Ms. Luanne Grant, Executive Director, Amcham - Mr. Bernhard Schutte - Ms. Tongila Manly, Managing Director, Enterprise Florida Southern Africa</font></p> </td> </tr> </table> </div> <ul> <li type="square"><font face="Arial" size="2" color="#000080"><strong>Meeting with US Commercial Service: Ms. Pamela Ward, Deputy Senior Commercial Officer; Mr. Johan van Rensburg, Commercial Specialist</strong></font></li> </ul> <blockquote> <p><font face="Arial" size="2">Ms. Ward and Mr. van Rensburg were most helpful in identifying the needs and opportunities and South Africa. They said that they will support this mission where ever possible. Some of the opportunities identified include Aerospace, Defense, Safety and Security, and Water &amp; Environmental Technologies.</font></p> </blockquote> <div align="center"> <table cellspacing="0" width="313" id="table7" cellpadding="0" border="0"> <tr> <td><img alt="Mr. Johan van Rensburg, Commercial Specialist - Ms. Pamela Ward, Deputy Senior Commercial Officer - Mr. Bernhard Schutte" src="http://www.ebmamerica.com/upload/userimages/vnmvsftx54725.jpg" title="Mr. Johan van Rensburg, Commercial Specialist - Ms. Pamela Ward, Deputy Senior Commercial Officer - Mr. Bernhard Schutte" width="396" height="408" border="1" /></td> </tr> <tr> <td height="40"> <p align="center"><font face="Arial" size="1">Mr. Johan van Rensburg, Commercial Specialist - Ms. Pamela Ward, Deputy Senior Commercial Officer - Mr. Bernhard Schutte</font><font size="1"><span style=" font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: Arial; font-weight: normal;">&nbsp;</span></font></p> </td> </tr> </table> </div> <ul> <li type="square"><font face="Arial" size="2" color="#000080"><strong>Meeting with Mr. Smuts L. 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Ngonyama, Speaker of the House, ANC - Mr. Bernhard Schutte - Mr. Blacky Komani</font><font size="1"><span style=" font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: Arial; font-weight: normal;">&nbsp;</span></font></p> </td> </tr> </table> </div> <p class="MsoNormal"><font face="Arial" size="2"><strong>Wednesday, October 18^th - Gaborone</strong></font></p> <ul> <li type="square"><font face="Arial" size="2" color="#000080"><strong>Meeting with Ms. Mmasekgoa Masire-Mwamba, CEO of BEDIA</strong></font></li> </ul> <blockquote> <p><font face="Arial" size="2">Ms. Masire-Mwamba is fully supportive of the mission. In fact Ms. Masire-Mwamba will visit Florida beginning of 2007 to start the process of opening a BEDIA office in Florida. BEDIA will promote and the support the trade mission as much as possible.</font></p> </blockquote> <div align="center"> <table cellspacing="0" width="313" id="table9" cellpadding="0" border="0"> <tr> <td><img alt="Mr. Bernhard Schutte - Ms. Mmasekgoa Masire-Mwamba, CEO of BEDIA" src="http://www.ebmamerica.com/upload/userimages/nugsjzka54719.jpg" title="Mr. Bernhard Schutte - Ms. Mmasekgoa Masire-Mwamba, CEO of BEDIA" width="348" height="516" border="1" /></td> </tr> <tr> <td height="25"> <p align="center"><font face="Arial" size="1">Mr. Bernhard Schutte - Ms. Mmasekgoa Masire-Mwamba, CEO of BEDIA</font></p> </td> </tr> </table> </div> <p class="MsoNormal"><font face="Arial" size="2"><strong>Thursday, October 19^th - Gaborone</strong></font></p> <ul> <li type="square"> <p class="MsoNormal"><font face="Arial" size="2" color="#000080"><strong>Meeting with Mr. Blackie Marole, Managing Director of Debswana, Botswana De Beers partner.</strong></font></p> </li> </ul> <blockquote> <p class="MsoNormal"><font face="Arial" size="2">Mr. Marole is supportive of the mission and is looking forward to explorer possible business opportunities with the incoming delegation.</font></p> </blockquote> <div align="center"> <table cellspacing="0" width="313" id="table10" cellpadding="0" border="0"> <tr> <td><img alt="Mr. -Blackie- Marole, Managing Director of Debswana - Mr. Bernhard Schutte" src="http://www.ebmamerica.com/upload/userimages/jkmlyihk54720.jpg" title="Mr. -Blackie- Marole, Managing Director of Debswana - Mr. Bernhard Schutte" width="383" height="349" border="1" /></td> </tr> <tr> <td height="25"> <p align="center"><font face="Arial" size="1">Mr. Blackie Marole, Managing Director of Debswana - Mr. Bernhard Schutte</font></p> </td> </tr> </table> </div> <p class="MsoNormal"><font face="Arial" size="2"><strong>Friday, October 20^th - Gaborone</strong></font></p> <ul> <li type="square"><font face="Arial" size="2" color="#000080"><strong>Meeting with Her Excellency Katherine H. 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Schutte - Mr. James Hogan, Commercial Officer</font></p> </td> </tr> </table> </div> <ul> <li> <p class="MsoNormal"><font face="Arial" size="2" color="#000080"><strong>Meeting with His Honor&nbsp;President of Botswana Festus Mogae</strong></font></p> </li> </ul> <blockquote> <p class="MsoNormal"><font face="Arial" size="2">Mr. Schutte briefed the President of Botswana about the incoming trade mission.</font></p> </blockquote> <div align="center"> <table cellspacing="0" width="313" id="table12" cellpadding="0" border="0"> <tr> <td><img alt="Bernhard Schutte - Ms. Mmasekgoa Masire-Mwamba, CEO of BEDIA - Mr. Festus Mogae, President of Botswana" src="http://www.ebmamerica.com/upload/userimages/fdtgzfuj54722.jpg" title="Bernhard Schutte - Ms. Mmasekgoa Masire-Mwamba, CEO of BEDIA - Mr. Festus Mogae, President of Botswana" width="504" height="429" border="1" /></td> </tr> <tr> <td height="40"> <p align="center"><font face="Arial" size="1">Bernhard Schutte - Ms. Mmasekgoa Masire-Mwamba, CEO of BEDIA - President of Botswana Festus Mogae</font></p> </td> </tr> </table> </div> <ul> <li type="square"><font face="Arial" size="2" color="#000080"><strong>Meeting with Minister Neo. Moroka, Minister of Trade and Industry; Mr. Gaylard Kombani, Deputy Permanent Secretary</strong></font></li> </ul> <blockquote> <p><font face="Arial" size="2">Minister Moroka will work close together with DMNI to make the trade mission most successful.</font></p> </blockquote> <div align="center"> <table cellspacing="0" width="313" id="table13" cellpadding="0" border="0"> <tr> <td><img alt="Hon Neo. Moroka, Minister of Trade and Industry - Mr. Bernhard Schutte - Mr. Gaylard Kombani, Deputy Permanent Secretary" src="http://www.ebmamerica.com/upload/userimages/hzghvlqx54723.jpg" title="Hon Neo. Moroka, Minister of Trade and Industry - Mr. Bernhard Schutte - Mr. Gaylard Kombani, Deputy Permanent Secretary" width="444" height="432" border="1" /></td> </tr> <tr> <td height="40"> <p align="center"><font face="Arial" size="1">Hon. Neo. Moroka, Minister of Trade and Industry - Mr. Bernhard Schutte - Mr. Gaylard Kombani, Deputy Permanent Secretary</font></p> </td> </tr> </table> </div> <p class="MsoNormal"><font face="Arial" size="2"><strong>Sunday, October 22^nd - &nbsp;Washington, DC</strong></font></p> <ul> <li type="square"><font face="Arial" size="2" color="#000080"><strong>Meeting with the Botswana Ambassador to the USA, His Excellency Caesar Lekoa, Debriefing.</strong></font></li> </ul> <blockquote> <p><font face="Arial" size="2">Mr. Schutte briefed Ambassador Lekoa about the successful pre-mission trip to Botswana. The Ambassador is fully supportive of the trade mission. He and the Ambassador of South Africa will come to Florida to publicly announce and promote the trade mission.</font></p> </blockquote> <div align="center"> <table cellspacing="0" width="313" id="table14" cellpadding="0" border="0"> <tr> <td><img alt="Mr. Bernhard Schutte - Botswana Ambassador to the USA, His Excellency Caesar Lekoa" src="http://www.ebmamerica.com/upload/userimages/jpqtryzo54724.jpg" title="Mr. Bernhard Schutte - Botswana Ambassador to the USA, His Excellency Caesar Lekoa" width="330" height="256" border="1" /></td> </tr> <tr> <td height="40"> <p align="center"><font face="Arial" size="1">Mr. Bernhard Schutte and His Excellency Caesar Lekoa, Botswana Ambassador to the USA</font></p> </td> </tr> </table> </div> <p align="center"><font face="Arial" size="2">The website for the AfricaOpportunity mission to southern Africa will be up soon and will provide more details about the upcoming mission. <a href="http://www.africaopportunity.com">http://www.africaopportunity.com</a></font></p> http://www.ebm.com.my/Africa_Opportunity___Pre_Mission_Trip_October_2006.html 2010-03-09T23:13:03Z

Bernhard Schutte visited Washington, DC to meet with various officials and organizations to discuss the planning of a Florida District Export Council trade mission to South Africa and Botswana. Meetings on other ongoing projects were also made.

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Just another "win-win" project for South Florida's international deal-maker.

<p><font face="Arial"><span style=" font-size: 10pt;">Published in the promenade Newspaper October 2006 edition</span></font><span style=" font-size: 10pt;"></span></p> <table border="0" cellspacing="0" align="left" cellpadding="0" id="table1" width="186"> <tr> <td width="173"><span style=" font-size: 10pt;"><img border="0" alt="" src="http://www.ebmamerica.com/upload/userimages/BernhardSchutte.jpg" /></span></td> <td><span style=" font-size: 10pt;"></span></td> </tr> <tr> <td width="173"> <p align="center"><font face="Arial"><span style=" font-size: 8pt;">Bernhard Schutte</span></font><span style=" font-size: 10pt;"></span></p> </td> <td><span style=" font-size: 10pt;"></span></td> </tr> </table> <p><font face="Arial"><span style=" font-size: 10pt;">Bernhard Schutte sees the world as a neighborhood where people know and help each other. If his time was not consumed by his travels around the globe putting together recipes for business development, Schutte would likely be cooking up some of his favorite dishes to share with his neighbors and friends.<br /> &#160;Around 1996 Schutte brought his successful company, Digital Media Network, Inc. (DMNI), to South Florida and from his base of operations in Broward County found ways to help his local community while at the same time bringing together leaders at the highest level of the public and private sector for international projects.<br /> In 2005 he led the largest trade mission ever conducted to Malaysia. South Florida leaders in education, business and government participated in the mission which is continuing to bear economic fruit.<br /> <br /> Ray Ferrero Jr., President of Nova Southeastern University (NSU) was encouraged by Schutte to be part of the Malaysia mission and Dr. Ferrero's personal involvement has resulted in the development of an advanced degree program for 20 to 30 Malaysian students at NSU. "We have two faculty members who are in Malaysia," he added.</span></font><span style=" font-size: 10pt;"></span></p> <table border="0" cellspacing="0" align="right" cellpadding="0" id="table2" width="172"> <tr> <td><span style=" font-size: 10pt;">&#160;&#160;&#160;</span></td> <td><span style=" font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"><img alt="" height="204" border="0" align="right" width="171" src="http://www.ebmamerica.com/upload/userimages/CaeserLekoa.jpg" /></span><span style=" font-size: 10pt;"></span></td> </tr> <tr> <td><span style=" font-size: 10pt;"></span></td> <td> <p align="center"><span style=" font-size: 8pt;"><font face="Arial">His Excellency Lapologang Caeser Lekoa, Botswana's Ambassador to the USA</font></span><span style=" font-size: 10pt;"></span></p> </td> </tr> </table> <p><span style=" font-size: 10pt;"><font face="Arial">"Bernhard Schutte has the ability to see opportunity, and more importantly, he is very good at following up," Dr. Ferrero said. As president of one of the fastest growing private universities in the country, Ray Ferrero does not have time to waste. "We saw that Bernhard was able to put us together with the top decision makers in Malaysia. He brings the leadership to the table," Dr. Ferrero noted.</font></span></p> <p><span style=" font-size: 10pt;"><font face="Arial">That was the case when His Excellency Lapologang Caeser Lekoa, Botswana's Ambassador to the USA came to South Florida for a visit. Schutte invited over some friends, cooked up one of his signature dishes and further solidified a vision he has to help thousands of Botswana's orphaned children.<br /> <br /> The South African country is a long time democracy with a very stable government and plenty of natural resources but it also has the second highest rate of AIDS in the world and life expectancy has dropped from 67 years of age to 45. The government has calculated that roughly 160,000 children are orphans.</font></span></p> <table border="0" cellspacing="0" align="left" cellpadding="0" id="table5" width="277"> <tr> <td><span style=" font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"><img height="164" alt="" border="0" width="264" src="http://www.ebmamerica.com/upload/userimages/RayFerrero.jpg" /></span><span style=" font-size: 10pt;"></span></td> <td><span style=" font-size: 10pt;"></span></td> </tr> <tr> <td width="264"> <p align="center"><span style=" font-size: 8pt;"><font face="Arial">Bernhard Schutte and friends at a recent gathering. From left, Linda Cooke of the Habilitation Center in Boca Raton, Schutte, Essie “Big Mama” Reed and Ray Ferrero Jr., President of Nova Southeastern University. Cooke is part of the team working on the Botswana project. In photo at right is Botswana Ambassador to the United States, His Excellency Laplogang Caesar Lekoa.</font></span><span style=" font-size: 10pt;"></span></p> </td> <td width="13"><span style=" font-size: 10pt;"></span></td> </tr> </table> <p><span style=" font-size: 10pt;"><font face="Arial">"Because I am from Southern Africa, the situation greatly affected me," Schutte said. "My personal action plan is two-fold. First I must create stable homes for the orphans, and second, a Center of Excellence must be formed to aid the children in becoming effective members of the world community."</font></span></p> <p><span style=" font-size: 10pt;"><font face="Arial">Since Schutte, the international dealmaker, defined his vision he has, as Dr. Ferrero so succinctly put it, "followed up." Schutte brought together a "world-class team of philanthropists and business professionals", met with the World Bank, the Botswana government and local leaders and surveyed the 250 acre site where the community of homes and Center of Excellence will be built. "It will be run as a business," Schutte added.<br /> <br /> "It appears to me that the key to Mr. Schutte's success has been his philosophy of seeking a 'win-win' outcome for business collaboration," said Dato Sheikh Abdul Khalid Ghazzali, Malaysia's Ambassador to the U.S. The Ambassador has been involved in the trade mission to his country and credited Schutte with being able to "tap his extensive business networks in both the U.S. and Malaysia to bring about partnerships which meet not only their precise needs and expectations but provide mutual benefits to both parties."</font></span></p> <table border="0" cellspacing="0" align="right" cellpadding="0" id="table4" width="219"> <tr> <td><span style=" font-size: 10pt;"></span></td> <td width="212"><span style=" font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"><img height="152" alt="" border="0" align="right" width="206" src="http://www.ebmamerica.com/upload/userimages/NormanSamuels.jpg" /></span><span style=" font-size: 10pt;"></span></td> </tr> <tr> <td><span style=" font-size: 10pt;"></span></td> <td width="212"> <p align="center"><span style=" font-size: 8pt;"><font face="Arial">Among Bernhard Schutte’s business projects<br /> is the establishment of the “Weight Management Center” in Malaysia. Recently, Bariatric Surgeon, Dr. Norman Samuels, of<br /> the Center for Severe Obesity (CSO) in Fort Lauderdale, welcomed Malaysian physicians, Dr. Sukumar Nadesan, left and Dr. Haron Ahmad on the right, to CSO.</font></span><span style=" font-size: 10pt;"></span></p> </td> </tr> </table> <p><span style=" font-size: 10pt;"><font face="Arial">Bernhard Schutte sees such international dealings as an extension of his personal philosophy of helping people whether it is half way around the world or in his own back yard. Just ask Essie "Big Mama" Reid, a woman who has spent her life helping children and families in her Northwest Fort Lauderdale neighborhood. Schutte became friends with Big Mama, helped her with her community projects and brokered the arrival of the ABC Television show, "Extreme Makeover - Home Edition" to build a community center for Big Mama.<br /> <br /> Just another "win-win" project for South Florida's international deal-maker.<br /> <br /> Ed. Note: Bernhard Schutte is CEO of Digital Media Network, Inc. , (DMNI), <a href="http://www.dmni.com">www.dmni.com</a> and Electronic Business Management (EBM) <a href="http://www.ebmmerica.com">www.ebmmerica.com</a>. To learn more about the World Philanthropy Investment Foundation Corporation visit <a href="http://www.wpif.org">www.wpif.org</a>.</font></span></p> http://www.ebm.com.my/For_Dealmaker_the_Key_is_to_Bring_Top_Leadership.html 2010-03-09T23:13:03Z

South Florida businessman Bernhard Schutte travels the world to bring people together for projects, large and small but his latest humanitarian endeavor has the potential to dramatically improve thousands of lives and propel a South African nation into the international spotlight.

<p><span style=" font-family: Geneva; font-size: 10.0pt;"><font face="Arial"><img align="right" width="286" height="219" border="1" alt="" src="http://www.ebmamerica.com/upload/userimages/Cesar_Lekoa_Benhard_Schutte_Linda_Cooke.jpg" /></font></span><font size="2" face="Arial">South Florida</font> businessman Bernhard Schutte travels the world to bring people together for projects, large and small but his latest humanitarian endeavor has the potential to dramatically improve thousands of lives and propel a South African nation into the international spotlight.</p> <p><font size="2" face="Arial">Through Digital Media Network, Inc. (DMNI), Schutte and business partner, Thomas Bernthaler have put into motion a plan to build an entire village to provide homes for orphans in the nation of Botswana. Schutte has assembled a team that includes Roy Rogers, considered the &quot;Father&nbsp; of Weston&quot; now a city in Western Broward County, Ray Ferrero, President of Nova Southeastern University, and Linda Cooke, Director of the Habilitation Center in Boca Raton, just to name a few.</font></p> <p><font size="2" face="Arial">The Republic of Botswana has been an independent nation since 1966 and has gone from being one of the poorest nations in the world to one of the richest non-oil producing countries in Africa. Diamonds can be a country's best friend and Botswana has three diamond mines with exports in the billions of dollars.</font></p> <table align="left" id="table1" cellspacing="0" width="300" border="0" cellpadding="6"> <tr> <td><font size="2" face="Arial"> <img align="left" width="283" height="213" border="1" alt="" src="http://www.ebmamerica.com/upload/userimages/Ray_Fererro_Benhard_Schutte_Linda_Cooke_Big_Mama.jpg" /></font></td> </tr> <tr> <td> <p align="center"><font size="1" face="Arial"> <span style=" font-family: Helvetica-Bold;"> <strong>From left: Linda Cooke of the Habilitation Center in Boca Raton, Bernhard Schutte, Essie &quot;Big Mama&quot; Reed and Ray Ferrero Jr., President of Nova Southeastern University.</strong></span></font></p> </td> </tr> </table> <p><font size="2" face="Arial">But the other side of the story is that Botswana has lost hundreds of thousands of its people to AIDS and the epidemic has left many more thousands</font></p> <p><font size="2" face="Arial">of children without parents. &quot;Our vision and goal is to set up homes for the orphans of Botswana in a complete village setting with the entire infrastructure necessary,&quot; Schutte told the Promenade. &quot;We have already identified a 252 acre site and will be visiting Botswana to begin preparations,&quot; he added.</font></p> <p><font size="2" face="Arial">There have been meetings with the World Bank and funding is being lined up for the project. Professionals from all walks of life and volunteers are being recruited to take part in the effort.</font></p> <p><font size="2" face="Arial">This is no small undertaking but Schutte said the government is</font> <font size="2" face="Arial">behind the effort and providing support. Recently His Excellency Lapologang Caesar Lekoa, the Ambassador of Botswana to the</font></p> <table align="right" id="table2" cellspacing="0" width="195" border="0" cellpadding="6"> <tr> <td><span style=" font-size: 10.0pt; font-family: Helvetica-Bold;"><strong> <img align="right" width="194" height="255" border="1" alt="" src="http://www.ebmamerica.com/upload/userimages/Shabnam_Cesar_Lekoa.jpg" /></strong></span></td> </tr> <tr> <td> <p align="center"><font size="1" face="Arial">Above, left, Ambassador Lekoa, left talks with host Shabnam Alibhai at her Fort Lauderdale home. At right, Ambassador Lekoa.</font></p> </td> </tr> </table> <p><font size="2" face="Arial">United States, met with friends, business partners and supporters of Schutte at a dinner party hosted by Schutte and Shabnam Alibhai at Alibhai's home in Fort Lauderdale.</font></p> <p><font size="2" face="Arial">It is one of things that Schutte does best, bringing together leaders in their professions to work toward a common goal. Among his recent publicized endeavors was a series of trade missions to Malaysia which is already generating new business opportunities. He also worked to bring national focus on the efforts of Essie &quot;Big Mama&quot; Reed to help children in her Northwest Fort Lauderdale neighborhood. As a result, the ÅBC program Extreme Makeover - Home Edition brought in crews to build a community center and broadcast the result.</font></p> <p><font size="2" face="Arial">But why Botswana? Schutte's answer is immediate. &quot;I am from South Africa. It is where I grew up and had so many wonderful experiences. I want to give back to the part of the world from which I came.&quot;</font></p> <p><span style=" font-family: Helvetica-Bold;"><strong><font size="2" face="Arial">Ed. Note:</font></strong></span> <font size="2" face="Arial">To learn more about DMNI visit their web site at <a href="http://www.dmni.com">www.dmni.com</a>. There are links to the Malaysian Trade Mission and &quot;Big Mama.&quot; Also see <a href="http://www.promenadenews.com">www.promenadenews.com</a>.</font></p> http://www.ebm.com.my/Village_for_Orphans_In_Botswana_Goal_of_South_Flor.html 2010-03-09T23:13:03Z

The southeast Asian nation of Malaysia is starting up a trade office in South Florida. Launch builds on mission to Asia last year

<div id="subhead"><strong><font size="2" face="Verdana,Arial, Helvetica">Launch builds on mission to Asia last year</font></strong></div> <p align="right"><font size="2" face="Verdana,Arial, Helvetica"><span id="byline">By Doreen Hemlock</span><br align="right" /> <span id="titleline">South Florida Sun-Sentinel</span></font></p> <div id="text"><font size="2" face="Verdana,Arial, Helvetica">The southeast Asian nation of Malaysia is starting up a trade office in South Florida.<br /> <br /> But while the office was first touted for Fort Lauderdale, officials opted instead for Miami, a city with a greater concentration of international business and better known in the fast modernizing, middle-income nation of 25 million people.<br /> <br /> &quot;Maybe it's because we watch <em>CSI: Miami</em> in Malaysia,&quot; joked Islahuddin A. Hassan, director of the Malaysia External Trade Development Corp., who is staffing the office at the Blue Lagoon complex near Miami International Airport.<br /> <br /> The new office underscores Asia's growing weight in the world economy and in South Florida, where trade or consular offices also are operated by Japan, Taiwan, South Korea and Thailand.<br /> <br /> The launch also builds on a nearly 40-member business mission to Malaysia last year organized by Fort Lauderdale consultant Bernhard Schutte. He operates a partnership in Malaysia's capital, Kuala Lumpur, for his Fort Lauderdale-based Digital Media Network Inc.<br /> <br /> Schutte had suggested Malaysia consider Broward County for its new office.<br /> <br /> But officials turned down that plan because, he said, &quot;Most Malaysians have never heard of Fort Lauderdale.&quot;<br /> <br /> Even so, the new office aims to work with Broward business groups including the Broward Alliance, Schutte said.<br /> <br /> A former British colony about the size of New Mexico, Malaysia has emerged as the 10th largest U.S. trade partner, thanks to soaring exports of high-tech goods made by U.S. companies such as Motorola, Dell and Apple.Computer-chip maker Intel Corp., for instance, has invested nearly $2 billion in Malaysian operations that employ about 8,000 people, according to a just released report by Coral Gables-based publisher WorldCity Inc.<br /> <br /> In 2005, Malaysia posted $44.1 billion in goods trade with the United States, up 13 percent.<br /> <br /> That's more than the United States trades with Italy or Venezuela, according to WorldCity's 88-page report which details U.S. goods trade of $2.58 trillion last year.<br /> <br /> From its new Miami office, Malaysia aims to boost its sales of high-tech goods, furniture, rubber products and processed foods to the United States and across Latin America and the Caribbean.<br /> <br /> Trade should be stoked too, once Washington and Malaysia wrap up a pending free-trade agreement, Hassan said.<br /> <br /> Malaysia already operates trade offices in Los Angeles and New York.<br /> <br /> <em>Doreen Hemlock can be reached at dhemlock@sun-sentinel.com or 305-810-5009.<br /> <br /> </em></font> <p><cite><font size="2" face="Verdana,Arial, Helvetica">Copyright © 2006, <a href="http://www.sun-sentinel.com/">South Florida Sun-Sentinel</a></font></cite></p> </div> http://www.ebm.com.my/Miami_lands_Malaysia_s_Florida_trade_office.html 2010-03-09T23:13:03Z

The Center for Severe Obesity Inc. (CSO), Florida, USA today signs a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) with KPJ Healthcare Berhad’s hospital, Damansara Specialist Hospital (DSH) to set up the first obesity surgery center in Asia.

