CEMS makes Malaysian comeback

Established regional organiser CEMS revived its Kuala Lumpur operations in October last year, returning to a market it had quit after almost 30 years of absence.

Country manager Hellen Woon has been appointed to oversee operations in Kuala Lumpur. Speaking to TTGmice e-Weekly, CEMS’ group managing director, Edward Liu, explained CEMS’ decision to regain its position in Malaysia.

“First of all, Malaysia is our closest neighbour and it would be easier for us to manage things out of Singapore. Secondly, we had the experience of operating an office in Kuala Lumpur, during the 1983-1985 period. We ceased operations in Malaysia during the recession at that time. Thirdly, we have an event, Café Malaysia, ready to be launched in Kuala Lumpur,” he said.

Café Malaysia is an example of an event that answers the needs and demands of the Malaysian economy, which forms the mission of CEMS’ Malaysia office.

The exhibition will be held at the MATRADE Exhibition Centre from May 7-9.

“We also organised Glasstech Asia in KLCC two years ago, and the event was highly successful. We are likely to repeat the event in the near future,” he told TTGmice e-Weekly.

The company also believes that Malaysia’s MICE industry is on the ascent, “in tandem with the steady economic expansion in the country”, Liu remarked.

“With the establishment of the ASEAN Economic Community at the end of this year, we believe that more Chinese and foreign organisers and exhibitors are keen to hold exhibitions in Malaysia to take advantage of this growing MICE industry in the country,” he pointed out.   

“In the past few years, foreign organisers such as ITE Group from the UK and Sphere Exhibits from Singapore have entered the market and acquired some local organising companies.”

-TTG Asia.