MTSB OPENS MALAYSIAN BUSINESS CENTRE IN UGANDA

The Malaysian Business Centre (U) Ltd (MBC) in Uganda was incorporated in February 2001 and commenced operation on 1st March 2001.

The objective of the MBC is to provide a platform to create greater awareness in Africa of Malaysian manufactured products and services.

In addition, its aim is to market and promote effective business transactions between Malaysian companies and the African market in general, as well as Uganda and the surrounding region in particular.

The principal activities of the Centre include:

1. Direct Business Transactions
Malaysian companies can consign their products directly to MBC with competitive prices, good quality and consistency of delivery.

MBC in Uganda is committed to the following:
* Coordinating business enquiries between buyers and suppliers
* Participating in negotiation and finalisation of deals
* Coordinating delivery and shipment
* Facilitating payment collection
* Implementing the retail marketing strategy, i.e. focusing on creating awareness among the Ugandan community through the mass media i.e. newspaper, radio, television.
* Distributing marketing leaflets and putting up posters at strategic locations
* Conducting market visits to wholesalers and distributors regularly
* Continuous follow up

MBC has secured a strategically located warehouse of approximate 400m2 at the Old Kampala Road. It is 5 minutes to downtown Kampala and has quick access to the wholesale market and the bus and taxi parks.

Since its operations, MBC has also established effective networking with several major supermarket chains in town - 3 Payless Supermarkets, 3 Star Supermarkets, 3 Top Shop Supermarkets, 8 Caltex Star Marts, 15 Shell Select Shops, 2 Quality Supermarkets and over one hundred mini-marts and wholesalers.

MBC has also successfully secured contracts to supply disposable pharmaceutical products to major importers in Uganda. In addition, it has identified strategic partners in Rwanda, Republic of Congo and Tanzania.

2. Products Showcase
MBC offers a showroom facility inclusive of consultancy, attendance to enquiries, telecommunication, promotion, advertisement and distribution of printed materials.

3. Representative Office /Promotion Centre
MBC also functions as a platform and link between the Malaysian business community and Uganda as well as the surrounding regions.

More specifically, its functions will be:
a) To conduct preliminary feasibility study for potential investment projects
b) To conduct market survey of Malaysian made products
c) To act as a liaison office for Malaysian companies who intend to invest/trade or who are in the pre-operation stage of their investment.

For further details, kindly contact: Ms Elaine Kiew
mbc@africaonline.co.ug