<p><span style=" font-size: 10pt;">Kuala Lumpur 3 March – The Center for Severe Obesity Inc. (CSO), Florida, USA today signs a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) with KPJ Healthcare Berhad’s hospital, Damansara Specialist Hospital (DSH) to set up the first obesity surgery center in Asia.</span></p> <p><span style=" font-size: 10pt;">This will be Called “Weight Management Center”, it will be housed at the DSH, in Damansara Utama. The center which will be opened in June 2006 will offer comprehensive treatment for healthy weight management and severe obesity. This is the first of its kind in the Asian pacific region.</span></p> <p><span style=" font-size: 10pt;">The Architect of the deal was Bernhard Schutte, Chairman and chief negotiator of EBM America basted in fort Lauderdale Florida. Signing on behalf of the CSO is the President, Dr Norman Samuels, while DSH is by the Executive Director, Encik Mohamad Sahir Rahmat. The ceremony is witnessed by His Excellency US Ambassador Christopher J. LaFleur.</span></p> <p><span style=" font-size: 10pt;">Also present are the Commercial Counselor of US Embassy, Mr Joe Kaesshaefer, and Dato’ Rosnah Majid, CEO of Electronic Business Management Sdn. Bhd. (EBM).</span></p> <p><span style=" font-size: 10pt;">This signing ceremony is the fruit of the Opportunity Malaysia Trade Mission 2005 from South Florida, organized by Florida District export council and led by Bernhard Schutte of EBM, an international business consultancy company and supported by the Commercial Section, American Embassy, here.</span></p> <p><span style=" font-size: 10pt;">The CSO was one of the mission members that visited Kuala Lumpur, Penang and Kedah from Feb. 27 to March 6 2005. EBM is proud to successfully conclude this deal of the joint venture between DSH and CSO.</span></p> <p><span style=" font-size: 10pt;">The founder of CSO, Dr Samuels, is a renowned obesity surgeon and recognized worldwide as a pioneer in this field. He had performed over 3,000 obesity operations to date. With his clinic based in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, he is also a Bariatric Surgeon who specializes in gastric bypass for the treatment of patients who suffer from obesity.</span></p> <p><span style=" font-size: 10pt;">The services at the Weight Management Center in DSH will be supported by a team of surgeons specializing in laparoscopic surgery.</span></p> <p><span style=" font-size: 10pt;">This will be a comprehensive program with the support of numerous other specialists including dietary, psychology and various other physicians and specialists.</span></p> <p><span style=" font-size: 10pt;">The Consultant Surgeons involved are required to receive training in the United States in the surgical procedures and will receive further training in Malaysia. All specialists, nurses and others will be trained by the CSO. The qualified surgeons will then be able to practice in Malaysia under the supervision of Dr. Samuels for the open gastric bypass and Dr. Jorge Sosa for laparoscopic gastric bypass.</span></p> <p><span style=" font-size: 10pt;">“I am very happy with the program provided by DSH and KPJ Healthcare and the enthusiasm of the staff to make this center a reality,” said Dr Samuels at the signing ceremony at DSH today.</span></p> <p><span style=" font-size: 10pt;">“Early last year, when Mr. Schutte approached me to participate in the Opportunity Malaysia Trade Mission 2005 and told me about the opportunity in Malaysia I never thought this will be the result. My wife and I agreed to come just for a vacation,”</span></p> <p><span style=" font-size: 10pt;">“I would like to thank EBM for working hard to put this joint venture together. This Weight Management Center comes at the right time as part of the Malaysian Government’s quest to ensure a healthy nation. ”</span></p> <p><span style=" font-size: 10pt;">“Malaysia will be a good hub for medical tourism in the world market. This center will cater to potential patients from all over the world,” said Dr Samuels.</span></p> <p><span style=" font-size: 10pt;">The CSO was established in 1985 at a time when surgery for obesity was regarded by both the public and the medical profession with a great deal of skepticism. Since that time the obesity surgery has not only acceptable but is being performed world wide in most developed countries and has been shown to be effective and safe for those individuals who are severely overweight.</span></p> <p><span style=" font-size: 10pt;">KJP Healthcare, now the largest private healthcare group in the country with a network of 18 hospitals in Malaysia, Indonesia and Bangladesh and is listed on the main board of Bursa Malaysia. KPJ Healthcare has a 25-year track record in delivering safe quality medical services in Malaysia.</span></p> <p><span style=" font-size: 10pt;">Some of the hospitals under KPJ are Johor Specialist Hospital, Puteri Specialist Hospital and Penawar Hospital in Johor; Ampang Puteri Specialist Hospital and Damansara Specialist Hospital in Selangor; Tawakal Hospital in Kuala Lumpur; Ipoh Specialist Hospital in Perak; Bukit Mertajam Specialist Hospital in Penang; Perdana Specialist Hospital in Kelantan; Kuching Specialist Hospital in Sarawak; Seremban Specialist Hospital in Negeri Sembilan; and Damai Specialist Centre in Sabah. Others are United Hospital (Dacca, Bangladesh), RS Selasih (Sumatera, Indonesia), RS Medika Permata Hijau and RS Bumi Serpong Damai (Jakarta, Indonesia).</span></p> http://www.ebm.com.my/The_First_Surgical_Obesity_Center_In_Asia_Is_Born.html 2010-03-09T23:13:03Z

On August 23, 2005, Bernhard Schutte, Chairman of Electronic Business Management (EBM) Sdn. Bhd., from Fort Lauderdale, Florida U.S.A. made his journey to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia for a business stay of two months.

<p><strong><span style=" font-size: 10pt;">Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia</span></strong><span style=" font-size: 10pt;"> – On August 23, 2005, Bernhard Schutte, Chairman of <a href="http://www.ebm.com.my">Electronic Business Management (EBM) Sdn. Bhd.</a>, from Fort Lauderdale, Florida U.S.A. made his journey to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia for a business stay of two months. Schutte’s main objective for this trip was to dedicate it as a learning trip. Schutte stated, “I really wanted to understand the people of Malaysia, by living and working there, I was able to speak with the politicians, senior citizens, college students, cooks, local cabbies, and children. I was able to understand how Malaysia really functions at all levels.” By knowing this information, it has allowed Schutte to better understand the business culture of Malaysia and the areas of needed improvement.</span></p> <p><span style=" font-size: 10pt;">While in Malaysia, Schutte was able to meet and have discussions with high profiled people such as: Dato’ Dr. Haji Shafie Haji Mohd Salleh, Minister of Higher Education, Dato’ Sri Dr. Jamaludin B. Mohd Jarjis, Minister of Science, Technology, &#38; Innovation, Prof. Datuk Dr. Mazlan Othman, Director General of Malaysia National Space Agency, Dato’ Haji Abdul Ghani bin Othman, Chief Minister (Governor) of the State of Johor, Dato’ Seri Haji Mohd Hassan, Chief Minister (Governor) of the State of Negeri Sembilan, Ambassador Christopher LaFleur, US Ambassador to Malaysia, Datuk R. Karunakaran, Director General of MIDA, and many other leading businessmen.</span></p> <p><span style=" font-size: 10pt;">Schutte was also able to meet with the Chief Operating Officers of Malaysian Biotechnology Corporation and Thailand Center for Excellence for Life Sciences. EBM is currently in discussions of creating databases in the biotechnology field for both Malaysia and Thailand. EBM’s application with sophisticated database management abilities will enable both Malaysia and Thailand to get ahead in the biotechnology field.</span></p> <p><span style=" font-size: 10pt;">Invited by Dato’ Haji Abdul Ghani bin Othman, Chief Minister (Governor) of the State of Johor, Schutte and his team flew to the City of Johor Bahru, located in the southern State of Johor. The Chief Minister provided Schutte and his team an aerial tour of Johor Bahru on a Eurocopter to get a better understanding of the opportunities available. Schutte used this trip to perform research and discovery on a new waterfront city seeking to become the new world center for doing business in the Asia Pacific region. EBM is currently negotiating a consultancy deal with Johor Bahru to assist them in the building of this new waterfront city.</span></p> <p><span style=" font-size: 10pt;">Schutte stated, “There were great results and relationships generated from this business trip to Malaysia and there is a lot of follow up that needs to be done. It really was a huge success on both a business level and an educational level and has enhanced EBM’s position in the Asia Pacific market.”</span></p> http://www.ebm.com.my/Schutte_2_Month_Visit_to_Malaysia1.html 2010-03-09T23:13:03Z

On August 23, 2005, Bernhard Schutte, Chairman of Electronic Business Management (EBM) Sdn. Bhd., from Fort Lauderdale, Florida U.S.A. made his journey to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia for a business stay of two months.

<p><strong><span style=" font-size: 10pt;">Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia</span></strong><span style=" font-size: 10pt;"> – On August 23, 2005, Bernhard Schutte, Chairman of <a href="http://www.ebm.com.my">Electronic Business Management (EBM) Sdn. Bhd.</a>, from Fort Lauderdale, Florida U.S.A. made his journey to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia for a business stay of two months. Schutte’s main objective for this trip was to dedicate it as a learning trip. Schutte stated, “I really wanted to understand the people of Malaysia, by living and working there, I was able to speak with the politicians, senior citizens, college students, cooks, local cabbies, and children. I was able to understand how Malaysia really functions at all levels.” By knowing this information, it has allowed Schutte to better understand the business culture of Malaysia and the areas of needed improvement.</span></p> <p><span style=" font-size: 10pt;">While in Malaysia, Schutte was able to meet and have discussions with high profiled people such as: Dato’ Dr. Haji Shafie Haji Mohd Salleh, Minister of Higher Education, Dato’ Sri Dr. Jamaludin B. Mohd Jarjis, Minister of Science, Technology, &#38; Innovation, Prof. Datuk Dr. Mazlan Othman, Director General of Malaysia National Space Agency, Dato’ Haji Abdul Ghani bin Othman, Chief Minister (Governor) of the State of Johor, Dato’ Seri Haji Mohd Hassan, Chief Minister (Governor) of the State of Negeri Sembilan, Ambassador Christopher LaFleur, US Ambassador to Malaysia, Datuk R. Karunakaran, Director General of MIDA, and many other leading businessmen.</span></p> <p><span style=" font-size: 10pt;">Schutte was also able to meet with the Chief Operating Officers of Malaysian Biotechnology Corporation and Thailand Center for Excellence for Life Sciences. EBM is currently in discussions of creating databases in the biotechnology field for both Malaysia and Thailand. EBM’s application with sophisticated database management abilities will enable both Malaysia and Thailand to get ahead in the biotechnology field.</span></p> <p><span style=" font-size: 10pt;">Invited by Dato’ Haji Abdul Ghani bin Othman, Chief Minister (Governor) of the State of Johor, Schutte and his team flew to the City of Johor Bahru, located in the southern State of Johor. The Chief Minister provided Schutte and his team an aerial tour of Johor Bahru on a Eurocopter to get a better understanding of the opportunities available. Schutte used this trip to perform research and discovery on a new waterfront city seeking to become the new world center for doing business in the Asia Pacific region. EBM is currently negotiating a consultancy deal with Johor Bahru to assist them in the building of this new waterfront city.</span></p> <p><span style=" font-size: 10pt;">Schutte stated, “There were great results and relationships generated from this business trip to Malaysia and there is a lot of follow up that needs to be done. It really was a huge success on both a business level and an educational level and has enhanced EBM’s position in the Asia Pacific market.”</span></p> http://www.ebm.com.my/Schutte_2_Month_Visit_to_Malaysia.html 2010-03-09T23:13:03Z

Hurricane Wilma has hit Fort Lauderdale, Florida, U.S.A. but will not stop local business Electronic Business Management America (EBM America), LLC from doing business as usual.

<p><strong><span style=" font-size: 10pt;">November 4, 2005</span></strong><span style=" font-size: 10pt;"> : Hurricane Wilma has hit Fort Lauderdale, Florida, U.S.A. but will not stop local business <a href="http://www.ebmamerica.com">EBM America</a> LLC from doing business as usual.&#160; EBM America has announced that their offices were not affected in anyway or at anytime by the hurricane.&#160; EBM America is ready to assist any company who needs assistance penetrating the Asia Pacific Region.&#160; Bernhard Schutte, CEO of EBM America stated, “We are fully operational and ready to meet your company’s needs at anytime.”&#160; EBM has shown immense support to the local community by donating food and water to the less fortunate areas that were without electricity and phone for more than a week.&#160; Schutte explained, “Whether it takes one week or two months to recover from this devastating hurricane, we at EBM America LLC will continue to not only show our support but dedicate our time as well to the community as we always have.”&#160;&#160;</span></p> http://www.ebm.com.my/Hurricane_Wilma_Hits_Fort_Lauderdale3.html 2010-03-09T23:13:03Z

Ray Ferrero Jr. takes Nova Southeastern global with a new executive education program in this modern Southeast Asian nation.

<p><strong><span style=" font-size: 10pt;">Ray Ferrero Jr. takes Nova Southeastern global with a new executive education program in this modern Southeast Asian nation.</span></strong><span style=" font-size: 10pt;"><br /> <br /> Malaysia, halfway around the world in Southeast Asia, was the farthest place on Ray Ferrero Jr.’s mind when the president of Nova Southeastern University received an invitation to visit the nation of 24 million people.<br /> <br /> </span><img border="0" alt="" align="right" hspace="10" src="http://www.ebmamerica.com/upload/userimages/1121098649_2.jpg" /><span style=" font-size: 10pt;">But it took mere months for Ferrero to jet over for a visit that, if all goes well, will mean his Davie-based university will soon launch executive education classes there, with more programs next year — all taught in English by NSU staff.<br /> <br /> The move comes after the dogged efforts of Fort Lauderdale business consultant Bernhard Schutte, who was so amazed by his first trip to Malaysia in 2002 that he has become an unofficial booster for the Southeast Asian powerhouse. Schutte describes the nation as “just like Florida:” a modern, multi-cultural area perfect as a business hub for its world region.<br /> <br /> It was Schutte who organized a nearly 40-member Florida business mission to Malaysia in late February that produced a host of two-way projects now in the works, from Nova Southeastern’s venture to proposed scientific exchanges.<br /> <br /> High on the list: plans for Malaysia to open a trade office that would serve the southeastern US as well as Latin America and the Caribbean. Malaysian officials are talking with the city of Hollywood about the possibility of setting up a South Florida trade office there, complete with a showroom to display Malaysian goods, from consumer electronics to processed foods.<br /> <br /> In addition, the Florida Space Authority plans to host Malaysian nationals for educational programs, which may convince the nation to purchase US satellites instead of the Russian ones it currently buys. And the Fort Lauderdale-based Center for Severe Obesity is working to train Malaysian doctors in gastric-bypass surgery, among other procedures.<br /> <br /> “Bigger deals take longer to do,” Schutte said upon returning from a follow-up visit to the Malaysian capital Kuala Lumpur this spring.<br /> <br /> The moves come amid an economic boom in Malaysia, a former British colony that last year posted 7.1 percent growth, the world’s second highest rate after China.<br /> <br /> A longtime producer of raw materials such as rubber and tin, the tropical nation has transformed since the 1970s into a major exporter of manufactured goods, especially electronics and computer chips. Trade in high-tech goods last year catapulted Malaysia to the No. 10 ranked trade partner for the US, according to federal trade data.<br /> <br /> With an expanding middle-class, the New Mexico-sized nation is finding it increasingly difficult to compete for basic manufacturing orders against lower-wage, and far larger, China and India. Instead, the Malaysia sees its future in knowledge-based businesses, such as telecom, information technology and biotech, officials say.<br /> <br /> That is where NSU fits in.<br /> Ferrero says Malaysia wants to offer more educational programs to help its own residents move up the economic ladder. Moreover, it seeks to attract more students from nearby nations, including China, especially now that foreign students face difficulties obtaining visas to study in the US following the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.<br /> <br /> To encourage NSU to set up shop there, Malaysia’s ambassador to Washington, Ghazzali bin Sheikh Abdul Khalid, visited the Davie campus for talks. And in Kuala Lumpur, NSU officials and leaders from 25 private universities met for two hours with government officials, Ferrero says.<br /> <br /> “They treated us like kings and queens,” says James “JT” Tarlton, CEO of the Broward Alliance economic development group, describing the meetings in Malaysia, which included a lengthy session with that nation’s Deputy Prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.<br /> <br /> Schutte never imagined that a chance encounter with Malaysian officials would prove so fruitful.<br /> <br /> Like many executives in South Florida, the consultant had little knowledge of the mainly Muslim nation, even when he accepted an offer to speak in Kuala Lumpur in 2002 on opportunities for business in South Florida.<br /> <br /> The visit astounded him, he says. Schutte found Malaysia more cosmopolitan, prosperous and pro-American than he expected. A monorail zipped him around the capital, past what was then the world’s tallest office building, the Petronas Towers. New highways and railways linked him with other cities. And he was delighted with the ease of conducting business in English — a legacy of the free, British-style schooling maintained after the former colony gained independence.<br /> <br /> Schutte also marveled at the international prowess of Malaysia’s multi-ethnic residents. It reminded him of South Florida’s Caribbean and Latin American immigrants, who now offer a bridge to the region. Malaysia’s population is roughly 26 percent Chinese descent, about 10 percent Indian and mainly Muslim — a vital link for business throughout Southeast Asia and into China, India and even the Middle East.<br /> <br /> Back in South Florida, Schutte, CEO of Fort Lauderdale-based Digital Media Network Inc., decided to seize an opportunity. In 2003, his company partnered with a similar firm in Malaysia, Electronic Business Management, which now serves as the Asian headquarters for his high-tech consulting business.<br /> <br /> Then, Schutte sought to spread the word of his discovery. “A lot of people look at the Asian region as a threat. I look at it as a huge opportunity,” he says. “And Malaysia is the secret door to penetrate the market.”<br /> <br /> Stronger US-Malaysia ties helped Schutte’s efforts, too.<br /> <br /> Washington lauds the moderate, secular nation for its cooperation in the war against terrorism. The government warmed to the new prime minister, soft-spoken Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, elected in 2003 to succeed the sometimes strident Mahathir Mohamad, who spent 22 years at the nation’s helm.<br /> <br /> “Everything is moving very nicely right now,” says Marc Mealy, senior director for the U.S.-Malaysia Business Council in Washington. “Actually, during talks in May under the new Trade and Investment Framework Agreement, for the first time the governments even got into some basics about a possible free-trade agreement.”<br /> <br /> To be sure, Malaysia faces competition as an Asian hub. For example, neighboring Singapore — once part of the Malaysian Federation — already shares a free-trade accord with the US. And the ex-British colony of Hong Kong beckons on China’s doorstep. But both Singapore and Hong Kong are more expensive to operate from, executives say.<br /> <br /> “If you’re not big enough to have a separate operation in China, maybe the way to start is in Southeast Asia — in Malaysia,” Mealy says, echoing the words of South Florida consultant Schutte.<br /> <br /> It all adds up to a welcome education for NSU’s Ferrero and dozens more Florida executives who traveled to Malaysia on the February mission and now seek to develop business from that weeklong trip.<br /> <br /> “I’ll go back,” says Lauro Bianda, president of Lake Worth-based consulting firm Agycon, which helps sell hospital supplies in Latin America. “I found good products, and people ready to go the extra mile. And it’s very much like Florida — a hub for emerging economies in Asia, just as we are for Latin America and the Caribbean.” — Doreen Hemlock covers international business for the South Florida Sun-Sentinel.</span></p> <p align="center"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://www.ebmamerica.com/upload/userimages/cover-ceo-magazine.jpg" /></p> http://www.ebm.com.my/South_Florida_CEO_Mission_Malaysia.html 2010-03-09T23:13:03Z

Because of the huge success of this trade mission, international business consultant Bernhard Schutte was able to organize a visit on April 21, 2005 by Datuk Dr. Muhammad Rais Abdul Karim, Vice Chancellor of the University Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI),

<p><strong><span style=" font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">(Fort Lauderdale, FL.)&#160;</span></strong><span style=" font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"> It was only two months ago when Bernhard Schutte, CEO of Digital Media Network (DMNI), lead the largest delegation to Malaysia, Opportunity Malaysia Trade Mission 2005.&#160; The approximately 30 executive and CEO-level participants represented top Florida-based business and academic organizations, including the Broward Alliance, Nova Southeastern University, Prudential Florida First, Digital Media Network, and Florida Space Authority.</span><span style=" font-size: 10pt;"></span></p> <p><span style=" font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">Because of the huge success of this trade mission, international business consultant Bernhard Schutte was able to organize a visit on April 21, 2005 by Datuk Dr. Muhammad Rais Abdul Karim, Vice Chancellor of the University Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI), and his team to visit Florida to investigate the possibilities of working together with Nova Southeastern University (NSU). The Vice Chancellor said: “Our government would like us to reinvent UPSI so we can build for the future generation of Malaysia.&#160; We would like UPSI to become the Center of Excellency and HUB of Southeast Asia.”&#160;</span><span style=" font-size: 10pt;"></span></p> <p><span style=" font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">Nova Southeastern University has many programs that maybe beneficial for UPSI.&#160; These programs include: Environmental Programs, Western Law Programs, and Pharmacy Programs.&#160; UPSI is very interested in partnering with NSU for Masters and PhD Degrees that are done as a combination of online classes and lecture classes.&#160; NSU will be visiting Malaysia the second week in May to pursue this possible partnership.&#160; This deal has been made possible by Dato’ Rosnah Majid, CEO of Electronic Business Management (EBM) Malaysia, and Bernhard Schutte.</span></p> <table cellspacing="0" border="0" align="center" cellpadding="3" width="450"><tbody> <tr> <td><span style=" font-family: Arial;"><img height="182" alt="" width="450" area="81900" src="http://www.nova.edu/cwis/ia/pubaffairs/ebulletin/sneak_peeks/2005/april27/images/mal.jpg" /></span></td> </tr> <tr> <td class="efooter"><span style=" font-family: Arial; font-size: 10px;">(Photo L to R) Rusley Taib, Registrar; Dr. Dick Dodge, Dean of Oceanographic Center; Boni Chuah, U.S. Embassy Kuala Lumpur; Joseph Harbaugh, Dean, Shepard Broad Law Center; Ray Ferrero, III; Bernhard Schutte, CEO, Digital Media Network, Inc.; Steve Harvey, Director of Master’s Programs, H. Wayne Huizenga School of Business &#38; Entrepreneurship; Dr. Muhammad Rais Bin Abdul Karim, Vice Chancellor; NSU President Ray Ferrero, Jr.; Dr. Khadijah Rohani Binti Mohd Yunus, Deputy Vice Chancellor; Dr. Anthony DeNapoli, Executive Dean for External and International Affairs, Fischler School of Education and Human Services; Dato’ Rosnah Majid, CEO, Electronic Business Management; Patrick Everett, Executive Assistant, Digital Media Network, Inc.; Dr. Frederick Lippman, Chancellor, NSU Health Professions Division; Dr. Othman bin Lebar, Associate Professor.</span></td> </tr> </tbody></table> <p align="center"><a href="http://www.nova.edu/cwis/ia/pubaffairs/ebulletin/sneak_peeks/2005/april27/malaysia.html" target="_blank"><span style=" font-size: 10px;">http://www.nova.edu/cwis/ia/pubaffairs/ebulletin/sneak_peeks/2005/april27/malaysia.html</span></a></p> http://www.ebm.com.my/Malaysian_Delegation_visits_NSU.html 2010-03-09T23:13:03Z

Chief Minister of Penang - Tan Sri Dr. Koh Tsu Koon sends appreciation letter to Opportunity Malaysia mission leader Bernhard Schutte of Digital Media Network Incorporated.

