TRADE MISSION TO MALAYSIA & INDONESIA
Kuala Lumpur — Jakarta
Business meetings to be scheduled March 2 - 6, 2009
The International Office of the Iowa Department of Economic Development (IDED) will lead a trade mission to Malaysia and Indonesia with business meetings scheduled for
March 2 - 6, 2009. Cities to be visited include Kuala Lumpur and Jakarta. Participating Iowa companies will have on-site meetings with potential end-users, distributors, government regulators and/or collaborative partners.
Sectors: All industry sectors are invited to participate in this mission.
Application Deadline: The deadline for application is January 15, 2009. Read further for more information or contact Kathy Hill at 515.242.4741.
 Malaysia has transformed itself since the 1970s from a producer of raw materials into an emerging multi-sector economy. The current administration has tried to move the economy farther up the value-added production chain by attracting investments in high technology industries, medical technology, and pharmaceuticals.
The National Association of Manufacturers reports that Malaysia is the 10th largest export market for U.S. manufactured goods. Additionally, Malaysia purchases more U.S. exports per capita than European powerhouses Germany and France, as well as Asian giant Japan. Though Malaysia's per capita GDP is only $6,146, its purchasing power is among the highest in Asia, as evidenced by the strong consumer market.
The United States and Malaysia share a diverse and expanding partnership. Economic ties are robust. The United States is Malaysia's largest trading partner and Malaysia is the sixteenth-largest trading partner of the U.S. Annual two-way trade amounts to $44 billion. The United States and Malaysia launched negotiations for a bilateral free trade agreement (FTA) in June 2006. (source: U.S. Department of Commerce)
 Indonesia has a market-based economy in which the government plays a significant role. Reforms have focused on recapitalizing the banking sector, improving oversight of capital markets, and taking steps to stimulate growth and investment, particularly in infrastructure. GDP growth has steadily risen this decade, achieving an estimated 6.2% in 2007. Indonesia was ranked 20th among world oil producers in 2006, and the total import value of oil and gas equipment increased to $485.5 million. Imported US products represented 27 percent of the total import value.
Indonesia is also the world's largest consumer of soybeans for food. Per capita consumption of soybeans, primarily in the form of tofu and tempe, is ten kilograms annually and it will continue growing in line with the population growth. Tempe and tofu manufacturers continue to prefer U.S. soybeans over other suppliers, with U.S. market share at about 81 percent based on quantity.
Additional market background information is available at:
U.S. Country Commercial Guide for Malaysia [www.buyusainfo.net/docs/x_8631291.pdf]
U.S. Country Commercial Guide for Indonesia [www.buyusainfo.net/docs/x_1324139.pdf]
US Department of Commerce Market Research Library [www.buyusainfo.net]
U.S. Department of State Background Notes [www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/]
Sectors: All industry sectors are invited to participate in this mission.
General Mission Itinerary:
Saturday, February 28 - Arrive Malaysia
Sunday, March 1 - Free Day Kuala Lumpur
Monday, March 2 - Business meetings Kuala Lumpur
Tuesday, March 3 - Business meetings Kuala Lumpur
Wednesday, March 4 - Travel to Indonesia
Thursday, March 5 - Business meetings Jakarta
Friday March 6 - Business meetings Jakarta
Friday evening, or Saturday, March - Depart for Iowa/Arrive Iowa
Flight Arrangements: Shorts Travel is the state travel agency for the trade mission (Diana, 800.274.6787 x0849), although you may use the travel agent of your choice. We will provide suggested flights and will have group ground transportation coordinated to meet these specific flights. Participants do travel as a group on any in country flights during the mission. If you fly on an itinerary other than the mission itinerary, we may not be able to accommodate your airport transportation.
You will be responsible for the booking and payment of your airline reservations.
Please contact Kathy Hill before you make your final reservations.
Flight itinerary: [PDF: 73k]
Hotel Accommodations: Hotel rates are being negotiated on the behalf of the group Hotel room costs are based on standard rooms, single occupancy. We request all mission participants be housed at the same location. If you choose not to stay at the "mission hotel," you will be responsible for your own transportation to and from group transportation points. A credit card number will be necessary to guarantee your reservation. You will settle your account directly with the hotel at the time of checkout in each city.
Hotel Accommodations: [PDF: 34k]
 Passport/Visa Requirements:
Malaysia: American citizens are required to have a passport valid for at least six months to enter Malaysia, but Americans do not need to obtain a visa in advance for a pleasure or business trip if their stay in Malaysia is 90 days or less. Immigration officials will then place an entry stamp in their passport. While in Malaysia, Americans should carry their passports with them at all times. For up-to-date information, visit the Chicago Consulate of Malaysia's web site.
Indonesia: The Indonesian government requires a passport valid for at least six months from the date of arrival in Indonesia to enter the country. In addition, American citizens are required to have a visa to enter Indonesia. U.S. citizens may apply for a visa on arrival at the major airports. An onward/return ticket is required to apply for an entry visa at these Indonesian ports of entry. Indonesian visas require an entire passport page.
For up-to-date visa information, visit the Consulate of Indonesia's Web site [www.indonesiachicago.org/consvisreg.htm] for the most current visa information.
Visa Service Companies:
Perry International [www.perryvisa.com/]
American Passport [www.americanpassport.com]
General Travel Information: The following Web sites provide links to international travel and health information. Please read through this information carefully.
Travel Insurance and Travel Health Insurance: U.S. medical insurance plans often do not provide coverage for health costs when traveling abroad, let alone allow for emergency expenses such as medical evacuation. Many companies offer supplemental policies. Resources for international medical emergency services, health insurance and health information is available upon request.
www.hthtravelinsurance.com/
www.travelinsured.com/
www.worldwidemedical.com/
www.insuremytrip.com/index-1000-0-13049-0.html
EXPORT TRADE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
Export Trade Assistance Program (ETAP Funding): ETAP funds may be available on a first-come, fist-served basis to qualified business applicants for the trade mission. ETAP will reimburse 75% of an eligible company's direct expenses up to $3,000 per pre-approved Trade Mission.
To view eligibility requirements and eligible expenses for reimbursement, click on the ETAP page to your left.
Estimated Mission Expenses: Download the summary of mission costs as well as potential ETAP reimbursement for eligible Iowa companies:
The deadline for submitting all application information is January 15, 2009, although the sooner the items are received, the sooner the necessary research can begin. Applications should be detailed and specific. Include previous contacts to be contacted, and also those not to be contacted. Provide a profile of good candidates if possible.
- Mission Application [MS Word: 205k] [PDF: 1MB]
- Participation Fee of $3000 per company
Checks payable to IDED Foundation. Invoice available upon request
- ETAP Application Form, if eligible [MS Word: 63k] [PDF: 1MB]
- Traveler Information Sheet [MS Word: 32k] [PDF: 16k]
- Brief (2-3 paragraph) company/product description for use in a promotional brochure
- Electronic version of relevant marketing materials, or 20 sets of printed materials.
Submit application materials via e-mail or mail to:
Kathy Hill
Iowa Department of Economic Development
200 East Grand Avenue
Des Moines, IA 50309
Contact Kathy Hill at 515.242.4741 or kathy.hill@iowalifechanging.com for additional information.
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