<p>&nbsp; <img width="500" border="0" alt="" height="696" src="http://www.malaysiamission.com/cache/images/47.pjpeg" /></p> http://www.ebm.com.my/Thank_you_letter_from_the_Chief_Minister_of_Penang.html 2010-03-09T23:13:03Z

On Friday, February 25, 2005, 32 company representatives left Fort Lauderdale, Florida and journeyed the 28-hour trip to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. These 32 individuals were delegates on the Florida District Export Council’s (FDEC) trade mission to Malaysia,

<p align="center"><br /> <img alt="" width="650" src="http://www.ebmamerica.com/upload/userimages/OpportunityMalaysia.jpg" border="0" height="240" /></p> <p><span style=" font-family: Arial;">On Friday, February 25, 2005, 32 company representatives left Fort Lauderdale, Florida and journeyed the 28-hour trip to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. These 32 individuals were delegates on the Florida District Export Council’s (FDEC) trade mission to Malaysia, which was also the Export Council’s first mission and, according to the Commercial Service in Kuala Lumpur, the largest mission ever from the USA to Malaysia.</span></p> http://www.ebm.com.my/Florida_District_Export_Council_Makes_History.html 2010-03-09T23:13:03Z

Malaysia may not be a household name in South Florida yet, but the middle-income, Southeast Asian country is quickly boosting its business profile, a breakfast in Pompano Beach showed Thursday.

<p><span style=" font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">By Doreen Hemlock<br /> Business Writer</span></p> <p><span style=" font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">Malaysia may not be a household name in South Florida yet, but the middle-income, Southeast Asian country is quickly boosting its business profile, a breakfast in Pompano Beach showed Thursday.<br /> <br /> More than 100 people turned up before 8 a.m. to learn about the booming nation of 25 million people, following up on a recent Florida mission there that produced plans for Malaysia to open a trade office in Broward County and Nova Southeastern University to start educational programs in Malaysia.<br /> <br /> William Zarit, a senior trade official at the U.S. embassy in Kuala Lumpur, pointed to significant U.S. opportunities in the New Mexico-sized nation that already ranks as the 10th largest trading partner for the United States. Last year, Malaysia posted the world's fastest-growing economy after China, expanding by 7.1 percent.<br /> <br /> Zarit described the former British colony as "a kind of an oasis in southeast Asia," prosperous, stable and moderate. The United States is the biggest investor in the mostly English-speaking nation, with more than $25 billion in ventures from electronics factories to resorts.<br /> <br /> "They're used to doing business in a professional way, and they like American products," Zarit told the breakfast meeting.<br /> <br /> Florida companies can benefit from approaching multicultural Malaysia as a business gateway for all of Asia. Residents of Chinese and Indian background, for example, can serve as a bridge to those two giants nearby, said Bernhard Schutte, the Fort Lauderdale business consultant who organized the almost 40-member mission to Malaysia from Feb. 25 to March 6.<br /> <br /> Indeed, Schutte already has started his own venture in Kuala Lumpur to do business in Malaysia and regionally, setting up a partnership between a Malaysian firm and his Fort Lauderdale-based Digital Media Network Inc.<br /> <br /> The breakfast comes as Malaysia's government seeks about 7,000 square feet near Interstate 95 for a trade office that also would serve as a showroom for Malaysian products such as electronics and processed foods. The office would serve not only the U.S. Southeast but also the Caribbean and Latin America, Schutte said.<br /> <br /> Doreen Hemlock can be reached at 305-810-5009.</span></p> <p align="center"><img alt="" src="http://www.ebmamerica.com/upload/userimages/MalaysiaOnTheRise.jpg" border="0" /></p> http://www.ebm.com.my/Malaysia_stock_on_the_rise_in_South_Florida.html 2010-03-09T23:13:03Z

While the other participants on a Malaysian trade mission this month focused on how the Southeast Asian nation was catching up to the United States economically, Dr. Norman Samuels found its citizens were catching up to the size of American waistlines.

<p><strong><span style=" font-family: Arial; color: #000000; font-size: 10pt;">While the other participants on a Malaysian trade mission this month focused on how the Southeast Asian nation was catching up to the United States economically, Dr. Norman Samuels found its citizens were catching up to the size of American waistlines.</span><span style=" font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"><br style=" font-weight: bold;" /> </span></strong><span style=" font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"><br /> "While severe obesity is most prevalent in the United States, it's a growing problem in the rest of the world," said Samuels, a bariatric surgeon who runs the <a href="http://www.bizjournals.com/search/bin/search?q=%22Center%20for%20Severe%20Obesity%22">Center for Severe Obesity</a> in Fort Lauderdale. "It's growing in Malaysia as more Western food and fast-food restaurants are appearing."</span></p> <p><span style=" font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">So when Samuels told Malaysian physicians and hospital administrators about the weight-loss surgeries he performs, they were very interested. The country of 22.5 million has technologically advanced hospitals, but no weight-loss surgeons, Samuels said.</span></p> <p><span style=" font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">"The doctors said they had patients who needed surgery for their obesity and didn't know where to go."</span></p> <p><span style=" font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">When a private chain of 12 Malaysian hospitals, along with several independent hospitals there, showed interest in Samuels training their physicians in weight-loss surgery, the doctor stayed in Malaysia an extra week.</span></p> <p><span style=" font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">He outlined a program under which Malaysian doctors would come to South Florida and observe weight-loss surgeries such as gastric bypasses and then perform the surgeries in Malaysia under the supervision of U.S.-licensed bariatric surgeons.</span></p> <p><span style=" font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">Bernhard Schutte, CEO of Fort Lauderdale-based <a href="http://www.bizjournals.com/search/bin/search?q=%22Digital%20Media%20Network%22">Digital Media Network</a>, which led the mission, is negotiating to finalize the deals</span></p> <p align="center"><img alt="" src="http://www.ebmamerica.com/upload/userimages/Image285.jpg" border="0" /></p> http://www.ebm.com.my/Chewing_the_fat_in_Malaysia.html 2010-03-09T23:13:03Z

THEY came, they explored, and – they made deals! This best sums up the visit of 32 top-notch Florida businessmen who came on what was the biggest trade mission from the United States to Malaysia.

<p><strong><span style=" font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">BY PAUL GABRIEL</span></strong><span style=" font-size: 10pt;"></span></p> <p><span style=" font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">THEY came, they explored, and – they made deals! This best sums up the visit of 32 top-notch Florida businessmen who came on what was the biggest trade mission from the United States to Malaysia. &#160;</span><span style=" font-size: 10pt;"></span></p> <p><span style=" font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">And the challenge couldn’t have rested on shoulders firmer than those of Bernhard Schutte, the CEO of leading international business consultancy firm Digital Media Network Inc (DMNI), who led the mission. &#160;</span><span style=" font-size: 10pt;"></span></p> <p><span style=" font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">“It was a fantastic trip and it was worth all the effort put in. We handpicked some of the best companies in Florida to come, with our list made up of CEOs who didn’t mind leaving their bases for over a week. &#160;</span><span style=" font-size: 10pt;"></span></p> <p><span style=" font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">“From what we have seen and experienced here, Malaysia is certainly the preferred place in the region for us Florida businessmen. We are all returning home fulfilled,” he said in an interview before departing over the weekend. &#160;</span><span style=" font-size: 10pt;"></span></p> <p><span style=" font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">Also present at the interview was Rosnah Majid, CEO of Electronic Business Management (EBM), the local sister company of DMNI which assisted in preparing for the mission. &#160;</span><span style=" font-size: 10pt;"></span></p> <p><span style=" font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">Dubbed Opportunity Malaysia 2005, the week-long mission, from Feb 27 to March 6, was organized by the Florida District Export Council in co-operation with the US Commercial Service and DMNI. &#160;</span><span style=" font-size: 10pt;"></span></p> <p><span style=" font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">The Fort Lauderdale-based businessmen came mainly to find new suppliers of Malaysian products, sell more US goods and services, and explore partnerships for investments in both countries. &#160;</span><span style=" font-size: 10pt;"></span></p> <p><span style=" font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">Among the Florida enterprises involved was the Florida Space Authority, International Warehouse Services (IWS), Skytruck Corporation, East West Aircraft Sales, Fox Croft Trading, Alpine Engineered Products, Cubicorp, Centre for Severe Obesity, and Nova Southeastern University. &#160;</span><span style=" font-size: 10pt;"></span></p> <p><span style=" font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">The mission also met Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak at his office, and visited Penang and Kedah for business matchmaking sessions. &#160;</span><span style=" font-size: 10pt;"></span></p> <p><span style=" font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">“The Deputy Prime Minister impressed us with his wide knowledge and he was very reassuring in his comments. He gave us a good hearing,” added Schutte, who certainly looked a satisfied man.&#160;</span><span style=" font-size: 10pt;"></span></p> <p><span style=" font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">Skytruck, which manufactures a multiple-mission usage passenger/ cargo aircraft able to take-off and land in short airstrips, sold 10 aircraft in a deal worth US$30mil (RM115.20mil). &#160;</span><span style=" font-size: 10pt;"></span></p> <p><span style=" font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">IWS, a warehousing and distribution company occupying 60% of the space at the Foreign Trade Zone in Port Everglades Florida, will be opening an office in Malaysia. &#160;</span><span style=" font-size: 10pt;"></span></p> <p><span style=" font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">Its services include freight forwarding, order processing, inventory control and trucking. &#160;</span><span style=" font-size: 10pt;"></span></p> <p><span style=" font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">Fox Craft, Florida’s third largest pharmaceutical wholesale company which exports to over 20 countries, will expand here to penetrate the South-East Asia and China, India and Middle-East markets. &#160;</span><span style=" font-size: 10pt;"></span></p> <p><span style=" font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">The Centre for Severe Obesity, which performs gastric bypass surgery for the “morbidly” obese (people with a Body Mass Index of 40 and above) discussed a proposal to perform such operations locally in a joint-venture with Kumpulan Perubatan Johor (KPJ). &#160;</span><span style=" font-size: 10pt;"></span></p> <p><span style=" font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">KPJ owns several private hospitals, including the Damansara Specialist Centre and the Ampang Puteri Centre, and also has hospitals in Indonesia and Bangladesh. &#160;</span><span style=" font-size: 10pt;"></span></p> <p><span style=" font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">Schutte is “living proof” of how such operations can change the course of one’s life – he successfully underwent gastric bypass surgery at the Florida centre years ago. The surgery staples the stomach to reduce its capacity for food. &#160;</span><span style=" font-size: 10pt;"></span></p> <p><span style=" font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">“I used to weigh 160kg and suffered from diabetes and hypertension. Within a year after the operation, I reduced to 99kg and I feel fit and healthy now. &#160;</span><span style=" font-size: 10pt;"></span></p> <p><span style=" font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">“My diabetic and blood pressure complications have also been resolved,” he said, adding that the cost of the surgery in Florida was about US$30,000 (RM115,200). &#160;</span><span style=" font-size: 10pt;"></span></p> <p><span style=" font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">Under the proposal with KPJ, Dr Norman Samuels, who heads the Florida centre, will come here to conduct the surgery while local doctors are trained on the procedure. &#160;</span><span style=" font-size: 10pt;"></span></p> <p><span style=" font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">There were also strides made in the education sector and space-related business. &#160;</span><span style=" font-size: 10pt;"></span></p> <p><span style=" font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">Nova Southeastern University, the 10th largest private university in the US, held a successful meeting with 50 local educationists. It plans to set up a local campus or establish partnership programmes with local universities. &#160;</span><span style=" font-size: 10pt;"></span></p> <p><span style=" font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">Former NASA astronaut Capt Winston Scott, executive director of the Florida Space Authority, met with Director-General of the National Space Agency Prof Datuk Dr Mazlan Othman to discuss a plan to make Malaysia an Asian hub for futuristic space travel. &#160;</span><span style=" font-size: 10pt;"></span></p> <p><span style=" font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">The Florida Space Authority is a sister company of Nasa and is a world leader in the space industry. &#160;</span><span style=" font-size: 10pt;"></span></p> <p><span style=" font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">Schutte said the businessmen would meet with Broward Alliance, which is the economic development council of Broward County in the city of Ford Lauderdale, to report on the success of their mission. &#160;</span><span style=" font-size: 10pt;"></span></p> <p><span style=" font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">“The council will form a special committee on Malaysia within its international unit to monitor the progress made. We intend to conduct follow-up visits to Malaysia,” he added. &#160;</span><span style=" font-size: 10pt;"></span></p> <p><span style=" font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">Schutte also spoke of an “added advantage” of Florida in its ties with Malaysia – in the form of Governor Jeb Bush, a brother of President George W. Bush. &#160;</span><span style=" font-size: 10pt;"></span></p> <p><span style=" font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">“Governor Bush personally endorsed our business mission to Malaysia. All the top guns, from the city of Fort Lauderdale to Washington DC, gave us their full backing,” he said.</span><span style=" font-size: 10pt;"></span></p> <p align="center"><img alt="" src="http://www.ebmamerica.com/upload/userimages/Image288a.jpg" border="0" /></p> http://www.ebm.com.my/Biggest_ever_trade_mission_from_Florida_seals_deal.html 2010-03-09T23:13:03Z

To advance Malaysia's space and aviation industries, the government plans to tap the expertise of Florida in the United States.

<p><span style=" font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">KUALA LUMPUR, March 1 (Bernama) -- To advance Malaysia's space and aviation industries, the government plans to tap the expertise of Florida in the United States.<br /> <br /> Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Datuk Seri Dr Jamaludin Jarjis said these high-tech industries are crucial for the country's economic agenda and technological developments.<br /> <br /> "We are exploring new initiatives in space, aviation, education and transportation which will fit the economic agenda and Florida has a strong presence in the aviation industry apart from space," he told reporters after a public lecture on "My Experience as an Astronaut" presented by Captain Winston E. Scott at the National Planetarium here Tuesday.<br /> <br /> Florida, the world's gateway to space, is recognised internationally for space research and technological developments, and its space industry itself is estimated to be worth US$4.5 billion.<br /> <br /> Jamaludin said the government is keen to develop the space and aviation industries, including the aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul sector.<br /> <br /> "A delegation (from Florida) is here to create economic opportunities between Malaysia and Florida, especially in the space and aviation industries," he said.<br /> <br /> "The government wants to go in a big way into space and aviation which are basically knowledge-based industries and they are vital for our economic, social and safety agenda," he added.<br /> <br /> Citing an example, Jamaludin said the satellite technology would be useful in monitoring the nation's security and weather conditions as well as for communication purposes.<br /> <br /> "It is important to monitor our borders as we have our offshore oil platforms and soon we will have our own tsunami warning system which will also be linked to space," he said.<br /> <br /> "For Malaysia to move into the new world economy, we need to equip ourselves with these tools. They will help to create jobs and wealth for the nation," he added.<br /> <br /> -- BERNAMA</span></p> http://www.ebm.com.my/Malaysia_To_Tap_Florida_Space_And_Aviation.html 2010-03-09T23:13:03Z

The first Floridian trade mission to Malaysia was greeted by dozens of businesses and organizations eager to do business with the United States and was granted an hour-long, private meeting with the country's deputy prime minister.

<p><span style=" font-family: Arial; color: #000080; font-size: 10pt;">by Brian Bandell</span><span style=" font-size: 10pt;"></span></p> <p><span style=" color: rgb(0,0,0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">The first Floridian trade mission to Malaysia was greeted by dozens of businesses and organizations eager to do business with the United States and was granted an hour-long, private meeting with the country's deputy prime minister.</span><span style=" font-size: 10pt;"></span></p> <p><span style=" color: rgb(0,0,0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">The 34-person delegation of mostly Broward County business representatives returned from a weeklong tour of the Southeast Asian nation, March 7, with high expectations of doing business there. Several deals advanced to serious consideration during the mission, among them a Nova Southeastern University program in Malaysia and a Malaysian trade office in Broward County.</span><span style=" font-size: 10pt;"></span></p> <p><span style=" color: rgb(0,0,0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">Malaysia has been positioning itself as the economic hub of Southeast Asia, much like South Florida for Latin America and the Caribbean, said Bernhard Schutte, CEO of Fort Lauderdale-based Digital Media Network, which led the mission. With a population of Malays, Chinese and Indians that speak English as their main language, it is easy to communicate and find people skilled at doing business with other countries in the region. Some of the biggest names in technology, including Dell, Motorola and Sony, use Malaysia as a hub.</span><span style=" font-size: 10pt;"></span></p> <p><span style=" color: rgb(0,0,0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">"A lot of people were nervous about going to a country with a large Muslim population," Schutte said. "But that wasn't a problem at all. They were very welcoming and tolerant."</span><span style=" font-size: 10pt;"></span></p> <p><span style=" color: rgb(0,0,0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">As part of the group meeting Malaysian Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, Broward Alliance President James "J.T." Tarlton found the country's second-highest official hospitable to American businesses. Tarlton was particularly impressed with a plan Malaysia has been implementing to boost its economy through technology-focused "cyber cities" as part of its knowledge-based economy.</span><span style=" font-size: 10pt;"></span></p> <p><span style=" color: rgb(0,0,0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">While, no free trade agreements exist between Malaysia and the United States, as there is with neighboring Singapore, doing business in Malaysia is inexpensive and the government is open, Tarlton said.</span><span style=" font-size: 10pt;"></span></p> <p><span style=" color: rgb(0,0,0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">"The fact that they're so open and so willing to assist U.S.-based companies to do business through their country is very encouraging," he said. "We have to keep them on our radar screen because they are definitely on a track to success with their vision plan."</span><span style=" font-size: 10pt;"></span></p> <p><span style=" color: rgb(0,0,0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">A big part of the Malaysian plan is education and that is why its government wants NSU to offer American degree programs there. Such a program could be set up at a Malaysian university as early as this fall, NSU President Ray Fererro Jr. said.</span><span style=" font-size: 10pt;"></span></p> <p><span style=" color: rgb(0,0,0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">Fererro met with the country's minister of higher education and officials from more than 25 public and private universities. They are interested in NSU's programs in business, computer science, bio- and marine science, early childhood development and advanced degrees for faculty.</span><span style=" font-size: 10pt;"></span></p> <p><span style=" color: rgb(0,0,0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">NSU will begin a process to select one or two Malaysian partner universities.</span><span style=" font-size: 10pt;"></span></p> <div class="paragraph"><span style=" color: rgb(0,0,0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">"This was really eye-opening for me," Fererro said of the trip. "You have China on one hand and India on the other hand and in between Malaysia intends to be the technology and IT center for the entire region."</span><span style=" font-size: 10pt;"></span> <p><span style=" color: rgb(0,0,0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">Meanwhile, Prudential Florida First Realtor Lorna Honecker is looking for 7,000 square feet of office space in Fort Lauderdale or Hollywood for the Malaysia External Trade Development Corp. (MATRADE), the agency that promotes trade for Malaysia. The office would have a liaison to help local businesses make contracts in Malaysia and have a showroom for Malaysian products.</span><span style=" font-size: 10pt;"></span></p> <p><span style=" color: rgb(0,0,0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">Also, about 20 Malaysian companies considering sending products to Port Everglades and on to Latin America and the Caribbean met with Fred Rogacki, CEO of International Warehouse Services, which does warehousing and logistical services at the port's free trade zone.</span><span style=" font-size: 10pt;"></span></p> <p><span style=" color: rgb(0,0,0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">International Warehouse also talked to the private owner of two cargo ports and an airport in Penang about opening warehouse and logistics operations there. With that offer on the table, Rogacki plans to revisit Malaysia in six to eight weeks.</span><span style=" font-size: 10pt;"></span></p> <p><span style=" color: rgb(0,0,0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">One trip participant was still in Malaysia. Dr. Norman Samuels, president of the Center for Severe Obesity in Fort Lauderdale, was working with at least 12 Malaysian hospitals to provide weight-loss services, including surgery, the Broward Alliance's Tarlton said.</span><span style=" font-size: 10pt;"></span></p> <p><span style=" color: rgb(0,0,0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">Another participant was looking at making trade deals both ways. Lauro Bianda, president of Lake Worth-based international consultant Agycon, found Malaysian-produced medical supplies a U.S. client of his could use. Bianda also learned generic pharmaceuticals manufactured by another of his clients are in demand in Southeast Asia.</span><span style=" font-size: 10pt;"></span></p> <p><span style=" color: rgb(0,0,0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">"I see Florida and Malaysia as two hubs that can compliment each other," Bianda said. "If you're able to combine the two together, you'll be able to combine services through each other to both regional areas."</span><span style=" font-size: 10pt;"></span></p> </div> <p><span style=" font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"><em>Brian Bandell - South Florida Business Journal</em></span></p> http://www.ebm.com.my/Malaysia_eager_for_business_from_Florida_trade_mission.html 2010-03-09T23:13:03Z

A recently concluded trade mission that featured high level discussions between Florida business representatives and government leaders in Malaysia is already resulting in an economic boost for Broward County and could ultimately enable the state to take

<table border="0" width="100%" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="table1"> <tr> <td><span style="font-family:Arial; font-size:12px; "><strong>Media contact:</strong><br />Stu Opperman, APR<br />Ambit Marketing Communications<br />(954) 568-2100, ext. 105<br />E-mail: <a href="mailto:stu@ambitmarketing.com">stu@ambitmarketing.com</a></span></td> <td valign="bottom"> <p align="right"><span style="font-family:Arial; font-size:12px; ">FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE<br />March 9, 2005</span></p> </td> </tr> </table> <p><span style="font-family:Arial; font-size:18px; "><strong>OPPORTUNITY MALAYSIA 2005</strong></span><span style="font-family:Arial; font-size:12px; "><br /><strong>Trade Mission Advances Local, State Economic Interests in Southeast Asia</strong></span></p> <p><span style="font-family:Arial; font-size:12px; "><strong>Broward County, FL</strong> -- A recently concluded trade mission that featured high level discussions between Florida business representatives and government leaders in Malaysia is already resulting in an economic boost for Broward County and could ultimately enable the state to take the lead in bringing space tourism to southeast Asia. The international outreach, dubbed &quot;Opportunity Malaysia 2005&quot; by organizers, included leaders from more than 20 Florida-based companies and economic interests who see great potential for increased commerce between the state and Kuala Lumpur.</span></p> <p><span style="font-family:Arial; font-size:12px; ">One immediate outcome of the February 26-March 5 mission is an agreement with the Malaysian government to open a trade office in Broward that would serve U.S. Caribbean, and Latin American markets. The country is expected to lease at least 4,000 sq. feet and use South Florida as a base to show products and promote business in the Western Hemisphere.</span></p> <p><span style="font-family:Arial; font-size:12px; ">&quot;Malaysia has a stable economy, favorable political market conditions, strong, multifaceted ties to the United States, and is second only to Japan in wealth among Southeast Asian nations,&quot; said Bernhard Schutte, CEO of Fort Lauderdale-based Digital Media Network, Inc. and the mission organizer. &quot;This trip laid the foundation for partnerships that will enable Florida interests to increase market share, expand globally, and gain access to an entire region.&quot;</span></p> <p><span style="font-family:Arial; font-size:12px; ">The Florida Space Authority was one of the mission participants that view Malaysia as a gateway to the Eastern Hemisphere. The group, which seeks economic development opportunities for the state through space-related business and educational activities, is especially enthused about the potential for space tourism, a rapidly-growing industry that provides individuals with experiences previously only encountered by astronauts (example: zero-gravity flights, where participants can feel the weightlessness experienced in outer space). In Malaysia, the Space Authority also had exploratory discussions with officials about bringing students to the U.S. for training programs with scientists and engineers for sub-orbital rocket launches. The program, which currently has a working agreement with the Irish government, involves NASA and companies like Boeing and Lockheed Martin and could be the first step toward aerospace business relationships for American companies, according to Florida Space Authority Board Member Ken Haiko. Malaysia has traditionally used Russian technology for its satellite launches.</span></p> <p><span style="font-family:Arial; font-size:12px; ">15 Broward-based companies participated in the trade mission. &quot;Some of our businesses are already established in Malaysia, and the eyes of many others were opened on this trip,&quot; said James Tarlton, president/CEO of The Broward Alliance, a mission sponsor. &quot;There are significant business development opportunities that would enable our region to be a player in a growing marketplace.&quot; Tarlton said International Warehouse Services, a company that primarily stores cargo in the Fort Lauderdale foreign trade zone at Port Everglades,&nbsp; is negotiating to provide port services in Malaysia. Another company with a local base, aviation company Skytruck, expects to sell 10 airplanes to the Malaysian government. Additionally, Nova Southeastern University is considering an American accredited university consortium that would provide educational opportunities to the Malaysian people without them having to leave their country to study.</span></p> <p align="center"><span style="font-family:Arial; font-size:12px; "># # #</span></p> http://www.ebm.com.my/Trade_Mission_Advances_Local__State_Economic_Inter.html 2010-03-09T23:13:03Z

A just-concluded Florida business mission to Malaysia netted at least two major deals: The government of Malaysia plans to open a trade office in Broward County, and Nova Southeastern University will develop education programs in the Southeast Asian natio

<p align="left"><span style=" font-size: 10pt;">By Doreen Hemlock<br style=" font-family: Arial;" /> Business Writer<br style=" font-family: Arial;" /> Posted March 10 2005</span></p> <p align="left"><span style=" font-size: 10pt;">A just-concluded Florida business mission to Malaysia netted at least two major deals: The government of Malaysia plans to open a trade office in Broward County, and Nova Southeastern University will develop education programs in the Southeast Asian nation.</span></p> <p align="left"><span style=" font-size: 10pt;">Talks also have begun for Fort Lauderdale's International Warehouse Services to offer port services in Malaysia, while the Florida Space Authority is looking to bring Malaysians to the United States for education exchange programs, participants in the Feb. 25-March 6 mission said Wednesday.</span></p> <p align="left"><span style=" font-size: 10pt;">"This is only going to be the beginning," said Bernhard Schutte, chief executive of Digital Media Network Inc., who operates a business in Malaysia and organized the nearly 40-member Florida mission. "We're going back in about six to eight weeks for a follow-up on other pending projects."</span></p> <p align="left"><span style=" font-size: 10pt;">Perhaps most promising short-term are plans for the Malaysian trade office, apparently the first foreign trade office be located in Broward. Dozens already operate in Miami-Dade County.</span></p> <p align="left"><span style=" font-size: 10pt;">The Malaysian government is seeking about 7,000 square feet near Interstate 95 for the office that also would serve as a showroom for Malaysian products such as electronics and processed foods. The office would serve not only the Southeast but also the Caribbean and Latin American region, Schutte said.</span></p> <p align="left"><span style=" font-size: 10pt;">A former British colony of 25 million people, multicultural Malaysia has transformed its economy since the 1970s from production of raw materials such as rubber and tin into a major manufacturer, especially of electronics.</span></p> <p align="left"><span style=" font-size: 10pt;">The government now is targeting growth in telecom, information technology and biotech to move the nation beyond its middle-income rank. Officials are keen to develop education programs from U.S.-accredited universities.</span></p> <p align="left"><span style=" font-size: 10pt;">Nova Southeastern hopes to start executive education classes in Malaysia this fall, with additional programs in 2006, said President Ray Ferrero Jr., who headed NSU's team on the trip. Classes would be taught in English by visiting NSU faculty.</span></p> <p align="left"><span style=" font-size: 10pt;">Ferrero said Malaysia's government has been courting NSU for months. The country's ambassador in Washington, D.C., visited the Davie campus for talks. And in Malaysia, the minister of education helped organize a two-hour meeting for NSU with about 25 leaders of private universities to discuss potential partnerships.</span></p> <p align="left"><span style=" font-size: 10pt;">"They have decided that because of their position between India and China, they are going to be a knowledge-based, tech-based economy, and because of their access, they can bring a lot of students in from other countries," Ferrero said.</span></p> <p align="left"><span style=" font-size: 10pt;">Meanwhile, a Miami-Dade team led by County Commissioner Jose Pepe Diaz is visiting Malaysia this month as part of a business mission that also includes China.</span></p> <p align="right"><span style=" font-size: 8pt;">Doreen Hemlock can be reached at 305-810-5009.</span></p> http://www.ebm.com.my/S__Florida_benefits_from_Malaysia_mission.html 2010-03-09T23:13:03Z

The Malaysian government may open a trade office in Broward, just one of the results of the Broward Alliance-led trade mission to Malaysia.

<div id="story"> <p><span style=" color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">The Malaysian government may open a trade office in Broward, just one of the results of the Broward Alliance-led trade mission to Malaysia. Other possibilities: Florida-style space tourism, port services and a Nova Southeastern University outpost in the country.</span><span style=" color: #000000; font-size: 10pt;"></span></p> <p><span style=" color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">For its new office, the Broward Alliance said it expects Malaysia to lease at least 4,000 square feet and use South Florida as a base to show products and promote business in the Western Hemisphere.</span><span style=" color: #000000; font-size: 10pt;"></span></p> <p><span style=" color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">The "Opportunity Malaysia 2005" mission included leaders from more than 20 Florida-based companies, three-fourths of which were from Broward, and economic interests who see great potential for increased commerce between the state and Kuala Lumpur.</span><span style=" color: #000000; font-size: 10pt;"></span></p> <p><span style=" color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">The Florida Space Authority, a mission participant, said it held exploratory discussions with Malaysian officials about bringing space tourism to southeast Asia. The discussions involved bringing students to the United States for sub-orbital rocket launch training programs with scientists and engineers.</span><span style=" color: #000000; font-size: 10pt;"></span></p> <p><span style=" color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">The program already has a working agreement with the Irish government and involves NASA, as well as Boeing and Lockheed Martin.</span><span style=" color: #000000; font-size: 10pt;"></span></p> <p><span style=" color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">Florida Space Authority Board Member Ken Haiko said Malaysia has traditionally used Russian technology for its satellite launches.</span><span style=" color: #000000; font-size: 10pt;"></span></p> <p><span style=" color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">Other results of the mission:</span><span style=" color: #000000; font-size: 10pt;"></span></p> <ul> <li><span style=" color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">International Warehouse Services, a company that primarily stores cargo in the Fort Lauderdale foreign trade zone at Port Everglades, is negotiating to provide port services in Malaysia.</span><span style=" color: #000000; font-size: 10pt;"></span></li> <li><span style=" color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">Aviation company SkyTruck said it expects to sell 10 airplanes to the Malaysian government.</span><span style=" color: #000000; font-size: 10pt;"></span></li> <li><span style=" color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">Nova Southeastern University is considering an American-accredited university consortium to provide educational opportunities to Malaysian people without them having to leave their country to study.</span><span style=" color: #000000; font-size: 10pt;"></span></li> </ul> <p><span style=" color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">Bernhard Schutte, chief executive officer of Fort Lauderdale-based <a href="http://www.dmni.com">Digital Media Network, Inc.</a> organized the Feb. 26-March 5 mission.</span><span style=" color: #000000; font-size: 10pt;"></span></p> <p><span style=" color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">"Malaysia has a stable economy, favorable political market conditions, strong, multi-faceted ties to the United States, and is second only to Japan in wealth among Southeast Asian nations," Schutte said. "This trip laid the foundation for partnerships that will enable Florida interests to increase market share, expand globally and gain access to an entire region."</span><span style=" color: #000000; font-size: 10pt;"></span></p> </div> <p><span style=" color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;" class="footer"><em>© 2005 American City Business Journals Inc.</em></span></p> http://www.ebm.com.my/Malaysia_may_use_S__Fla__as_Western_Hemisphere_bas.html 2010-03-09T23:13:03Z

Children in developing countries, especially in Asia, are falling victim to obesity, a worrying trend as it leads to severe health complications at a tender age, warned an expert.

<p align="justify" class="news"><img height="246" alt="" border="0" align="right" hspace="10" width="204" src="http://www.ebmamerica.com/upload/userimages/norman.jpg" />KUALA LUMPUR, March 5 (Bernama) -- Children in developing countries, especially in Asia, are falling victim to obesity, a worrying trend as it leads to severe health complications at a tender age, warned an expert.<br /> <br /> "The United States (US) is very involved in obesity but now it is definitely spreading to Southeast Asia and in particular we are seeing it in younger people, they are getting diabetes," Dr Norman Samuels, a surgeon with the Florida-based Centre For Severe Obesity, told Bernama here Saturday.<br /> <br /> "It is becoming a worldwide problem and it has increased in recent years because of fast food and the advent of television and computer games.<br /> <br /> "Children are not going outside to play or have an active life any more. Most of the time they sit in front of computer games or television.<br /> <br /> "As a result, from an early age they eat a lot of wrong food and don't burn out the calories. So they get heavier and heavier," he said.<br /> <br /> In countries like China and India, two fast growing economies in the world, and even in West Asia, more children were prone to obesity, due to changing lifestyle but this was a very unhealthy trend, said Dr Samuels.<br /> <br /> Overweight children are prone to high blood pressure, diabetes and degenerative arthritis, which eventually affect their quality of life.<br /> <br /> To combat the rising obesity cases, doctors are now performing gastric bypass, found to be more effective compared with traditional weight reduction methods like taking slimming pills.<br /> <br /> "On average, at least 70 per cent of the excessive weight in a person can be removed and there is permanent weight loss if patients follow procedures," Dr Samuels said, adding that in the US, about 100,000 such surgeries were performed in 2004.<br /> <br /> Dr Samuels is in Malaysia to introduce obesity surgery to local hospitals and he said that several hospitals were keen to learn about it.<br /> <br /> "There is a problem in Malaysia and it is a service to the public because it is not cosmetic surgery but it is done against diseases.<br /> <br /> "We will help set up the whole programme, train the surgeons and nurses, and we will bring dieticians, psychologists and trainers," he added.<br /> <br /> -- BERNAMA</p> http://www.ebm.com.my/Child_Obesity_Threatening_Asia__Warns_US_Expert.html 2010-03-09T23:13:03Z

The government will continue its handholding approach to facilitate potential foreign investors in exploring investments in Malaysia, Deputy Minister of International Trade and Industry, Datuk Mah Siew Keong, said Monday.

<p align="justify" class="news">KUALA LUMPUR, March 4 (Bernama) -- The government will continue its hand holding approach to facilitate potential foreign investors in exploring investments in Malaysia, Deputy Minister of International Trade and Industry, Datuk Mah Siew Keong, said Monday.<br /> <br /> He said under the approach implemented last year by the Malaysian Industrial Development Authority (MIDA), an officer would be in charge of foreign investors to help and guide them through procedures so as to facilitate their investments.<br /> <br /> "The official will look after the needs of investors and help them all the way from the day they begin to make inquiries until the factory is set up," he said after briefing a 30-member business delegation from Florida, here Monday.<br /> <br /> The trade delegation consists of high-profile American business executives who have been brought here under the "Opportunity Malaysia 2005" programme organized by the US Florida District Export Council.<br /> <br /> Mah said the official assigned would ensure that investors did not face any obstacles in setting up their businesses.<br /> <br /> So far, he added that foreign investors had given positive feedback on the approach.<br /> <br /> Mah also said that the United States is Malaysia's largest trading partner and export market as well as its second largest source of imports last year.<br /> <br /> Total trade between the two countries in 2004 was valued at US$38.9 billion, he added.<br /> <br /> "Total trade between Malaysia and US is bigger than the total trade of US with Russia and India combined," he said.<br /> <br /> On potential areas for US-Malaysia business collaborations, Mah said the government is promoting industries such as electronics, automotive, machinery and equipment, petrochemical, biotechnology and nano-technology. Other areas are medical equipment and products, establishments of regional and global operations, and information and communications technology (ICT).<br /> <br /> -- BERNAMA</p> http://www.ebm.com.my/Govt_To_Continue_Handholding_Approach_To_Help_Fore.html 2010-03-09T23:13:03Z

Former American astronaut Capt Winston E. Scott studied music and walked in space. He knew what he wanted and focused his mind on making it possible.

<p><span style=" font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">Kuala Lumpur: Former American astronaut Capt Winston E. Scott studied music and walked in space. He knew what he wanted and focused his mind on making it possible.<br /> &#160;<br /> &#160;"Believe, and you can do it," said Scott who flew on two successful trips into space on the orbiter Endeavor in 1996 followed by a trip on the ill-fated shuttle Columbia a year later.<br /> &#160;<br /> &#160;"When I speak to students in the United States or in Russia, I look directly into their eyes and tell them that they can do it. That is my personal message through my eye contact with them," he said at a lecture on his experiences to some 200 students at the National Planetarium here today.<br /> &#160;<br /> &#160;"Primarily, my aim is to motivate them. I want them to understand how exciting a career in space can be. How fun and rewarding it can be and also to instill in them that it is possible for them to do it."<br /> &#160;<br /> &#160;Scott obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree in music from the Florida State University in 1972 and did a Master of Science degree in aeronautical engineering in the United States Naval Postgraduate School in 1980.<br /> &#160;<br /> &#160;In March 1992, he was selected as an astronaut for the US National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) at the Lyndon B. Johnson Space Centre in Houston.<br /> &#160;<br /> &#160;As the mission specialist on the Endeavor and Columbia, he logged a total of 24 days, 14 hours and 34 minutes in space, including three space walks totaling 19 hours and 26 minutes.<br /> &#160;<br /> &#160;One of the space walks was made in 1997 with another astronaut to manually capture a satellite that was dislocated due to a malfunction.<br /> &#160;<br /> &#160;During his 16-day space trip in 1997 on the Columbia, one of the other crew members aboard was Kalpana Chawla, who was killed in 2003 with the rest of the crew when Columbia disintegrated minutes before heading back to earth.<br /> &#160;<br /> &#160;Scott is now the executive director of the Florida Space Authority and is actively involved in space-related industrial, economic and educational initiatives.<br /> &#160;<br /> &#160;He is on a visit to Malaysia to promote space technology and also share his experiences.<br /> &#160;<br /> &#160;"We are sowing the seeds on different areas where we can build a strong partnership in many different areas. Space is only one of them. Transportation and education are other areas where we can build a strong cooperation," he said.</span></p> http://www.ebm.com.my/Nothing_is_impossible__says_astronaut.html 2010-03-09T23:13:03Z

Aware of the friendly and conducive business environment in Malaysia, Florida businessmen are keen to set up joint ventures here.

<div align="left"> <table border="0" cellspacing="0" align="left" cellpadding="0" id="table3" width="330"> <tr> <td> <table bgcolor="#008080" border="0" cellspacing="2" align="left" cellpadding="4" id="table4" width="250"> <tr> <td bgcolor="#fdd7de" align="center"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://www.ebmamerica.com/upload/userimages/MISSION.jpg" /><br /> &#160; <div align="justify" class="news"><span style=" font-family: Arial; color: rgb(0,51,204); font-size: 10px;">ATTENTIVE... Chief Minister Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon with members of the South Florida Trade Mission paying full attention at the briefing segment on business opportunities in Penang. <em>Pix: K.Ganeson</em></span></div> </td> </tr> </table> </td> </tr> </table> </div> <p><span style=" font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;">PENANG, March 2 (Bernama) -- Aware of the friendly and conducive business environment in Malaysia, Florida businessmen are keen to set up joint ventures here.<br /> <br /> The Florida trade delegation is here on a seven-day visit under the "Opportunity Malaysia 2005" program organized by the US Florida District Export Council.<br /> <br /> "Malaysian businessmen who want to penetrate the US and Latin American markets can use us as their partners," said Digital Media Network Inc chief executive, Bernhard Schutte, who heads the 30-member delegation.<br /> <br /> "The US companies are quite diverse and some are involved in education, health, transport and logistics and construction industry," he said.<br /> <br /> He said for the delegation, "This is a fact finding visit and we are looking for a long term relationship and the Penang companies should take this opportunity to collaborate with the US companies," said Schutte.<br /> <br /> Earlier, Penang Chief Minister Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon said that the delegation was also interested in expanding bilateral trade between Florida and Malaysia by making the "space industry city" as the logistics hub for Malaysian products to the US.<br /> <br /> He said the main objective of the delegation was to strengthen commercial ties between Malaysia and the US by finding new suppliers of Malaysian products, exploring partnership to invest in Malaysia or the US and selling more US goods and services in Malaysia.<br /> <br /> The delegation is due to visit Kedah.<br /> <br /> -- BERNAMA</span></p> http://www.ebm.com.my/Florida_Businessmen_Eager_To_Have_Joint_Ventures_I.html 2010-03-09T23:13:03Z

A GROUP of visiting Florida-based businessmen said they are ready to join up with their Malaysian counterparts to create entities to penetrate the lucrative China and India markets.

<p><span style=" font-size: 10pt;">A GROUP of visiting Florida-based businessmen said they are ready to join up with their Malaysian counterparts to create entities to penetrate the lucrative China and India markets.</span></p> <p><span style=" font-size: 10pt;">Head of the 35-member delegation, Bernhard Schutte, said there was much businessmen from Florida, US, and Malaysia with their combined knowledge and technology could do in the Asian region.<br /> <br /> The delegation, led by Schutte who is also the chief executive director of US-based Digital Media Network, arrived in Kuala Lumpur on Sunday.<br /> <br /> The delegates have dealings mainly in the services sector and met International Trade and Industry Deputy Minister Datuk Mah Siew Keong yesterday.<br /> <br /> One of the delegates, Captain Winston E. Scott, the executive director of Florida Space Authority, said his focus is on space education.<br /> <br /> “We will be meeting Malaysia’s Minister of Science and Technology and also the Minister of Education. We hope to see more Malaysian students striving for space education, especially in Florida,” he said.<br /> <br /> During its eight-day visit, the delegation will meet Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak and visit high-technology facilities in Kulim and Penang.</span></p> <p align="center"><img alt="" src="http://www.ebmamerica.com/upload/userimages/Image284.jpg" border="0" /></p> http://www.ebm.com.my/Florida_delegation_to_join_Malaysians_win_China__I.html 2010-03-09T23:13:03Z

Former American astronaut Capt. Winston E. Scott studied music and walked in space.

<p align="justify" class="news"><span style=" font-size: 10pt;">KUALA LUMPUR, March 1 (Bernama) -- Former American astronaut Capt. Winston E. Scott studied music and walked in space.<br /> <br /> He knew what he wanted and focused his mind on making it possible.<br /> <br /> "Believe, and you can do it," said Scott who flew on two successful trips into space on the orbiter Endeavor in 1996 followed by a trip on the ill-fated shuttle Columbia a year later.<br /> <br /> "When I speak to students in the United States or in Russia, I look directly into their eyes and tell them that they can do it. That is my personal message through my eye contact with them," he said at a lecture on his experiences to some 200 students at the National Planetarium, here Tuesday.<br /> <br /> "Primarily, my aim is to motivate them. I want them to understand how exciting a career in space can be. How fun and rewarding it can be and also to instill in them that it is possible for them to do it."<br /> <br /> Scott obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree in music from the Florida State University in 1972 and did a Master of Science degree in aeronautical engineering in the United States Naval Postgraduate School in 1980.<br /> <br /> In March 1992, he was selected as an astronaut for the US National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) at the Lyndon B. Johnson Space Centre in Houston.<br /> <br /> As the mission specialist on the Endeavor and Columbia, he logged a total of 24 days, 14 hours and 34 minutes in space, including three space walks totaling 19 hours and 26 minutes.<br /> <br /> One of the space walks was made in 1997 with another astronaut to manually capture a satellite that was dislocated due to a malfunction.<br /> <br /> During his 16-day space trip in 1997 on the Columbia, one of the other crew members aboard was Kalpana Chawla, who was killed in 2003 with the rest of the crew when Columbia disintegrated minutes before heading back to earth.<br /> <br /> Scott is now the executive director of the Florida Space Authority and is actively involved in space-related industrial, economic and educational initiatives.<br /> <br /> He is on a visit to Malaysia to promote space technology and also share his experiences.<br /> <br /> "We are sowing the seeds on different areas where we can build a strong partnership in many different areas. Space is only one of them. Transportation and education are other areas where we can build a strong cooperation," he said.<br /> <br /> -- BERNAMA</span></p> http://www.ebm.com.my/Ex_Astronaut_Says__Believe_And_It_s_Possible_To_Wa.html 2010-03-09T23:13:03Z

Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak says that a trade delegation from Florida, currently on a seven-day visit, is keen in exploring space tourism in Malaysia.

<p><span style=" font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">PUTRAJAYA, March 1 (Bernama) -- Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak says that a trade delegation from Florida, currently on a seven-day visit, is keen in exploring space tourism in Malaysia.</span><span style=" font-size: 10pt;"></span></p> <p><span style=" font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">He said that space tourism, a new industry, was getting popular in the US.</span><span style=" font-size: 10pt;"></span></p> <p><span style=" font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">"As such, they have proposed to expand space tourism to Malaysia," he said after meeting the delegation, which arrived on Feb 27, here Tuesday.</span><span style=" font-size: 10pt;"></span></p> <p><span style=" font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">Najib said that the 30-member delegation, headed by Digital Media Network Inc chief executive, Bernard Schuttle, felt that Malaysia has the potential and was suitable for the development of space tourism.</span><span style=" font-size: 10pt;"></span></p> <p><span style=" font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">The delegation is visiting Malaysia under the "Opportunity Malaysia 2005" programme organised by the US Florida District Export Council.</span><span style=" font-size: 10pt;"></span></p> <p><span style=" font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">Najib said that the delegation was also interested in expanding bilateral trade between Florida and Kuala Lumpur by making the "space industry city" as the logistics hub for Malaysian products to the US.</span><span style=" font-size: 10pt;"></span></p> <p><span style=" font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">According to Najib the delegation had said that its trip here had provided them with a true picture of the real situation in the country.</span><span style=" font-size: 10pt;"></span></p> <p><span style=" font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">Members of the delegation claimed that prior to this, they had little knowledge of Malaysia and were in fact portrayed with a somewhat negative image of the country.</span><span style=" font-size: 10pt;"></span></p> <p><span style=" font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">"Now, after meeting several parties here they are astonished with our success and the friendliness of Malaysians," he said.</span><span style=" font-size: 10pt;"></span></p> <p><span style=" font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">The delegation is due to visit Penang and Kedah.</span></p> http://www.ebm.com.my/Florida_Trade_Delegation_Keen_In_Exploring_Space_T.html 2010-03-09T23:13:03Z

The OpportunityMalaysia 2005 Trade Mission is officially on its way

<!--StartFragment--><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px">The OpportunityMalaysia 2005 Trade Mission is officially on its way. The participants arrived in Kuala Lumpur International Airport on February 27 at 12 noon.</span> <div align="center"> <table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="table1"> <tr> <td><a href="http://www.tellall.com/modules/link_stat/link_stat.php?65632419532993156"><img border="0" alt="The Trade Mission Arrived at Kuala Lumpur" src="http://www.tellall.com/data/profiles/18/eletter/body_images/arrival-500.JPG" /></a></td> </tr> </table> </div> &nbsp; http://www.ebm.com.my/Mission_Participants_arrive_in_Kuala_Lumpur.html 2010-03-09T23:13:03Z

THE United States’ largest trade mission here in over a decade is coming with an ambitious three-pronged agenda.

<p><strong><span style=" font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;">BY PAUL GABRIEL</span></strong></p> <p><span style=" font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;">THE United States’ largest trade mission here in over a decade is coming with an ambitious three-pronged agenda. &#160;</span></p> <p><span style=" font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;">Tagged <em>Opportunity Malaysia 2005</em>, the 32-member high-profiled mission from Fort Lauderdale in Florida will arrive in Kuala Lumpur on Sunday and also visit Penang and Kedah until March 6. &#160;</span></p> <p><span style=" font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;">The Florida mission has three main aims – to strengthen commercial ties between Malaysia and the US, find new suppliers of Malaysian products and explore partnerships for investments in both countries, and to sell more US goods and services in Malaysia. &#160;</span></p> <p><span style=" font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;">Florida-based Digital Media Network Inc (DMNI), a leading international business consultancy firm that has been assisting Malaysian firms to penetrate the US, Latin American and Caribbean markets, is organising the trip. &#160;</span></p> <p><span style=" font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;">The US Embassy’s commercial counsellor here, William Zarit, said it had taken over a year of planning to put together a group of influential Florida businessmen, adding that the mission was coming only to Malaysia. &#160;</span></p> <p><span style=" font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;">“We worked very closely with the Department of Commerce based in Florida, and this is not a typical trade mission. The people coming on this trip are from a diverse base and from the highest level,” he told <em>StarBiz</em> in an interview.&#160;</span></p> <p><img alt="" align="right" src="http://www.ebmamerica.com/upload/userimages/bernhard1a.jpg" border="0" /><span style=" font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;">The mission will be led by DMNI president Bernhard Schutte, whose company specialises in seeking joint ventures, mergers and acquisitions.&#160;</span></p> <p><span style=" font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;">Schutte, who has been to Malaysia manny times, said members of the mission were eager to set up joint ventures, mergers and acquisitions here. &#160;</span></p> <p><span style=" font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;">“We can also help Malaysian companies penetrate the US market,” he added. &#160;</span></p> <p><span style=" font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;">Zarit said the US businessmen headed here were very committed to “engaging” with Malaysia. &#160;</span></p> <p><span style=" font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;">“Otherwise, it would not be possible to get so many of them to leave their bases in Florida for over a week. It shows just how serious they are in wanting to do business with Malaysia,” he added.&#160;</span></p> <p><span style=" font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;">Members of the mission are scheduled to call on Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi in Putrajaya on March 1 and also hold discussions with Penang Chief Minister Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon and Kedah Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Syed Razak Syed Zain.</span></p> http://www.ebm.com.my/US_trade_team_coming_with_three_pronged_mission.html 2010-03-09T23:13:03Z

Astronaut Capt Winston Scott will be in Malaysia from Feb 27 to March 2 as part of the 'Opportunity Malaysia 2005' Florida trade mission comprising some 30 high profile entrepreneurs from 24 US companies.

<p><span style=" font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 20 (Bernama) -- Astronaut Capt Winston Scott will be in Malaysia from Feb 27 to March 2 as part of the 'Opportunity Malaysia 2005' Florida trade mission comprising some 30 high profile entrepreneurs from 24 US companies.<br /> &#160;<br /> &#160;Scott will be accompanied by chairman of the Florida Space Authority (FSA) Board of Supervisors, Ken Haiko, said Bernhard Schutte, chief executive officer of Digital Media Network Inc (DMNI) in a statement through his Kuala Lumpur-based company, Electronic Business Management Sdn Bhd (EBM), today.<br /> &#160;<br /> &#160;DMNI, EBM and the Commercial Service of the US embassy here are the organisers of the trade mission, the largest trade mission from Florida to Malaysia.<br /> &#160;<br /> &#160;Now the executive director of FSA, Scott has logged a total of 24 days, 14 hours and 34 minutes in space, including three spacewalks totalling 19 hours and 26 minutes.<br /> &#160;<br /> &#160;"Capt Scott is known for having retrieved a multimillion dollar satellite that was lost in space," said Schutte of the astronaut who will also meet some 200 children at the National Planetarium on March 1 before fying to Penang.<br /> &#160;<br /> &#160;While in Malaysia, Scott is seeking partnerships and joint ventures in the space industry, space education, space transportation and space tourism.<br /> &#160;<br /> &#160;"He believes that Malaysia can become the hub of the Southeast Asian region for future space travel," added Schutte.<br /> &#160;<br /> &#160;Scott will also meet Higher Education Minister Datuk Dr Shafie Salleh; Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Datuk Dr Jamaludin Jarjis; and National Space Agency Director General Datuk Dr Mazlan Othman.<br /> &#160;<br /> &#160;-- BERNAMA</span></p> http://www.ebm.com.my/_Astronaut_Capt_Winston_Scott_To_Make_Four_Day_Vis.html 2010-03-09T23:13:03Z

Opportunity Malaysia Trade Mission 2005 held their final briefing at the Broward Alliance.

<p><span style=" color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">Fort Lauderdale, FL - On Friday, February 18, 2005. the Opportunity Malaysia Trade Mission 2005 held their final briefing at the Broward Alliance.&#160; About half of the delegates arrived and were able to receive their flight tickets, mission programs, itineraries, gift bags, and ask any questions regarding the mission.&#160; Mission organizer, Bernhard Schutte, DMNI Chief Executive Officer, said "This is the largest mission ever from the USA to Malaysia and we are expecting great results."</span></p> <p align="center"><img alt="" height="228" border="1" width="530" area="120840" src="http://www.malaysiamission.com/cache/images/43.pjpeg" /><br /> <strong><span style=" font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt;">From Left to right First Row:</span></strong><span style=" font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt;"> Ms. Paula Haiko, Florida Space Authority - Ms. Anne Dufresne, Greater Pompano Beach Chamber of Commerce - Mr. Bernhard Schutte, CEO, Digital Media Network, Inc. - Mr. Lauro Bianda, President, Agycon, Inc. - Mr. Thomas Bernthaler, CIO, Digital Media Network, Inc.<br /> <strong>From Left to right Second Row:</strong> Mr. John Diep, Director Asia/Pacific Region, Enterprise Florida - Mr. Ken Haiko, Chairman of Board of Supervisors, Florida Space Authority - Mr. Ralph Locher, Attorney, Lerner &#38; Greenberg, P.A. - Mr. Jim Tarlton, Presiden &#38; CEO, Broward Alliance - Mr. Douglas Everett, President, Greater Pompano Beach Chamber of Commerce - Mr. Carlos Banks, District Sales Manager, Malaysia Airlines - Ms. Marilyn Scott, Florida Space Authority - Captain Winston Scott, Executive Director, Florida Space Authority - Ms. Faye Samuels, Center for Severe Obesity - Ms. Lorna Honecker, Realtor, Prudential Florida First - Dr. Norman Samuels, President, Center for Severe Obesity - Theo Voyatzoglou, President, Cubicorp - Mr. Patrick Everett, Executive Assistant, Digital Media Network, Inc.</span><br /> </p> http://www.ebm.com.my/Final_Briefing_for_Malaysia_Trade_Mission.html 2010-03-09T23:13:03Z

SOME 30 high-profiled American businessmen and women from Florida will be in Malaysia from February 27 to March 6 to seek business opportunities in the country.

<p><span style=" font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">SOME 30 high-profiled American businessmen and women from Florida will be in Malaysia from February 27 to March 6 to seek business opportunities in the country.</span></p> <div><span style=" font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">The business delegation representing 24 US companies will be here under the “Opportunity Malaysia 2005 Trade Mission” organised by the US Florida District Export Council.<br /> <br /> “Besides Kuala Lumpur, the delegation is expected to visit Penang and Kedah,” Digital Media Network Inc’s (DMNI) chief executive officer Bernhard Schutte said in Kuala Lumpur yesterday.<br /> <br /> DMNI is the company that is putting together the entire trade mission on behalf of the Florida export council and in cooperation with the US Commercial Service.<br /> <br /> Among those in the delegation will be representatives from the Florida Space Authority and Nova Southeastern University.<br /> <br /> Schutte said the mission would be the largest-ever US business delegation from Florida to Malaysia.<br /> <br /> DMNI is a leading international business consultancy firm that assists Malaysian companies seeking to penetrate the US, Latin America and the Caribbean market and on the converse, US companies seeking to penetrate the Malaysian and South-East Asian markets. It helps with joint ventures, mergers and acquisitions. — Bernama</span></div> http://www.ebm.com.my/Florida_firms_eye_deals_in_Malaysia.html 2010-03-09T23:13:03Z

24 U.S.A. Companies Create Largest Delegation to Malaysia Florida Space Authority, Nova Southeastern University, and Digital Media Network are among the companies joining the delegation.

<p><span style=" font-size: 12px;"><span style=" font-family: Arial;">Opportunity Malaysia 2005 Trade Mission in cooperation with the U.S.A. Commercial Service and Digital Media Network, Inc. (DMNI) will be in Malaysia from February 27 to March 6, 2005. This mission is comprised of some 30 top profiled businessmen and women on a working visit to Kuala Lumpur, Penang, and Kedah. This will be the largest ever U.S.A. business delegation from Florida to Malaysia. The group’s overarching aim is to strengthen commercial ties between Malaysia and the U.S.A. by finding new suppliers of Malaysian products, exploring partnerships to invest in Malaysia or the U.S.A., and selling more U.S.A. goods and services in Malaysia.<br /> <br /> Digital Media Network is the company that has put together the complete Trade Mission on behalf of the U.S. Florida District Export Council. DMNI is a leading International Business Consultancy Firm that assists Malaysian companies seeking to penetrate the U.S.A., Latin American and the Caribbean market as well as U.S.A. companies seeking to penetrate the Malaysian and Southeast Asian markets. DMNI specializes in companies seeking joint ventures, merges, and acquisitions.<br /> <br /> Digital Media Network has teamed up together with Electronic Business Management (EBM), now a sister company based in Malaysia. EBM’s Chief Executive Officer is Rosnah Majid, who is a former Minister from the State of Kedah and a well known journalist. With offices now in Kuala Lumpur and Fort Lauderdale, the two companies are well equipped to assist companies for all their international needs. This is the first of many missions to come. Any companies interested in doing business between the U.S.A. and Malaysia can contact DMNI, if they need any assistance.<br /> <br /> The list of people on this mission is from only the highest level which makes this mission even stronger. I would like to take this opportunity to provide you an introduction of some of the members joining the mission from Florida.<br /> <br /> Joining the mission will be Dr. Ray Ferrero, Jr., President of Nova Southeastern University (NSU). Dr Ferrero was awarded as one of the most influential people in education in the U.S.A. He is interested in meeting with the Minister of Higher Education, Dato' Dr. Haji Shafie Haji Mohd Salleh, and other higher level decision makers for building a university or university partnerships in Malaysia. He is also seeking to meet with private investors who are interested in building a private university.<br /> <br /> Nova Southeastern University is an award winning university, which is the tenth largest private university in the U.S.A., with branches located in the Bahamas, Canada, Dominican Republic, France, Greece, Jamaica, Mexico, Panama, United Kingdom, and Venezuela. NSU specializes in onsite and distance learning and its School of Business focuses on Entrepreneurship which most universities do not cover.<br /> Other fields that NSU specializes in are: • Education • Computer Science • Math • Science • Technology • Business / Entrepreneurship • Health. NSU prepares their students for lifelong learning and leadership roles in business and the professions.<br /> <br /> I believe this will be a great opportunity for Malaysia to be able to team up with a University of this stature. To have Dr. Ferrero join us on this mission, already speaks for itself. Dr. Ferrero sees that there is a lot of opportunity in Malaysia for higher education. He is not like other presidents of universities, which are mostly professors and educators. Dr. Ferrero is purely a businessman and that is what makes Nova Southeastern University different from other universities.<br /> <br /> I am also happy to announce that Captain Winston Scott, Executive Director of the Florida Space Authority, will be joining the mission. As a former NASA astronaut, Captain Scott is well known for having retrieved a multi-million dollar satellite that was lost in space. Florida Space Authority is a sister company of NASA and is a world leader in the space industry. Captain Scott is seeking partnerships and joint ventures in the space industry, comprised of education, space tourism, and space transportation. He believes that Malaysia can become the Hub of the Southeast Asian Region for future space travel.<br /> <br /> Captain Scott would like to meet with the Minister of Science, Technology, &#38; Innovation, Dato' Dr. Jamaludin B. Mohd Jarjis and the Minister of Higher Education, Dato' Dr. Haji Shafie Haji Mohd Salleh. It was said by the Minister of Higher Education that he would organize a talk by Florida Space Authority to all Vice Chancellors of all universities in Malaysia and top education officials from his ministry.<br /> <br /> Dr. Norman Samuels, President of The Center for Severe Obesity, Inc. will be joining the mission. Dr. Samuels has experience and expertise for the past 20 years in the performance of obesity surgery and managing and running a profitable office based practice restricted to the pre and post- operative management of obesity surgery patients. This has required close coordination with local hospitals.<br /> <br /> Obesity is a worldwide problem. For those who are "morbidly obese" defined as a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 40 or above, approximately 100 lbs. overweight, the only effective treatment is obesity surgery and the preferred operation is a Roux-en Y gastric bypass. The surgery produces permanent weight loss and resolves most of the associated co-morbidities, such as diabetes, hypertension, sleep apnea etc. Because of this, these people can again become healthy productive members of society. The total cost of the surgery in the U.S.A. is $20,000.00 to $30,000.00 but this cost is recovered in about 3 1/2 years by elimination of the cost of treating the co-morbidities.<br /> <br /> Dr. Samuels is interested in training surgeons, their personnel and assisting in setting up Obesity Surgery Centers in hospitals and possibly clinics or medical offices in Malaysia. He would like to meet with public health officials, government health policy makers, persons responsible for both private and governmental health decisions, as well as local hospital administrators, physicians and surgeons, nursing and operating room personnel. If negotiations are productive, psychology and dietary professionals must also be included.<br /> <br /> Fred Rogacki, Chief Executive Officer of International Warehouse Services (IWS) will be attending the mission. IWS is a warehousing and distribution company that occupies over one million square feet of Foreign-Trade Zone (60% of the space in the free trade zone) in Port Everglades Florida. IWS is the largest and oldest ( 20 years) logistics provider in the region. IWS is seeking companies that are interested in having their products sold and distributed either in the U.S.A., or to Caribbean markets via South Florida. Their services include warehousing, freight forwarding, order processing, inventory control, and trucking.<br /> <br /> Skytruck Corporation’s President, Lance Maclean is looking to joint venture with a Malaysian firm to sell Skytruck aircrafts that are appropriate for the Southeast Asian markets. The Skytruck is a PT6-engined high-wing cantilever monoplane of all-metal structure, featuring a steer able nose-wheel to provide for operation from short, unprepared runways where hot or high altitude conditions may exist. The Skytruck is suited for passenger and/or cargo transportation and is the ultimate solution for multiple-mission usage.<br /> <br /> Skytruck’s combined commercial success, exceeds more than 750 General and Utility Aviation Aircraft Sales during the last 15 years. Armed Forces, such as the Venezuelan and Indonesian National Guard have chosen the Skytruck based on the aircraft performance and their corporate sales support and services.<br /> <br /> Jerry Schroer, President of EastWest Aircraft Sales, Inc., is dedicated to providing their customers with quality-care services in the location, purchase, sale, and delivery of new and used turboprop and jet aircraft worldwide. They specialize in Cessna Caravan, the truly unique aircraft that can carry almost two tons of people and freight at speed up to 185 knots. They buy, sell, and broker turbine and jet powered general aviation aircraft. EastWest Aircraft sells more Caravans around the world than any other company. They are interested in meeting small companies that would like to become an agent for EastWest Aircraft for the Southeast Asian region.<br /> <br /> Brian Sanz, President of Fox Croft Trading, Inc. will be joining the mission. Fox Croft Trading is the third largest pharmaceutical wholesale company in Florida and is seeking independent regional pharmaceutical importers and whole sale companies with interests in buying medicine from the U.S.A. and Canada. They are a provider of medicine from the U.S.A., Canada and Europe on name patient basis. Fox Croft Trading has been selling to health ministries in South America. They can supply any hospital, doctors or clinics with over 100,000 FDA approved medications. They have been doing exports of pharmaceuticals for the past 11 years to over 20 countries.<br /> <br /> Chris Cronje, President and Chief Executive Officer of Alpine Engineered Products, Inc., is interested in companies in the building component supply industry, wood or steel framing roof trusses. National Design and Engineering firms could also benefit from the services offered by Alpine, relating to software. Alpine Engineered Products has engineering design software for complete building structures in wood frame and steel for residential and commercial structures. Software based on Roof truss design with complete load analysis throughout the entire structure.<br /> <br /> Theo Voyatzoglou, President of Cubicorp, is interested in meeting with value added resellers, system integraters, consulting companies in the field of software implementations. Cubicorp specializes in extended solutions that include various levels of automation and event-driven order fulfillment. Cubic ERP, Cubicorp's flagship product, is a totally integrated enterprise system providing technologically advanced, highly scalable solutions for engineering-intensive, order-driven manufacturing, as well as for project-specific environments. With real-time processing and a rich array of user-selectable features, it has the functionality and flexibility to support best business practices without the need for expensive custom<br /> enhancements. At Cubicorp, their mission is to provide innovative software solutions that solve real-world business problems resulting in total customer satisfaction, profitability and competitive advantage.<br /> <br /> Ralph Locher who is an attorney at Lerner and Greenberg, P.A. is joining the mission. Lerner and Greenberg is an intellectual property based law firm specializing in patents, trademarks, licensing, copyrights, unfair competition, etc. In 2003, they were ranked 21st in the nation for obtaining U.S.A. patents according to Intellectual Property Today magazine.<br /> <br /> Lerner and Greenberg is interested in technology based companies dealing in semiconductors, electronic components, computer parts, aerospace, and mechanical arts, local law firms specializing in intellectual property and general practice law firms with an intellectual property division, and research universities.<br /> <br /> Attending the mission will be MFZ Management Corporation’s President, German Leiva. MFZ is part of the service industry and is in the International Trade Field. MFZ is a freight-forwarding operation within a Foreign-Trade Zone. MFZ services the US-Latin American market from Miami, the Gateway of the Americas. They also promote Voice Over IP service connections via the internet with the switching terminating services in servers located in the United States of America.<br /> <br /> The end users are global companies that need to service their U.S.A. and Latin American clients for in-transit merchandise and global communications. The service is typically offered by large logistics companies. They specialize in the Latin American market with a "boutique" type of personalized service. A freight forwarder requires a Federal Maritime Commission license. The foreign-trade zone program is administered by Customs and Border Protection and the phones do not require licensing at this time. The agent might share the markup in the freight forwarding services. Also, in the VoIP business there is a commision for the client's use of the telephone long distance terminating services.<br /> <br /> MFZ is mostly interested in cargo agents, users for the foreign-trade zone and possibly manufacturers of internet telephones or potential agents for the distribution of the VoIP services. They are seeking distributors, agents, sales representatives or wholesalers.<br /> <br /> </span></span><strong><span style=" color: #000080; font-size: 12px;"><span style=" font-family: Arial;">Other members attending the mission are:<br /> </span></span></strong><span style=" font-family: Arial;"><span style=" font-size: 12px;"><br /> <strong>Carlos Banks,</strong> District Manager of Malaysia Airlines<br /> <strong>Lauro Bianda,</strong> President of Agycon<br /> <strong>John Diep,</strong> Director of Asia/Pacific Region of Enterprise Florida<br /> <strong>Douglas Everett,</strong> President of Greater Pompano Beach Chamber of Commerce<br /> <strong>Patrick Everett,</strong> Executive Assistant of Digital Media Network<br /> <strong>Manjit Gill,</strong> Attorney of Becker &#38; Poliakoff<br /> <strong>Stephanie Heckel,</strong> Trade Assistant of the U.S. Commercial Service<br /> <strong>Lorna Honecker,</strong> Prudential Florida First<br /> <strong>Dr. Rolf Schroeder,</strong> Digital Media Network<br /> <strong>Blake Spurlin,</strong> President of Spurlin Photography<br /> <strong>Jim Tarlton,</strong> President and Chief Executive Officer of the Broward Alliance<br /> <br /> I know this mission will be a huge success and I would like to thank everyone for their support. Large deals will be made from both sides, the U.S.A. and Malaysia, and we will look back on this mission and remember it.<br /> A website has been created especially for this mission <a href="http://www.malaysiamission.com ">www.malaysiamission.com</a><br /> <br /> Bernhard Schutte<br /> CEO, Digital Media Network, Inc.</span></span></p> http://www.ebm.com.my/Largest_Delegation_to_Malaysia.html 2010-03-09T23:13:03Z

Nova Southeastern University is in talks with Malaysia and Botswana officials about establishing programs in their countries.

<p><strong><span style=" font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">NSU considering new international programs.</span></strong><span style=" font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"><br /> </span><span style=" font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt;">by Brian Bandell</span><span style=" font-size: 10pt;"></span></p> <p><span style=" font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">Nova Southeastern University is in talks with Malaysia and Botswana officials about establishing programs in their countries.</span><span style=" font-size: 10pt;"></span></p> <p><span style=" font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">Ambassadors from both nations visited the private university's Davie campus in January. Four NSU officials, including President Ray Ferrero Jr., will visit Malaysia Feb. 25 for a weeklong trade mission led by Digital Media Network of Fort Lauderdale.</span><span style=" font-size: 10pt;"></span></p> <p><span style=" font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">NSU has international programs in 10 countries, mostly in the Americas and Europe, and has been in Jamaica and the Bahamas for more than 30 years. The course work is usually split between on-site instruction in the foreign nation and online learning from NSU's main campus.</span><span style=" font-size: 10pt;"></span></p> <p><span style=" font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">"The rest of the world looks at U.S. degrees as the hallmark of education," Ferraro said. "They [Malaysia and Botswana] have interest in learning about American business techniques and entrepreneurship."</span><span style=" font-size: 10pt;"></span></p> <p><span style=" font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">Talks with both governments are in the preliminary stages and no concrete proposals have been made, Ferrero said. However, Malaysian Ambassador Ghazzali bin Sheikh Abdul Khalid was eager to bring NSU to his nation, which would likely offer incentives. NSU would be the first American university to establish a program there.</span><span style=" font-size: 10pt;"></span></p> <p><span style=" font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">"They have a good academic record and have a record of having successfully engaged with other countries," Khalid said. "We ... will do our best to put this into practical effect."</span><span style=" font-size: 10pt;"></span></p> <p><span style=" font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">Education has taken an increasingly important role in Malaysia. It has 60,000 students studying abroad, including about 6,000 in the United States, although the number here has decreased due to more visa restrictions for national security purposes.</span><span style=" font-size: 10pt;"></span></p> <p><span style=" font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">Khalid said Malaysia is interested in training workers in computer science, information technology, biotechnology, engineering and aerospace, among other fields.</span><span style=" font-size: 10pt;"></span></p> <p><span style=" font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">"We're moving toward a knowledge economy where brainpower is the main resource."</span><span style=" font-size: 10pt;"></span></p> <p><span style=" font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">During the trade mission, Malaysia's top education officials will show NSU potential sites for the program and introduce them to Malaysian universities and entrepreneurs NSU could partner with to get it going, the ambassador said.</span><span style=" font-size: 10pt;"></span></p> <p><span style=" font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">NSU is already getting assistance from a Malaysian company related to Digital Media Network, the consulting company organizing the trade mission.</span><span style=" font-size: 10pt;"></span></p> <p><span style=" font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">Digital Media Network CEO Bernhard Schutte said the Malaysian government has big plans for NSU that could run into the hundreds of millions of dollars.</span><span style=" font-size: 10pt;"></span></p> <p><span style=" font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">Several other participants on the trade mission are talking to groups in Malaysia about possible deals, he said. So far, 35 people have signed up for the trip.</span><span style=" font-size: 10pt;"></span></p> <p><span style=" font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">NSU is also looking to further its discussions with Botswana about possibly starting a program there.</span><span style=" font-size: 10pt;"></span></p> <p><span style=" font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">Ferrero said Botswana's ambassador expressed interest in the university and plans to set up meetings between NSU and the country's top education officials.</span><span style=" font-size: 10pt;"></span></p> <p><span style=" font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">NSU doesn't have any programs in Africa.</span><span style=" font-size: 10pt;"></span></p> <p><span style=" font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">Botswana's ambassador in Washington, D.C., didn't return calls for comment.</span><span style=" font-size: 10pt;"></span></p> <p><span style=" font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">E-mail staff writer Brian Bandell at <a href="mailto:bbandell@bizjournals.com">bbandell@bizjournals.com</a>.</span></p> <p align="center"><img height="423" border="0" alt="" width="500" src="http://www.malaysiamission.com/cache/images/42.pjpeg" /></p> http://www.ebm.com.my/NSU_considering_new_international_programs.html 2010-03-09T23:13:03Z

A leading space authority and a private firm in Florida are eying Malaysia as the regional hub in Asia for space travel.

<p><span style="font-family:Arial; font-size:18px; color:#000080;">Malaysia may be hub for space travel<br /></span><span style="font-family:Arial; font-size:12px; "><em>BY JOHAN FERNANDEZ</em></span></p> <p><span style="font-family:Arial; font-size:12px; "><img height="275" border="1" width="350" alt="" src="http://www.malaysiamission.com/cache/images/39.jpeg" align="right" /><strong>NEW YORK:</strong> A leading space authority and a private firm in Florida are eying Malaysia as the regional hub in Asia for space travel.</span></p> <p><span style="font-family:Arial; font-size:12px; ">Disclosing this, Fort Lauderdale businessman Bernhard Schutte said Malaysia was well placed to serve as the hub for space tourism due to its central location.</span></p> <span style="font-family:Arial; font-size:12px; ">The Florida Space Authority, which is recognized as the leading space authority in the world, and the US private company, Zero G, are looking into the possibility of bringing space tourism to Malaysia and making it the hub for such travel in the region.</span> <p><strong><span style="font-family:Arial; font-size:12px; ">&ldquo;The technology is all there.</span></strong></p> <span style="font-family:Arial; font-size:12px; ">And there is so much potential for space travel that it can be very popular, not only in Malaysia and the region, but for the Middle East market as well,&rdquo; said the CEO of Digital Media Network Inc, that has a company in Malaysia.</span> <p><span style="font-family:Arial; font-size:12px; ">Schutte will be leading a 35-member Florida business delegation to Malaysia at the end of February, which includes Winston Scott, astronaut and executive director of the FSA who had been to space four times.</span></p> <span style="font-family:Arial; font-size:12px; ">The authority provides economic development for the state through space-related businesses and educational activities, said Schutte in a telephone interview here.</span> <p><span style="font-family:Arial; font-size:12px; ">Also included in the team is Dr. Ray Ferrero, president of Nova South Eastern University, which would also study the prospects of setting up a campus in Malaysia.</span></p> <span style="font-family:Arial; font-size:12px; ">It has taken a year to plan the top-level delegation from Florida to visit Malaysia, said Schutte, adding that they would be in Malaysia for a week with visits to Kuala Lumpur, Penang and Kedah.</span> <p><span style="font-family:Arial; font-size:12px; ">The Florida delegation would look into investment and business partnerships in space transportation, space tourism, space education, biotechnology, life sciences and education, oceanography and pharmaceuticals.</span></p> <span style="font-family:Arial; font-size:12px; ">Earlier in the week, the Malaysian ambassador to the United States, Datuk Ghazalli Sheikh Abdul Khalid led a delegation to Florida to visit the FSA and other business organizations involved in the business tour of Malaysia.</span> <p align="center"><a href="http://www.malaysiamission.com/upload/malaysia_may_be_hub_for_space_travel.pdf"><span style="font-family:Arial; font-size:12px; ">Click here for the PDF version.</span></a></p> http://www.ebm.com.my/Malaysia_may_be_hub_for_space_travel.html 2010-03-09T23:13:03Z

A delegation of trade and education officials lead by Malaysian Ambassador Dato' Ghazzali Sheikh Abdul Khalid visited the Florida Space Authority today. The officials met with Authority Executive Director CAPT Winston Scott and key staff to discuss opport

<p><strong><span style=" font-family: Arial;">Florida Space Authority<br /> News Release</span></strong></p> <p><span style=" font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;">Contact: Margo F. Witcher<br /> Communications Manager<br /> 321-730-5301 ext.1105<br /> <a href="mailto:m.witcher@floridaspaceauthority.com">m.witcher@floridaspaceauthority.com</a><br /> <a href="http://www.floridaspaceauthority.com">http://www.floridaspaceauthority.com</a></span></p> <p align="center"><strong><span style=" font-family: Arial; color: #000080;">Malaysian Ambassador Leads Delegation Visiting Space Authority</span><span style=" font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;"><br /> Opportunities for business and education partnerships discussed</span></strong></p> <p><strong><span style=" font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;">CAPE CANAVERAL</span></strong><span style=" font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;"> - A delegation of trade and education officials lead by Malaysian Ambassador Dato' Ghazzali Sheikh Abdul Khalid visited the <a href="http://www.floridaspaceauthority.com"><strong>Florida Space Authority</strong></a> today. The officials met with Authority Executive Director CAPT Winston Scott and key staff to discuss opportunities for business and education partnerships.</span></p> <p><span style=" font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;">The visit was facilitated by Fort Lauderdale businessman Bernhard Schutte, CEO of <a href="http://www.dmni.com"><strong>Digital Media Network</strong></a>, Inc. CAPT Scott, Mr. Schutte, and Space Authority Board of Supervisor Vice Chair Ken Haiko are scheduled to visit Malaysia next month to further discuss business options.</span></p> <p><span style=" font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;">Following the meeting at the Authority, the delegation toured the Kennedy Space Center and met with Center Director James Kennedy. The delegation included Director of Malaysian Industrial Development Authority Dato' Mr. Phang Ah Tong, Director of Malaysian Students Department Dr. Zahratul Kamar Mahmud, and Malaysian Trade Attache' to the U.S. Mr. Wong Seng Foo.</span></p> <p align="center"><span style=" font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;"><img border="1" alt="From left Mr. Schutte, CAPT Scott and Ambassador Ghazzali shake hands at the Authority signifying the beginning of a partnership relationship." longdesc="From left Mr. Schutte, CAPT Scott and Ambassador Ghazzali shake hands at the Authority signifying the beginning of a partnership relationship." src="http://www.ebmamerica.com/upload/userimages/Scott_Malaysia1.jpg" /><br /> <strong>Photo caption:</strong> From left Mr. Schutte, CAPT Scott and Ambassador Ghazzali shake<br /> hands at the Authority signifying the beginning of a partnership relationship.</span></p> <p><em><span style=" font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;">Florida Space Authority provides economic development for Florida through space. Established in 1989 by Florida's governor and legislature to support the retention, expansion and diversification of the state's space-related industry; Florida Space Authority has generated more than $1 billion for Florida's space-related businesses through technology, research, education, finance, tourism and launch. The Authority advances the state of space by helping space-related businesses, large and small, succeed in Florida</span></em>.</p> <p><a href="http://www.floridaspaceauthority.com/press/releases.html">http://www.floridaspaceauthority.com/press/releases.html</a></p> http://www.ebm.com.my/Malaysian_Ambassador_Leads_Delegation_Visiting_Spa.html 2010-03-09T23:13:03Z

Big US delegation to visit Malaysia

<p><strong><span style=" font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">Big US delegation to visit Malaysia</span></strong><span style=" font-size: 10pt;"></span></p> <p><span style=" font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">A 40-member Florida business delegation, the largest from the US in two decades, will be in Malaysia from Feb 27 to March 6, 2005, delegation leader Bernhard Schutte said. &#160;</span><span style=" font-size: 10pt;"></span></p> <p><span style=" font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">The delegation aims to strengthen commercial ties between Malaysia and the US by finding new suppliers of Malaysians products, exploring partnership to invest in Malaysia or the US and selling more US goods and services in Malaysia.&#160;</span><span style=" font-size: 10pt;"></span></p> <p><span style=" font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">Called the “Opportunity Malaysia 2005 Trade Mission”, the delegation would visit Kuala Lumpur, Penang and Kedah, said Schutte, who is also chief executive officer of Digital Media Network, Inc (DMNI), a leading American information technology company.&#160;</span><span style=" font-size: 10pt;"></span></p> <p><span style=" font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">Opportunity Malaysia 2005 is a trade mission being organized by the Florida District Export Council, an affiliate volunteer organization of the US Department of Commerce and DMNI, with the support of Enterprise Florida.&#160;</span><span style=" font-size: 10pt;"></span></p> <p><span style=" font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">“This is the fourth time I am here. When we do something, we'd like to do it right and have been doing our homework. This is going to be the largest mission in two decades coming to Malaysia from the US,” Schutte said on Friday last week.&#160;</span><span style=" font-size: 10pt;"></span></p> <p><span style=" font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">“We are bringing some very quality companies with us. One of the companies is the Florida Space Authority, which is the sister company to Nasa,” he added.&#160;</span><span style=" font-size: 10pt;"></span></p> <p><span style=" font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">Schutte said the reason they were coming was to look for partners in Malaysia into the space business. He said the space business was not only space any longer as it went into many different directions like tourism, biotechnology, information technology transportation and education.&#160;</span><span style=" font-size: 10pt;"></span></p> <p><span style=" font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">“One of the important fields they want to be involved in here is the education field. We visited the Higher Education Minister (Datuk Dr Shafie Salleh) and received a very positive response,” he said.&#160;</span><span style=" font-size: 10pt;"></span></p> <p><span style=" font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">Schutte said the minister, who recognised the importance of space education, would arrange for a meeting with the top guns in the country who are interested in the space business, when the Florida Space Authority comes here.&#160;</span><span style=" font-size: 10pt;"></span></p> <p><span style=" font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">Florida Space Authority, headed by its executive director Captain Winston Scott (a former Nasa astronaut), is seeking partnerships and joint ventures in the space industry. – Bernama&#160;</span><span style=" font-size: 10pt;"></span></p> <p><span style=" font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">Source: Bernama - <a target="_blank" href="http://www.investpenang.gov.my/nw01a12.htm">Click here to link to the story</a></span></p> http://www.ebm.com.my/Mission_Coverage_in_Penang.html 2010-03-09T23:13:03Z

National and Local Newspapers have written write-ups that inform Malaysians about the OpportunityMalaysia Mission.

<p><span style="font-family:Arial; font-size:12px; ">You can click on the newspaper cutouts to see bigger versions.</span></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://www.malaysiamission.com/images/news/Image114.jpg" target="_blank"><img height="648" border="0" width="300" alt="" src="http://www.malaysiamission.com/images/news/Image114sm.jpg" align="" /></a></p> <p align="center">&nbsp;</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://www.malaysiamission.com/images/news/Image105.jpg" target="_blank"><img height="192" border="0" width="300" alt="" src="http://www.malaysiamission.com/images/news/Image105sm.jpg" /></a></p> <p align="center">&nbsp;</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://www.malaysiamission.com/images/news/Image106.jpg" target="_blank"><img height="105" border="0" width="300" alt="" src="http://www.malaysiamission.com/images/news/Image106sm.jpg" /></a></p> <p align="center">&nbsp;</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://www.malaysiamission.com/images/news/Image107.jpg" target="_blank"><img height="192" border="0" width="300" alt="" src="http://www.malaysiamission.com/images/news/Image107sm.jpg" /></a></p> <p align="center">&nbsp;</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://www.malaysiamission.com/images/news/Image108.jpg" target="_blank"><img height="240" border="0" width="300" alt="" src="http://www.malaysiamission.com/images/news/Image108sm.jpg" /></a></p> http://www.ebm.com.my/Opportunity_Malaysia_is_announced_and_featured_in.html 2010-03-09T23:13:03Z

The Broward Alliance features Opportunity Malaysia in its newsletter.

<p><strong><span style=" font-size: 12pt;">Why Malaysia?</span></strong><span style=" font-size: 10pt;"></span></p> <p><strong><span style=" font-size: 10pt;">-U.S. companies exported $10.9 billion to Malaysia in 2003<br /> -Florida companies exported $171.8 million in goods and services in 2003</span></strong><span style=" font-size: 10pt;"></span></p> <p><span style=" font-size: 10pt;">President/CEO of The Broward Alliance, Jim Tarlton (JT) said, “South Florida is a global destination for businesses and Malaysia and Southeast Asia are important ingredients to the diversification of our global economy”.</span></p> <p><span style=" font-size: 10pt;">Three years ago, Bernhard Schutte, president of Digital Media Network, Inc. (DMNI), and long-time, active investor in The Broward Alliance, made his first trip to the Southeast Asian nation of Malaysia. He found a wealthy pro-American, multi-ethnic society, with a monorail in the capital city of Kuala Lumpur, and railways and highways linking to other cities. He learned that English is widely spoken in the former British colony and British-style education is free to university level students. “The Malaysians speak English and have all the contacts in the region. This saves the frustration of building a network into this multicultural, multilingual area.</span></p> <p><span style=" font-size: 10pt;">They already have the relationships we need. It is easy to team up with the Malaysians to tackle this market,” he said.</span></p> <p><span style=" font-size: 10pt;">From February 25 - March 6, 2005, the Florida Export Council will lead one of the largest business delegations to Malaysia. Participants are expected from throughout Florida, hoping to increase sales of U.S. goods and services; find new suppliers of goods and services, and explore joint venture opportunities. Schutte referred to Malaysia as “the secret back door to enter the South East Asian markets”.</span></p> <p><span style=" font-size: 10pt;">This mission is certified by Enterprise Florida and has the support of The Broward Alliance, the World Trade Center Palm Beach, the U.S. Commercial Service and the District Export Council. Commercial briefings are being held in Boca Raton, Tampa, Orlando and Jacksonville.</span></p> <p><span style=" font-size: 10pt;">Some prospect industries for the Malaysian market include: Healthcare, franchising, waste &#38; wastewater treatment, oil &#38; gas equipment, municipal and solid waste, biotechnology, information &#38; communication technologies, plastics materials &#38; resins.</span></p> http://www.ebm.com.my/The_Broward_Alliance_features_Opportunity_Malaysia.html 2010-03-09T23:13:03Z

News report published in the leading Malaysia Newspaper The Star.

<p><strong>Big US delegation to visit Malaysia</strong></p> <p>A 40-member Florida business delegation, the largest from the US in two decades, will be in Malaysia from Feb 27 to March 6, 2005, delegation leader Bernhard Schutte said.&#160;</p> <p>The delegation aims to strengthen commercial ties between Malaysia and the US by finding new suppliers of Malaysians products, exploring partnership to invest in Malaysia or the US and selling more US goods and services in Malaysia.</p> <p>Called the “Opportunity Malaysia 2005 Trade Mission”, the delegation would visit Kuala Lumpur, Penang and Kedah, said Schutte, who is also chief executive officer of Digital Media Network, Inc (DMNI), a leading American information technology company.</p> <p>Opportunity Malaysia 2005 is a trade mission being organised by the Florida District Export Council, an affiliate volunteer organisation of the US Department of Commerce and DMNI, with the support of Enterprise Florida.</p> <p>“This is the fourth time I am here. When we do something, we'd like to do it right and have been doing our homework. This is going to be the largest mission in two decades coming to Malaysia from the US,” Schutte said on Friday last week.</p> <p>“We are bringing some very quality companies with us. One of the companies is the Florida Space Authority, which is the sister company to Nasa,” he added.</p> <p>Schutte said the reason they were coming was to look for partners in Malaysia into the space business. He said the space business was not only space any longer as it went into many different directions like tourism, biotechnology, information technology transportation and education.</p> <p>“One of the important fields they want to be involved in here is the education field. We visited the Higher Education Minister (Datuk Dr Shafie Salleh) and received a very positive response,” he said.</p> <p>Schutte said the minister, who recognised the importance of space education, would arrange for a meeting with the top guns in the country who are interested in the space business, when the Florida Space Authority comes here.</p> <p>Florida Space Authority, headed by its executive director Captain Winston Scott (a former Nasa astronaut), is seeking partnerships and joint ventures in the space industry. – Bernama</p> <p>Source: The Star (Malaysia)</p> http://www.ebm.com.my/Big_US_delegation_to_visit_Malaysia.html 2010-03-09T23:13:03Z

Mission write-up by the Malaysian National News Agency BERNAMA

<p><strong><span style=" font-size: 10pt;">Trade Delegation From US Aims To Strengthen Commercial Ties With Malaysia.</span></strong><span style=" font-size: 10pt;"></span></p> <p><span style=" font-size: 10pt;">KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 24 (Bernama) -- A trade delegation comprising 40 businessmen from the United States (US) next year aims to help strengthen commercial ties between US and Malaysia by finding new suppliers of Malaysian products, a statement from the US Embassy said.</span></p> <p><span style=" font-size: 10pt;">The delegation entitled "Opportunity Malaysia 2005 Trade Mission", which is in cooperation with the US Commercial Service and Digital Media Network Inc. (DMNI) also wants to explore partnership to invest in Malaysia or the US, and selling more US goods and services in Malaysia.</span></p> <p><span style=" font-size: 10pt;">The delegations visit, to be led by the chief executive officer of DMNI, Bernard Schutte, would take place from Feb 27 till March 6 2005.</span></p> <p><span style=" font-size: 10pt;">The mission, which also has the support of the Florida District Export Council and Enterprise Florida will visit Kuala Lumpur, Penang and Kedah.</span></p> <p><span style=" font-size: 10pt;">Joining the mission will be executive director of the Florida Space Authority, Capt. Winston Scoot seeking partnership and joint venture in the space industry, said the statement.</span></p> <p><span style=" font-size: 10pt;">Also in the delegation would be representatives of DMNI, a leading US Information Technology company specialising in helping firms penetrate international markets using internet technologies.</span></p> <p><span style=" font-size: 10pt;">DMNI has already established a sister company in Malaysia called Electronic Business Management (EBM) Sdn Bhd, headed by Rosnah Majid, chief executive officer of Malaysia and South East Asia.</span></p> <p><span style=" font-size: 10pt;">Other mission members are International Warehouse Services, the largest freight forwarding and fulfilment company, Basic Food International, largest food importer to the US and a pharmaceutical wholesale company in Florida. They are looking for joint venture partners in South East Asia.</span></p> <p><span style=" font-size: 10pt;">-- BERNAMA, Malaysian National News Agency</span></p> http://www.ebm.com.my/Trade_Delegation_From_US_Aims_To_Strengthen_Commer.html 2010-03-09T23:13:03Z

Country Briefing on Malaysia and OpportunityMalaysia 2005 Mission Overview.

<p align="center"><span style="font-family:Arial; font-size:18px; ">The Florida District Export Council,<br />Jacksonville Regional Chamber of Commerce,<br />Enterprise Florida and U.S. Commercial Service</span></p> <p align="center"><span style="font-family:Arial; font-size:12px; "><strong>cordially invite you to a<br /></strong><br /></span><strong><span style="font-family:Arial; font-size:22px; color:#000080;">Country Briefing on Malaysia<br />and OpportunityMalaysia 2005 Mission Overview<br /></span></strong><span style="font-family:Arial; font-size:12px; "><br /></span><strong><span style="font-family:Arial; ">Tuesday, October 26, 2004 - 7:30 AM to 9:30 AM<br />(Mission Date is February 25 &ndash; March 6, 2005 led by Congressman E. Clay Shaw)<br /></span></strong><span style="font-family:Arial; font-size:12px; "><br /><strong>University Center, Room 1090<br />(at the University of North Florida, Jacksonville)<br />J Turner Butler Blvd. (Rt. 202) to Kernan Blvd, left onto Alumni Dr. University Center is Building 43, first building on left. FREE parking.<br /></strong><br /><span style="color:#FF0000;">Why Malaysia?</span> U.S. companies exported $10.9 Billion in 2003; Florida companies exported $171.8 Million in 2003. By flying 5 hours out of Kuala Lumpur, its capital, you can reach 60% of the world&rsquo;s population. As a comparison, flying 5 hours out of Jacksonville you reach 5% of the world&rsquo;s population. For more information about Malaysia and the OpportunityMalaysia 2005 Trade Mission visit the official mission site at: <a href="http://www.malaysiamission.com">http://www.malaysiamission.com</a><br /><br /><strong>Agenda: 7:30 AM Registration &amp; Networking (Coffee &amp; Pastries)<br />8:00 AM Program begins<br />9:00 AM Q &amp; A<br /></strong><br />Cost: $7 payable in advance. RSVP required due to limited number of places available. Check payable to &ldquo;Jacksonville Regional Chamber of Commerce&rdquo;, or call Robin Hoselton with credit card information at (904) 366-6690, fax (904) 353-6343 or e-mail: <a href="mailto:robin.hoselton@jacksonvillechamber.org">robin.hoselton@jacksonvillechamber.org</a>.</span></p> http://www.ebm.com.my/Malaysia_Mission_Market_Briefing___In_Jacksonville.html 2010-03-09T23:13:03Z

Discover New Sales Potential In Malaysia!

<p align="center"><span style="font-family:Arial; "><strong><span style="font-size:18px; color:#000080;">Discover New Sales Potential In Malaysia!<br /></span></strong><span style="font-size:12px; ">Presented by<br /></span><strong>The U.S. Department of Commerce<br /></strong><span style="font-size:12px; ">in collaboration with<br /></span><strong>The Florida District Export Council &amp;<br />Pinellas County Economic Development</strong></span></p> <p><strong><span style="font-family:Arial; font-size:12px; ">MARKET ANALYSIS BRIEFING</span></strong></p> <ul> <li> <p><span style="font-family:Arial; font-size:12px; ">Learn about Malaysia, a market of 24 million, located within five hrs. of 60% of the world&rsquo;s population!</span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-family:Arial; "><span style="font-size:12px; ">Receive a market overview and details of &ldquo;Opportunity Malaysia&rdquo; a trade mission planned for Feb. 25 to March 6, 2005. For details go o:</span> <a href="http://www.malaysiamission.com/"><span style="font-size:12px; ">http://www.malaysiamission.com/</span></a></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-family:Arial; "><span style="font-size:12px; ">You will receive important materials such as the</span> <strong><span style="font-size:12px; ">2004 Country Commercial Guide for Malaysia!</span></strong></span></p> </li> </ul> <table border="0"> <tr> <td valign="top" align="right"> <p><span style="font-family:Arial; font-size:12px; "><strong>What:&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</strong></span></p> </td> <td valign="top" style="padding-left:5.4pt; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-top:0in; padding-bottom:0in"> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial">A briefing to help you assess the market potential for your product/service in Malaysia by learning about market trends and opportunities.</span></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" align="right"> <p><span style="font-family:Arial; font-size:12px; "><strong>With:</strong>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</span></p> </td> <td> <p><span style="font-family:Arial; font-size:12px; ">A panel of Tampa Bay International business executives operating in the Malaysian business environment</span></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" align="right"> <p><span style="font-family:Arial; font-size:12px; "><strong>Where:&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</strong></span></p> </td> <td> <p><span style="font-family:Arial; font-size:12px; ">Tampa Bay Export Assistance Center<br />14010 Roosevelt Blvd., Suite 706 , Clearwater, FL 33762</span></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" align="right"> <p><span style="font-family:Arial; font-size:12px; "><strong>When:</strong>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</span></p> </td> <td> <p><span style="font-family:Arial; font-size:12px; ">Monday, October 25, 2004 - 9:00 AM to 11:30 AM<br /><strong>Deadline: Friday October 22, 2004</strong></span></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" align="right"> <p><span style="font-family:Arial; font-size:12px; "><strong>Cost:&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</strong></span></p> </td> <td> <p><span style="font-family:Arial; font-size:12px; ">$10.</span></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="84" align="right"> <p><span style="font-family:Arial; font-size:12px; "><strong>Best&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Prospects:&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</strong></span></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> </td> <td> <div align="center"> <table width="100%"> <tr> <td><span style="font-family:Arial; font-size:12px; ">Information &amp; communication Eqpt.</span></td> <td width="215" style="width:161.35pt;"><span style="font-family:Arial; font-size:12px; ">Franchising</span></td> </tr> <tr> <td width="293" style="width:3.05in;"><span style="font-family:Arial; font-size:12px; ">Environmental products &amp; services</span></td> <td width="215" style="width:161.35pt;"><span style="font-family:Arial; font-size:12px; ">Tourism</span></td> </tr> <tr> <td width="293" style="width:3.05in;"><span style="font-family:Arial; font-size:12px; ">Medical devices &amp; hospital Eqpt</span></td> <td width="215" style="width:161.35pt;"><span style="font-family:Arial; font-size:12px; ">Educational Services</span></td> </tr> <tr> <td width="293" style="width:3.05in;"><span style="font-family:Arial; font-size:12px; ">Plastic materials &amp; resins</span></td> <td width="215" style="width:161.35pt;"><span style="font-family:Arial; font-size:12px; ">Biotechnology</span></td> </tr> <tr> <td width="293" style="width:3.05in;"><span style="font-family:Arial; font-size:12px; ">Oil &amp; gas Eqpt.</span></td> <td width="215" style="width:161.35pt;"><span style="font-family:Arial; font-size:12px; ">And more!</span></td> </tr> </table> </div> </td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" style="padding-left:5.4pt; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-top:0in; padding-bottom:0in" colspan="2"> <p align="center">..................................................................................................................................................</p> </td> </tr> </table> <table border="0" width="100%"> <tr> <td valign="top"> <strong><span style="font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Arial;color:red">Register Now!</span></strong><br /><br /> <div align="center"> <table height="200" border="0" width="100" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"> <tr> <td valign="bottom" align="right"><span style="font-size:12px; "><strong><span style="font-family: Arial">Name:</span></strong></span> </td> <td valign="bottom">&nbsp;__________________________</td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="bottom" align="right"><span style="font-size:12px; "><strong><span style="font-family: Arial">Title:</span></strong></span> </td> <td valign="bottom">&nbsp;__________________________</td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="bottom" align="right"><span style="font-size:12px; "><strong><span style="font-family: Arial">Company:</span></strong></span> </td> <td valign="bottom">&nbsp;__________________________</td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="bottom" align="right"><span style="font-size:12px; "><strong><span style="font-family: Arial">Tel:</span></strong></span> </td> <td valign="bottom">&nbsp;__________________________</td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="bottom" align="right"> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12px; "><strong><span style="font-family: Arial">Fax:</span></strong></span></p> </td> <td valign="bottom">&nbsp;__________________________</td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="bottom" align="right"><span style="font-size:12px; "><strong><span style="font-family: Arial">Email:</span></strong></span> </td> <td valign="bottom">&nbsp;__________________________</td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="bottom" align="right"><span style="font-size:12px; "><strong><span style="font-family: Arial">Website:</span></strong></span> </td> <td valign="bottom">__________________________</td> </tr> </table> </div> </td> <td valign="bottom" width="274" style="padding-left: 5.4pt; padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-top: 0in; padding-bottom: 0in"> <p class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style="font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Arial">Please complete this form and mail with a check payable to the:</span></strong></p> <h6 align="center"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial">&ldquo;Florida District Export Council&rdquo;<br /><br /></span><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;font-family:Arial"><span style="font-weight: 400">c/o Tampa Bay Export Assistance Center</span><span style="layout-grid-mode: line"><span style="font-weight: 400">14010 Roosevelt Blvd.,<br />Suite 704</span><br /></span></span><strong><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;layout-grid-mode: line"> Clearwater</span> <span style="font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Arial;layout-grid-mode:line">, FL 33762<br /></span><span style="font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Arial;color:red">SPACE IS LIMITED!!!</span><span style="font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Arial">&nbsp;<br /></span></strong><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial">Phone: 727-893-3738 - Fax: 727-893-3839<br /></span><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;font-family:Arial">Email: <a href="mailto:George.Martinez@mail.doc.gov" style="color: blue; text-decoration: underline; text-underline: single">George.Martinez@mail.doc.gov</a></span></h6> </td> </tr> </table> <p>&nbsp;</p> http://www.ebm.com.my/Malaysia_Mission_Market_Briefing___In_Tampa.html 2010-03-09T23:13:03Z

A Country Briefing and Business Mission Introduction on October 25, 2004

<p style="text-align: center; text-autospace: none" class="MsoNormal" align="center"><strong><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: Arial Narrow; color: navy">A Country Briefing and Business Mission Introduction on October 25, 2004<br /></span></strong><em><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; font-family: Helvetica-Oblique; color: black"> (Mission Date is February 25 &ndash; March 6, 2005 led by Congressman E. Clay Shaw)</span></em></p> <p style="text-align: center; text-autospace: none" class="MsoNormal" align="center"><strong><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: Arial; color: black">SPEAKERS:</span></strong></p> <p style="text-align: center; text-autospace: none" class="MsoNormal" align="center"><strong><em><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; font-family: Arial; color: black">Philip Ouzts</span></em></strong><em><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; font-family: Arial; color: black">, Manager,</span></em> <span style="font-size: 10.0pt; font-family: Arial; color: black">U.S. Department of Commerce-Orlando<br /></span><strong><em><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; font-family: Arial; color: black">Jerry Striplin</span></em></strong><em><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; font-family: Arial; color: black">, V.P. Partnerships,</span></em> <span style="font-size: 10.0pt; font-family: Arial; color: black">Fiserv<br /></span><strong><em><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; font-family: Arial; color: black">Gary Haberland</span></em></strong><em><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; font-family: Arial; color: black">, CEO,</span></em> <span style="font-size: 10.0pt; font-family: Arial; color: black">Genicon<br /></span><strong><em><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; font-family: Arial; color: black">Bernhard Schutte<span style="font-weight: normal">,</span> <span style="font-weight: normal; font-style: normal">Florida District Export Council</span></span></em></strong></p> <p style="text-align: center; text-autospace: none" class="MsoNormal" align="center"><span style="font-family:Arial; font-size:12px; "><strong><span style="font-family: Helvetica-Bold; color: black">SPECIAL GUEST OF HONOR IN ATTENDANCE:<br /></span></strong></span><span style="font-family: Arial; color: black"><span style="font-size:12px; ">Doug Baker, Deputy Assistant Secretary, U.S. Department of Commerce-Washington, D.C.</span></span></p> <ul style="margin-top: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in" type="disc"> <li style="color: black; text-autospace: none" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; font-family: Arial">Trade between the U.S. &amp; Malaysia totaled U.S. $10.9 billion in 2003</span></li> <li style="color: black; text-autospace: none" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; font-family: Arial">Malaysia is a unique multilingual &amp; multicultural nation, with influence from China, India, Western Europe, Polynesia, and the Arab World</span></li> <li style="color: black; text-autospace: none" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; font-family: Arial">Malaysia's current account remains fully convertible; thus importers and exporters have sufficient access to foreign exchange to carry out their business</span></li> <li style="color: black; text-autospace: none" class="MsoNormal"> <span style="font-size: 10.0pt; font-family: Arial">Best Trade Mission prospects:</span> <table border="0" style="border-width: 0; margin-left: 6.75pt; margin-right: 6.75pt" class="MsoTableGrid" cellpadding="0" id="table6"> <!-- MSTableType="layout" --> <tr> <td valign="top" width="276" style="width: 207.0pt; padding-left: 5.4pt; padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-top: 0in; padding-bottom: 0in"> <ul style="margin-top: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in" type="disc"> <li style="color: black" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; font-family: Arial">Information &amp; communication Eqpt.</span></li> </ul> </td> <td valign="top" width="192" style="width: 2.0in; padding-left: 5.4pt; padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-top: 0in; padding-bottom: 0in"> <ul style="margin-top: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in" type="disc"> <li style="color: black" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; font-family: Arial">Franchising</span></li> </ul> </td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="276" style="width: 207.0pt; padding-left: 5.4pt; padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-top: 0in; padding-bottom: 0in"> <ul style="margin-top: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in" type="disc"> <li style="color: black" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; font-family: Arial">Environmental products &amp; services</span></li> </ul> </td> <td valign="top" width="192" style="width: 2.0in; padding-left: 5.4pt; padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-top: 0in; padding-bottom: 0in"> <ul style="margin-top: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in" type="disc"> <li style="color: black" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; font-family: Arial">Tourism</span></li> </ul> </td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="276" style="width: 207.0pt; padding-left: 5.4pt; padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-top: 0in; padding-bottom: 0in"> <ul style="margin-top: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in" type="disc"> <li style="color: black" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; font-family: Arial">Medical devices &amp; hospital Eqpt</span></li> </ul> </td> <td valign="top" width="192" style="width: 2.0in; padding-left: 5.4pt; padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-top: 0in; padding-bottom: 0in"> <ul style="margin-top: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in" type="disc"> <li style="color: black" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; font-family: Arial">Educational Services</span></li> </ul> </td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="276" style="width: 207.0pt; padding-left: 5.4pt; padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-top: 0in; padding-bottom: 0in"> <ul style="margin-top: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in" type="disc"> <li style="color: black" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; font-family: Arial">Plastic materials &amp; resins</span></li> </ul> </td> <td valign="top" width="192" style="width: 2.0in; padding-left: 5.4pt; padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-top: 0in; padding-bottom: 0in"> <ul style="margin-top: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in" type="disc"> <li style="color: black" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; font-family: Arial">Biotechnology</span></li> </ul> </td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="276" style="width: 207.0pt; padding-left: 5.4pt; padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-top: 0in; padding-bottom: 0in"> <ul style="margin-top: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in" type="disc"> <li style="color: black" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; font-family: Arial">Oil &amp; gas Eqpt.</span></li> </ul> </td> <td valign="top" width="192" style="width: 2.0in; padding-left: 5.4pt; padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-top: 0in; padding-bottom: 0in"> <ul style="margin-top: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in" type="disc"> <li style="color: black" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; font-family: Arial">And more!</span></li> </ul> </td> </tr> </table> </li> </ul> <p style="text-align: center; text-autospace: none" class="MsoNormal" align="center"><strong><em><span style="font-family: Arial; color: red">MARK YOUR CALENDAR &amp; RSVP<br /></span></em><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: Arial; color: black">MONDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2004<br /></span><span style="font-size:12px; "><span style="font-family: Arial; color: black"><br /></span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px"> 2:30 p.m. Registration</span></strong><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px">&nbsp; &bull;</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px"> <strong><span style="color: black">3:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. Presentation</span></strong> <span style="color: black">(Refreshments &amp; Snacks)<br />(Cancellation Policy: We must receive 48 hours notice of cancellation before date of event)<br /></span><strong><em><span style="color: black"> LOCATION:</span></em></strong> <span style="color: black">SunTrust Bankers Club, 200 S. Orange Ave., Park Bldg., 3</span><span style="color: black">rd</span> <span style="color: black">Floor, Orlando, FL 32801<br /></span><strong><span style="color: red"> COST: (Cash or Check Only)</span></strong> <span style="color: red">$5 World Trade Center Members &bull; $10 Non-Members</span></span><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; font-family: Arial; color: red"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Futura Bk BT">&hellip;&hellip;&hellip;&hellip;&hellip;&hellip;&hellip;&hellip;&hellip;&hellip;&hellip;&hellip;&hellip;&hellip;&hellip;&hellip;&hellip;&hellip;&hellip;&hellip;&hellip;&hellip;&hellip;&hellip;&hellip;&hellip;&hellip;&hellip;&hellip;&hellip;&hellip;&hellip;&hellip;</span></p> <p style="text-align: center; text-autospace: none" class="MsoNormal" align="center"><strong><em><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; font-family: Arial; color: black">Please complete the registration form below and return it to:<br />World</span> <span style="font-size: 10.0pt; font-family: Arial; color: black">Trade Center Orlando before Friday, October 22</span></em></strong></p> <div align="center"> <table border="0" style="border-width: 0" class="MsoTableGrid" cellpadding="0" id="table2"> <tr style="height: .3in"> <td valign="bottom" width="97" style="width: 72.9pt; height: .3in; padding-left: 5.4pt; padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-top: 0in; padding-bottom: 0in"> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px">Name:&nbsp;</span></p> </td> <td valign="bottom" width="195" style="width: 146.45pt; height: .3in; padding-left: 5.4pt; padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-top: 0in; padding-bottom: 0in"> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px">__________________</span></p> </td> <td valign="bottom" width="98" style="width: 73.25pt; height: .3in; padding-left: 5.4pt; padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-top: 0in; padding-bottom: 0in"> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px">Title:</span></p> </td> <td valign="bottom" width="159" style="width: 119.6pt; height: .3in; padding-left: 5.4pt; padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-top: 0in; padding-bottom: 0in"> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px">__________________</span></p> </td> </tr> <tr style="height: .3in"> <td valign="bottom" width="97" style="width: 72.9pt; height: .3in; padding-left: 5.4pt; padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-top: 0in; padding-bottom: 0in"> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px">Company:&nbsp;</span></p> </td> <td valign="bottom" width="195" style="width: 146.45pt; height: .3in; padding-left: 5.4pt; padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-top: 0in; padding-bottom: 0in"> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px">__________________</span></p> </td> <td valign="bottom" width="98" style="width: 73.25pt; height: .3in; padding-left: 5.4pt; padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-top: 0in; padding-bottom: 0in"> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px">Telephone:&nbsp;</span></p> </td> <td valign="bottom" width="159" style="width: 119.6pt; height: .3in; padding-left: 5.4pt; padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-top: 0in; padding-bottom: 0in"> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px">__________________</span></p> </td> </tr> <tr style="height: .3in"> <td valign="bottom" width="97" style="width: 72.9pt; height: .3in; padding-left: 5.4pt; padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-top: 0in; padding-bottom: 0in"> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px">Fax:&nbsp;</span></p> </td> <td valign="bottom" width="195" style="width: 146.45pt; height: .3in; padding-left: 5.4pt; padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-top: 0in; padding-bottom: 0in"> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px">__________________</span></p> </td> <td valign="bottom" width="98" style="width: 73.25pt; height: .3in; padding-left: 5.4pt; padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-top: 0in; padding-bottom: 0in"> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px">E-mail:</span></p> </td> <td valign="bottom" width="159" style="width: 119.6pt; height: .3in; padding-left: 5.4pt; padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-top: 0in; padding-bottom: 0in"> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px">__________________</span></p> </td> </tr> </table> </div> <div style="mso-element: frame; mso-element-frame-hspace: 9.0pt; mso-element-wrap: around; mso-element-anchor-vertical: paragraph; mso-element-anchor-horizontal: margin; mso-element-left: center; mso-element-top: 31.35pt; mso-height-rule: exactly"> <table vspace="0" hspace="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="table3"> <tr> <td valign="top" style="padding-left: 9.0pt; padding-right: 9.0pt; padding-top: 0in; padding-bottom: 0in" align="left"> <p class="MsoBodyText2">&nbsp;</p> </td> </tr> </table> </div> <p style="text-align: center; text-autospace: none" class="MsoNormal" align="center"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; font-family: Helvetica; color: black">200 S. Orange Avenue, Suite 1205, Orlando, FL. 32801 - Telephone: 407-649-1899<br />Fax: 407-649-1486, E-mail: <a href="mailto:info@worldtradecenterorlando.org" style="color: blue; text-decoration: underline; text-underline: single">info@worldtradecenterorlando.org</a><br />Website: <a href="http://www.worldtradecenterorlando.org/" style="color: blue; text-decoration: underline; text-underline: single">www.worldtradecenterorlando.org</a></span></p> <p style="text-align: center; text-autospace: none" class="MsoNormal" align="center"><strong><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; font-family: Arial">Thanks to our Event Sponsors:</span></strong></p> <div align="center"> <table border="0" style="border-width: 0" class="MsoTableGrid" cellpadding="0" id="table5"> <tr style="height: 58.5pt"> <td width="274" style="width: 205.7pt; height: 58.5pt; padding-left: 5.4pt; padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-top: 0in; padding-bottom: 0in"> <p class="MsoTitle"><img height="54" border="0" width="140" alt="" src="http://www.malaysiamission.com/cache/images/33.jpeg" /></p> </td> <td width="274" style="width: 205.75pt; height: 58.5pt; padding-left: 5.4pt; padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-top: 0in; padding-bottom: 0in"> <p class="MsoTitle"><img height="70" border="0" width="125" alt="" src="http://www.malaysiamission.com/cache/images/32.jpeg" /></p> </td> </tr> </table> <p>&nbsp;</p> </div> http://www.ebm.com.my/Malaysia_Mission_Market_Briefing___In_Orlando.html 2010-03-09T23:13:03Z

Exclusive Report in the South Florida Business Journal - Exporters are getting ready for eight days of flying, introductions, negotiations, buying, selling and partnering for type-A personalities.

<p><span style=" font-size: 14pt;">On mission, if it's Tuesday, then it must be Penang</span></p> <div class="byline"><span style=" font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;">Ed Duggan</span></div> <div class="paragraph"><span style=" font-family: Arial; color: #000000; font-size: 12px;">Exporters are getting ready for eight days of flying, introductions, negotiations, buying, selling and partnering for type-A personalities.</span> <p><span style=" font-family: Arial; color: #000000; font-size: 12px;">Bernhard Schutte, already a globetrotter for his business, is leading a group of up to 40 Florida businessmen and women on a working trip to Malaysia, Feb. 25-March 6.</span></p> <p><span style=" font-family: Arial; color: #000000; font-size: 12px;">More than 15 have already signed up with a sampling including The Florida Space Authority, Pompano Beach-based Alpine Engineered Products, Naples-based EastWest Aircraft, Fort Lauderdale-based Cubic Corp., Medley-based B/E Aerospace, Orlando-based Fox Croft Trading, and Hollywood-based Lerner and Greenberg.</span></p> <p><span style=" font-family: Arial; color: #000000; font-size: 12px;">Cities to be visited include Kuala Lumpur, Penang and Kulim.</span></p> <p><span style=" font-family: Arial; color: #000000; font-size: 12px;">It's not a typical trade mission, even though it has the multiple sponsorship of the Florida District Export Council, Enterprise Florida and the U.S. Commercial Service, a creature of the U.S. Commerce Department.</span></p> <p><span style=" font-family: Arial; color: #000000; font-size: 12px;">It's different because Schutte is a salesman, a dealmaker and head of Fort Lauderdale-based Digital Media Network - his own international technology company - and he knows Malaysia like the back of his American Express Platinum Card.</span></p> <p><span style=" font-family: Arial; color: #000000; font-size: 12px;">He's hosted a Malaysian trade delegation to the United States and been doing business there for four years. The South African-born businessman knows what win-win means in any language.</span></p> <p><span style=" font-family: Arial; color: #000000; font-size: 12px;">"Malaysia has a vibrant economy, an impressive infrastructure in its major cities and a government that is pro-business," Schutte said. "It's also the most efficient back-door entrance to do business in China, the rest of Asia and the Middle East."</span></p> <p><span style=" font-family: Arial; color: #000000; font-size: 12px;">Malaysia is made up of two major landmasses separated by the South China Sea. Nearby countries include the Philippines, Vietnam, Cambodia and China.</span></p> <p><span style=" font-family: Arial; color: #000000; font-size: 12px;">Half the population is Muslim and the nation has close ties to other Muslim countries and easy access to their rich markets, according to The World Factbook, a CIA publication. Nearly one-third of the population is Chinese with direct ties to the mainland and its myriad businesses groups and exploding economy.</span></p> <p><span style=" font-family: Arial; color: #000000; font-size: 12px;">"IBM was in China for 17 years before it made a dime," Schutte said. "I've helped businesses open in China via Malaysia and they were profitable during the first year."</span></p> <p><span style=" font-family: Arial; color: #000000; font-size: 12px;">From Florida to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia's capital is more than an arduous 24-hour trip. Why bother?</span></p> <p><span style=" font-family: Arial; color: #000000; font-size: 12px;">"Every business wants to get an edge on the competition - and sometimes it needs to go to extraordinary lengths," Schutte said. "Because the trip is difficult, not many do it. There are rich rewards for those who can accomplish the difficult."</span></p> </div> <p><span style=" font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;"><em>E-mail staff writer Ed Duggan at eduggan (at) bizjournals.com.</em></span></p> http://www.ebm.com.my/Exclusive_Report_in_the_South_Florida_Business_Jou.html 2010-03-09T23:13:03Z

Please join Congressman Clay Shaw*, Honorary Chairman to the Florida District Export Council’s Trade Mission to Malaysia on October 21, 2004 for a commercial briefing on opportunities in the dynamic Southeast Asian marketplace and information on the upcom

<p align="center"><span style="font-family:Arial; font-size:12px; "><span style="font-family:Arial; font-size:12px; "><strong>Opportunity Malaysia 2005 Market Briefing<br /></strong>Thursday, October 21, 2004<br />Live Oak Pavilion, Florida Atlantic University - Boca Raton, FL</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-family:Arial; font-size:12px; ">In today&rsquo;s market of consolidating competition in an arena of global scope, finding new opportunity is akin to survival. In a world of fleeting opportunity and great risk for the indecisive, the markets of Southeast Asia represent the future, and one dynamic country is at its epicenter:</span></p> <p align="center"><span style="font-size:14px"><strong><span style="font-family: Arial">Malaysia</span></strong></span></p> <p><span style="font-family:Arial; font-size:12px; "><span style="font-family:Arial; font-size:12px; ">Please join Congressman Clay Shaw*, Honorary Chairman to the Florida District Export Council&rsquo;s Trade Mission to Malaysia on October 21, 2004 for a commercial briefing on opportunities in the dynamic Southeast Asian marketplace and information on the upcoming mission to Malaysia.<br /><br />For additional information of the upcoming trade mission to Malaysia, please visit</span> <span style="font-family:Arial; font-size:12px; color:#000080;"><a href="http://www.malaysiamission.com">www.malaysiamission.com</a></span><span style="font-family:Arial; font-size:12px; ">.<br /><br />Best prospect industries for the Malaysian market are: Healthcare, franchising, waste &amp; wastewater treatment, oil &amp; gas equipment, municipal &amp; solid waste, biotechnology, information &amp; communication technologies, tourism, colleges &amp; universities, and plastics materials &amp; resins.</span></span></p> &nbsp; <table border="0" width="100%" cellspacing="5" id="table14"> <tr> <td valign="top" align="right"><strong><span style="font-family:Arial; font-size:12px; ">Topic:</span></strong></td> <td valign="top"><span style="font-family:Arial; font-size:12px; ">Commercial Briefing on Opportunities in Malaysia</span></td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" align="right"><strong><span style="font-family:Arial; font-size:12px; ">Date:</span></strong></td> <td valign="top"><span style="font-family:Arial; font-size:12px; ">October 21, 2004<br />Time: 5:30 PM</span></td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" align="right"><strong><span style="font-family:Arial; font-size:12px; ">Place:</span></strong><span style="font-family:Arial; font-size:12px; "><br /><span style="color:#FFFFFF;">__________</span></span></td> <td valign="top"><span style="font-family:Arial; "><span style="font-size:12px; ">Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton Campus<br />777 Glades Road<br />Live Oak Pavilion, University Center<br />Map:</span> <a href="http://www.fau.edu/map/bocamap1.html"><span style="font-size:12px; ">http://www.fau.edu/map/bocamap1.html</span></a></span></td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" align="right"><strong><span style="font-family:Arial; font-size:12px; ">Fee:</span></strong></td> <td valign="top"><span style="font-family:Arial; font-size:12px; ">This event is FREE to all participants</span></td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" align="right"><strong><span style="font-family:Arial; font-size:12px; ">RSVP:</span></strong></td> <td valign="top"><span style="font-family:Arial; "><span style="font-size:12px; ">To attend, please contact Stephanie Heckel at the U.S. Export Assistance Center at 954-356-6640 or</span> <a href="mailto:info@malaysiamission.com"><span style="font-size:12px; ">info@malaysiamission.com</span></a></span></td> </tr> </table> <p><span style="font-family:Arial; font-size:12px; "><span style="font-family:Arial; font-size:10px; ">We would like to thank our co-sponsors: The Florida Foreign Trade Association, Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce, Greater Fort Lauderdale Chamber of Commerce, Enterprise Florida, The International Business Council, The Broward County Office of Economic Development, and The World Trade Center Palm Beach.<br /><br />*Congressman Clay Shaw is expected to attend pending his need to be in D.C. In the event that he cannot attend, a member of his local staff will represent him.</span></span></p> <p align="center"><strong><span style="font-family:Arial; ">Agenda:</span></strong></p> <table border="0" width="100%" cellspacing="3" cellpadding="0" id="table15"> <tr> <td valign="top"><span style="font-family:Arial; font-size:12px; ">5:30 P.M<br /><span style="color:#FFFFFF;">__________</span></span></td> <td valign="top"><span style="font-family:Arial; font-size:12px; ">Welcome and Introductions<br />Al Zucaro, WorldTradeCenterPalm Beach<br />&nbsp;</span></td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top"><span style="font-family:Arial; font-size:12px; ">5:33 P.M.</span></td> <td valign="top"><span style="font-family:Arial; font-size:12px; ">Welcome to FloridaAtlanticUniversity<br />Professor Mantha Mehallis, FloridaAtlanticUniversity<br />&nbsp;</span></td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top"><span style="font-family:Arial; font-size:12px; ">5:37 P.M.</span></td> <td valign="top"><span style="font-family:Arial; font-size:12px; ">Introduction to OpportunityMalaysia 2005<br />Introduction to Opportunity Malaysia 2005<br />John Bauer, President of BasicFood International to introduce Congressman Clay Shaw. Honorary Chairman to the Florida District Export Council's Trade Mission to Malaysia<br />&nbsp;</span></td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top"><span style="font-family:Arial; font-size:12px; ">5:50 P.M.</span></td> <td valign="top"><span style="font-family:Arial; font-size:12px; ">Market Highlights<br />Kathryn Dye, U.S.Commercial Service<br />&nbsp;</span></td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top"><span style="font-family:Arial; font-size:12px; ">6:10 P.M.</span></td> <td valign="top"><span style="font-family:Arial; font-size:12px; ">Business Climate<br />Phang Ah Tong, MIDA<br />Prakas Nair, Matrade<br />&nbsp;</span></td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top"><span style="font-family:Arial; font-size:12px; ">6:20 P.M.</span></td> <td valign="top"><span style="font-family:Arial; font-size:12px; ">EnterpriseFlorida<br />John Diep, EnterpriseFlorida<br />&nbsp;</span></td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top"><span style="font-family:Arial; font-size:12px; ">6:30 P.M.</span></td> <td valign="top"><span style="font-family:Arial; font-size:12px; ">A View from the Ground<br />&nbsp;</span></td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top"><span style="font-family:Arial; font-size:12px; ">6:40 P.M.</span></td> <td valign="top"><span style="font-family:Arial; font-size:12px; ">Malaysia's Importance to Florida Firms<br />Bernhard Schutte, DMNI and Member of the Florida District&nbsp;Export Council<br />&nbsp;</span></td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top"><span style="font-family:Arial; font-size:12px; ">7:00 P.M.</span></td> <td valign="top"><span style="font-family:Arial; font-size:12px; ">Adjourn<br />&nbsp;</span></td> </tr> </table> <table border="0" width="100%" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="table16"> <tr> <td align="center" colspan="2"><span style="font-family:Arial; font-size:12px; ">&nbsp;<strong>Market Briefing - Event Sponsors:</strong></span></td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center"><span style="font-family:Arial; font-size:12px; "><img height="45" width="228" alt="" src="http://www.tellall.com/data/profiles/78/eletter/body_images/zfnqclww36255.gif" /></span></td> <td align="center"><span style="font-family:Arial; font-size:12px; "><img height="75" width="106" alt="" src="http://www.tellall.com/data/profiles/78/eletter/body_images/psrwuofw36256.jpg" /></span></td> </tr> </table> <p>&nbsp;</p> http://www.ebm.com.my/Malaysia_Mission_Market_Briefing___In_Boca_Raton.html 2010-03-09T23:13:03Z

The Florida Space Authority hosted a planning meeting of the Florida District Export Council (DEC) to discuss the upcoming Opportunity Malaysia 2005 trade mission to occur in February 25 - March 5, 2005.

<p><span style=" font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">The Florida Space Authority hosted a planning meeting of the Florida District Export Council (DEC) to discuss the upcoming Opportunity Malaysia 2005 trade mission to occur in February 25 - March 5, 2005.</span><span style=" font-size: 10pt;"></span></p> <p><span style=" font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">The authority, whose mission is to provide economic development for the state through space-related business and educational activities, is an early candidate for participation in the delegation that will showcase Florida's technology and leadership in a half dozen key sectors identified by the US Commercial Service as having greatest potential for sales to Malaysia.</span><span style=" font-size: 10pt;"></span></p> <p><span style=" font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">Joining the meeting were state and local economic development leaders who are working with the DEC to identify Florida companies who are leaders in their field in the interest of recruiting them to what mission planners intend to be a high quality, high impact delegation conducive to establishing long term links with this key country in the crossroads of southeast Asian trade.<br /> </span><span style=" font-size: 10pt;"></span></p> <p><span style=" font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">Florida's chief for economic development, Darrell Kelley, CEO of Enterprise Florida, hailed plans for the mission as a vital opportunity to expand upon Florida's efforts to broaden its export base which has been traditionally linked to Latin America and the Caribbean.</span><span style=" font-size: 10pt;"></span></p> <p><span style=" font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">Others expressing enthusiasm at the space port meeting were Michael Corbit, executive director of Internet Coast, Chris Pollock of the Greater Ft. Lauderdale Chamber of Commerce and J. T. Tarlton who heads the Broward Alliance.</span><span style=" font-size: 10pt;"></span></p> <p><span style=" font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">John McCartney, Florida Director for the US Commercial Service, the export promotion arm of the US Department of Commerce, outlined the steps that his team and his counterparts at the US Embassy in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia were taking to set the stage for mission recruitment and execution. Also on hand was Bernhard Schutte, a DEC associate, whose advance trips to the country resulted in high level interest on the part of the Malaysian government and a high degree of support being established to ensure a successful mission.</span><span style=" font-size: 10pt;"></span></p> <p><span style=" font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">For more information on the trade mission, contact the DEC at 954-356-6640 or visit <a href="http://www.malaysiamission.com" target="_blank">malaysianmission.com</a></span><span style=" font-size: 10pt;"></span></p> <p><span style=" font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">Written by: John McCartney US Dep. Of Commerce<br /> Published by</span> <span style=" font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;" class="FOOT">City of Coconut Creek, Florida</span><span style=" font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"> <a href="http://www.creekgov.net/archives/000380.asp">http://www.creekgov.net/archives/000380.asp</a></span></p> http://www.ebm.com.my/Malaysia_Trade_Mission.html 2010-03-09T23:13:03Z

When international business consultant Bernhard Schutte made his first trip to Malaysia three years ago, he was amazed to find the Southeast Asian nation far more modern, wealthy, pro-American, multi-ethnic and open to foreign investment than he'd imagine

<div class="newsBody"> <div id="text"> <p><span style=" font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">When international business consultant Bernhard Schutte made his first trip to Malaysia three years ago, he was amazed to find the Southeast Asian nation far more modern, wealthy, pro-American, multi-ethnic and open to foreign investment than he'd imagined.<br /> <br /> A monorail whizzed him around the capital city of Kuala Lumpur, past what was then the world's tallest office buildings, the Petronas Towers. Railways with clean cars and new highways easily linked him to other cities. And Schutte found English widely spoken in the ex-British colony, where British-style schooling is free through university level and U.S. companies are the top investors.<br /> <br /> "I was astonished to find better infrastructure than South Florida," said the chief executive of Fort Lauderdale-based Digital Media Network Inc.<br /> <br /> Schutte gave talks during that visit to Malaysian executives and officials on opportunities for business in South Florida, invited by Malaysia's trade agency.<br /> <br /> But back in Broward County, he realized the opportunities were as great -- if not greater -- for business in the opposite direction, from Florida to Malaysia.<br /> <br /> After all, the tropical nation of 25 million people had transformed its economy since the 1970s from mainly exporting raw materials, such as rubber, to supplying electronics worldwide, especially computer chips. Already middle-income, it is still climbing the economic ladder, focusing most recently like South Florida on biotechnology.<br /> <br /> Furthermore, with one of four Malaysians of Chinese descent, the fast-growing nation offered a solid platform into booming China, he realized.<br /> <br /> In February, after more than a year of planning, Schutte will take one of the largest U.S. business delegations to Malaysia. He hopes to accompany about 40 people from 15 companies and from federal, state and county groups. Rep. Clay Shaw, R-Fort Lauderdale, an advocate for U.S. exports, is helping promote the weeklong trip and also may join.<br /> <br /> The group's aim: To sell more U.S. goods and services in Malaysia, find new suppliers there and explore partnerships to invest in Malaysia or Florida.<br /> <br /> Best prospects for U.S. exports include such sectors as energy, health care, aviation, environment, telecom, franchising and education, organizers said.<br /> <br /> Already signed up for the trip are executives from the Florida Space Authority, an economic development group based at Cape Canaveral, representing the state's aerospace industry; plus Alpine Engineered Products Inc. of Pompano Beach, which sells software and services for the building industry.<br /> <br /> "With its substantial economic growth and access to other Asian countries, Malaysia offers an ideal opportunity," said Alpine chief executive Chris A. Cronje.<br /> <br /> Fort Lauderdale-based food trader John P. Bauer, president of Basic Food International Inc., also plans to travel, aiming to find new sources of seafood, especially shrimp. With Washington slapping extra duties on shrimp from China and other key suppliers amid trade disputes, he wants to diversify his supplier network.<br /> <br /> The trip comes as Malaysia's economy has rebounded from the Asian financial crisis of 1997, posting economic growth of 4 percent in 2002 and nearly 5 percent last year. The economy sprinted at a 7.2 percent pace in the first half, thanks in part to buoyancy in China and other Asian markets.<br /> <br /> Malaysia's political leadership is boosting business confidence, too. Soft-spoken Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi last year replaced Mahathir Mohamad, who served 22 years at the country's helm and was known for sometimes lashing out at U.S. policy.<br /> <br /> Mahathir had made headlines in 1998 by rejecting some International Monetary Fund recommendations and imposing some controls on capital. But with Malaysia's strong recovery, the government ended the most controversial control in 2001 -- a 10 percent exit tax when foreign investors cashed out from stocks and bonds and took that money out of the country.<br /> <br /> Indeed, Washington's relations with Malaysia have been warming since the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks on the United States. U.S. officials cite "excellent cooperation" with the mostly Muslim and secular nation in the war on terror. Mahathir visited President Bush in 2002 and Abdullah visited this summer, pledging further support.<br /> <br /> "Abdullah's visit to Washington in July has people taking a fresh look at Malaysia," said Marc Mealy, senior director for the U.S.-Malaysia Business Council in Washington, D.C. "And what they see is lots of new investment coming in, political stability and a good business environment."<br /> <br /> Schutte is organizing the Florida trip to Malaysia set for Feb. 25 to March 6 with help from the U.S. Department of Commerce, Florida District Export Council, the Broward Alliance and other groups. Malaysia Airlines, which operates a regional office in Fort Lauderdale, will provide discounts on flights between Los Angeles and Kuala Lumpur.<br /> <br /> Doreen Hemlock can be reached at 305-810-5009.</span><span style=" font-size: 10pt;"></span></p> <p><strong><span style=" font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">Source: <a href="http://www.internetcoast.com/index.php?src=news&#38;prid=3200&#38;category=InternetCoast+News&#38;PHPSESSID=006da8f506747dabbf0184a62297cf38">InternetCoast</a></span></strong><span style=" font-size: 10pt;"></span></p> </div> </div> http://www.ebm.com.my/InternetCoast_News___Broward_delegation_to_seek_op.html 2010-03-09T23:13:03Z

When international business consultant Bernhard Schutte made his first trip to Malaysia three years ago, he was amazed to find the Southeast Asian nation far more modern, wealthy, pro-American, multi-ethnic and open to foreign investment than he'd imagined.

<p><strong><span font-family:="" style=" font-size: 10pt;">Broward delegation to seek opportunities in Malaysia</span></strong><span style=" font-size: 10pt;"></span></p> <p><span font-size:="" font-family:="" style=" font-size: 10pt;">By Doreen Hemlock<br /> Business Writer<br /> <br /> August 31, 2004<br /> <br /> When international business consultant Bernhard Schutte made his first trip to Malaysia three years ago, he was amazed to find the Southeast Asian nation far more modern, wealthy, pro-American, multi-ethnic and open to foreign investment than he'd imagined.<br /> <br /> A monorail whizzed him around the capital city of Kuala Lumpur, past what was then the world's tallest office buildings, the Petronas Towers. Railways with clean cars and new highways easily linked him to other cities. And Schutte found English widely spoken in the ex-British colony, where British-style schooling is free through university level and U.S. companies are the top investors.<br /> <br /> "I was astonished to find better infrastructure than South Florida," said the chief executive of Fort Lauderdale-based Digital Media Network Inc.<br /> <br /> Schutte gave talks during that visit to Malaysian executives and officials on opportunities for business in South Florida, invited by Malaysia's trade agency.<br /> <br /> But back in Broward County, he realized the opportunities were as great -- if not greater -- for business in the opposite direction, from Florida to Malaysia.<br /> <br /> After all, the tropical nation of 25 million people had transformed its economy since the 1970s from mainly exporting raw materials, such as rubber, to supplying electronics worldwide, especially computer chips. Already middle-income, it is still climbing the economic ladder, focusing most recently like South Florida on biotechnology.<br /> <br /> Furthermore, with one of four Malaysians of Chinese descent, the fast-growing nation offered a solid platform into booming China, he realized.<br /> <br /> In February, after more than a year of planning, Schutte will take one of the largest U.S. business delegations to Malaysia. He hopes to accompany about 40 people from 15 companies and from federal, state and county groups. Rep. Clay Shaw, R-Fort Lauderdale, an advocate for U.S. exports, is helping promote the weeklong trip and also may join.<br /> <br /> The group's aim: To sell more U.S. goods and services in Malaysia, find new suppliers there and explore partnerships to invest in Malaysia or Florida.<br /> <br /> Best prospects for U.S. exports include such sectors as energy, health care, aviation, environment, telecom, franchising and education, organizers said.<br /> <br /> Already signed up for the trip are executives from the Florida Space Authority, an economic development group based at Cape Canaveral, representing the state's aerospace industry; plus Alpine Engineered Products Inc. of Pompano Beach, which sells software and services for the building industry.<br /> <br /> "With its substantial economic growth and access to other Asian countries, Malaysia offers an ideal opportunity," said Alpine chief executive Chris A. Cronje.<br /> <br /> Fort Lauderdale-based food trader John P. Bauer, president of Basic Food International Inc., also plans to travel, aiming to find new sources of seafood, especially shrimp. With Washington slapping extra duties on shrimp from China and other key suppliers amid trade disputes, he wants to diversify his supplier network.<br /> <br /> The trip comes as Malaysia's economy has rebounded from the Asian financial crisis of 1997, posting economic growth of 4 percent in 2002 and nearly 5 percent last year. The economy sprinted at a 7.2 percent pace in the first half, thanks in part to buoyancy in China and other Asian markets.<br /> <br /> Malaysia's political leadership is boosting business confidence, too. Soft-spoken Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi last year replaced Mahathir Mohamad, who served 22 years at the country's helm and was known for sometimes lashing out at U.S. policy.<br /> <br /> Mahathir had made headlines in 1998 by rejecting some International Monetary Fund recommendations and imposing some controls on capital. But with Malaysia's strong recovery, the government ended the most controversial control in 2001 -- a 10 percent exit tax when foreign investors cashed out from stocks and bonds and took that money out of the country.<br /> <br /> Indeed, Washington's relations with Malaysia have been warming since the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks on the United States. U.S. officials cite "excellent cooperation" with the mostly Muslim and secular nation in the war on terror. Mahathir visited President Bush in 2002 and Abdullah visited this summer, pledging further support.<br /> <br /> "Abdullah's visit to Washington in July has people taking a fresh look at Malaysia," said Marc Mealy, senior director for the U.S.-Malaysia Business Council in Washington, D.C. "And what they see is lots of new investment coming in, political stability and a good business environment."<br /> <br /> Schutte is organizing the Florida trip to Malaysia set for Feb. 25 to March 6 with help from the U.S. Department of Commerce, Florida District Export Council, the Broward Alliance and other groups. Malaysia Airlines, which operates a regional office in Fort Lauderdale, will provide discounts on flights between Los Angeles and Kuala Lumpur.<br /> <br /> Doreen Hemlock can be reached at 305-810-5009.</span><span style=" font-size: 10pt;"></span></p> <p><span style=" font-size: 8pt;"><cite>Copyright © 2004, <a href="">South Florida Sun-Sentinel</a></cite></span></p> http://www.ebm.com.my/Sun_Sentinel_features_Opportunity_Malaysia_2005_on.html 2010-03-09T23:13:03Z

Opportunity Malaysia 2005 had its first Kickoff Event for community organizations on August 24. 2004. The event was held in the Penthouse suite at The Atlantic Hotel in Fort Lauderdale, which is Fort Lauderdale’s newest high class Hotel on A1A. The event brought together community leaders to discuss the February 2005 Mission to Malaysia.

<p><span font-size:="font-size:" font-family:="font-family:" style=" font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;">Opportunity Malaysia 2005 had its first Kickoff Event for community organizations on August 24. 2004. The event was held in the Penthouse suite at The Atlantic Hotel in Fort Lauderdale, which is Fort Lauderdale’s newest high class Hotel on A1A. The event brought together community leaders to discuss the February 2005 Mission to Malaysia.</span></p> <p><span font-size:="font-size:" font-family:="font-family:" style=" font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;">Pictures of the event can be found in our <a href="http://www.ebmamerica.com/photogallery.html"><strong>Photo Gallery.</strong></a></span></p> http://www.ebm.com.my/Opportunity_Malaysia_Kickoff_Event_for_community_o.html 2010-03-09T23:13:03Z

The Florida Space Authority hosted a planning meeting of the Florida District Export Council (DEC) to discuss the upcoming Opportunity Malaysia 2005 trade mission to occur in February 25 - March 5, 2005.

<p align="justify"><span style=" font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"><img height="187" alt="Digital Media Network sponsored the event and transported the team to The Florida Space Authority. From Left to Right; Thomas Bernthaler Co-pilot, Bernhard Schutte, Jim Tarlton, Chris Pollock, Michael Corbit and John McCartney." border="0" align="right" width="270" src="http://www.malaysiamission.com/cache/images/12.jpeg" />The Florida Space Authority hosted a planning meeting of the Florida District Export Council (DEC) to discuss the upcoming Opportunity Malaysia 2005 trade mission to occur in February 25 - March 5, 2005. The authority, whose mission is to provide economic development for the state through space-related business and educational activities, is an early candidate for participation in the delegation that will showcase Florida's technology and leadership in a half dozen key sectors identified by the US Commercial Service as having greatest potential for sales to Malaysia.<br /> <br /> Joining the meeting were state and local economic development leaders who are working with the DEC to identify Florida companies who are leaders in their field in the interest of recruiting them to what mission planners intend to be a high quality, high impact delegation conducive to establishing long term links with this key country in the crossroads of southeast Asian trade. Florida's chief for economic development, Darrell Kelley, CEO of Enterprise Florida, hailed plans for the mission as a vital opportunity to expand upon Florida's efforts to broaden its export base which has been traditionally linked to Latin America and the Caribbean.<br /> <br /> <img height="188" alt="Taken in the control room of The Florida Space Authority. from left to right: Jim Tarlton President of The Broward Alliance, Christopher Pollock President of the Greater Fort Lauderdale Chamber of Commerce, John McCartney, Director of the US Dep. of Commerce, Captain Winston Scott Executive Director of the Florida Space Authority, Bernhard Schutte CEO of Digital Media Network, Thomas Bernthaler, CTO of Digital Media Network and Michael Corbit the Executive Director of The Internet Coast." border="0" align="left" width="270" src="http://www.malaysiamission.com/cache/images/13.jpeg" />Others expressing enthusiasm at the space port meeting were Michael Corbit, executive director of Internet Coast, Chris Pollock of the Greater Ft. Lauderdale Chamber of Commerce and J. T. Tarlton who heads the Broward Alliance. John McCartney, Florida Director for the US Commercial Service, the export promotion arm of the US Department of Commerce, outlined the steps that his team and his counterparts at the US Embassy in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia were taking to set the stage for mission recruitment and execution. Also on hand was Bernhard Schutte, a DEC associate, whose advance trips to the country resulted in high level interest on the part of the Malaysian government and a high degree of support being established to ensure a successful mission.<br /> <br /> For more information on the trade mission, contact the DEC at 954-356-6640 or visit <a href="http://www.malaysiamission.com">http://www.malaysiamission.com</a></span><span style=" font-size: 10pt;"></span></p> <p align="right"><em><span style=" font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">Written by: John McCartney US Dep. Of Commerce</span></em></p> http://www.ebm.com.my/Opportunity_Malaysia_meeting_with_the_Florida_Spac.html 2010-03-09T23:13:03Z

We are holding a Breakfast Debriefing Meeting to inform the public about doing business in the Southeast Asian region.

<p><span style="font-family:Arial; font-size:12px; ">We have just finished the largest trade mission ever to Malaysia. We have discovered that Malaysia is the secret backdoor to penetrate the Southeast Asian markets such as China, India, Indonesia, Thailand and other countries in the region.<br />We are holding a Breakfast Debriefing Meeting to inform the public about doing business in the Southeast Asian region.</span></p> <p><span style="font-family:Arial; font-size:12px; "><strong>This meeting will take place:</strong></span></p> <p align="center"><strong><span style="font-family:Arial; font-size:12px; ">April 14th at 7:30am</span></strong></p> <p align="center"><span style="font-family:Arial; font-size:18px; color:#008000;"><strong>Palm Aire Country Club<br /></strong></span><strong><span style="font-family:Arial; color:#000080;">The Palms Club House<br /></span></strong><span style="font-family:Arial; font-size:12px; ">2600 Palm Aire Drive North<br />Pompano Beach, FL 33069</span></p> <p><strong><span style="font-family:Arial; font-size:12px; ">Flying in from Malaysia on the panel will be:</span></strong></p> <ul> <li><span style="font-family:Arial; font-size:12px; ">His Excellency Mr. William Zarit, Commercial Counselor from the U.S.A. Embassy in Malaysia.</span></li> <li><span style="font-family:Arial; font-size:12px; ">Ms. Boni Chuah the commercial attach&eacute;</span></li> <li><span style="font-family:Arial; font-size:12px; ">Ms. Rosnah Majid, CEO of Malaysia's top consulting firm Electronic Business Management (EBM).</span></li> </ul> <p><strong><span style="font-family:Arial; font-size:12px; ">Also on the panel, will be:</span></strong></p> <ul> <li><span style="font-family:Arial; font-size:12px; ">Mr. Bernhard Schutte, CEO of DMNI a local International Consulting firm</span></li> <li><span style="font-family:Arial; font-size:12px; ">Mr. Phang Ah Tong, Director from MIDA New York.</span></li> </ul> <p><span style="font-family:Arial; font-size:12px; ">This will be a one-time opportunity to speak and ask questions to this high powered panel. Please respond ASAP, there is limited space. Cost: $25.00.<br />Reservations will be based on a first come first serve and can be done by clicking on the RSVP button below.</span></p> <p align="center"><strong><a href="https://www.dmni.com/malaysia/index.html"><span style="font-family:Arial; ">Click Here to RSVP</span></a></strong></p> http://www.ebm.com.my/Public_Breakfast_Debriefing_Meeting_at_April_14th.html 2010-03-09T23:13:03Z