25% MORE EXHIBIT SPACE AT WIRE AND TUBE SOUTHEAST ASIA 2007

The premiere staging of wire and Tube Southeast ASIA 2007 in Bangkok will feature exhibits by some 300 exhibitors from more than 30 countries, including eight country group exhibits from Austria, China, France, Germany, Italy, Taiwan, United Kingdom and the U.S. Responding to the requests for more space from both confirmed and potential exhibitors at the sold out trade fairs, hall space was increased by 25%. Both wire and Tube Southeast ASIA will be held amidst renewed optimism in the Thai economy on account of elections scheduled for the end of the year and a return to civilian government in early 2008. The economic and industrial outlook in neighboring countries such as Vietnam and Indonesia are also positive. wire and Tube Southeast ASIA 2007 will take place from October 16 – 18, 2007.

Foreign investors continue to view Thailand as an attractive location for export-oriented production operations. For example, leading New Zealand home appliance manufacturer Fisher & Paykel (F&P), is in the process of relocating production facilities for its washing machines and clothes dryers from Auckland, New Zealand to a new purpose-built facility in Thailand. F&P is relocating its operations in order to remain competitive with home appliance makers with production bases in Thailand, China and Korea. Thailand’s Board of Investment reports foreign and domestic investment applications received in the first five months of 2007 were up 12% and valued at $5.6 billion (up 73%). In terms of investments approved, the number was up slightly by 3.5% but a more positive sign was the value of approvals – an increase of 86% to $ 8.35 billion.

Emphasizing their status as regional trade shows for the wire, cable, tube and pipe industries of Southeast Asia, wire and Tube Southeast ASIA 2007 will also serve as forums to introduce the latest solutions and technologies to neighboring ASEAN nations such as Vietnam, which is Southeast Asia’s fastest growing economy with an estimated GDP growth of 7.9% this year. Vietnam plans to maintain this development as part of its Five-Year Socio-Economic Development Plan 2006-2010, with a target of at least 7.5-8% annual GDP growth. The Five-Year Plan also targets annual export growth of 16% and industrial products to account for 75% of the total export turnover by 2010. This goal seems reachable given the recent investments by industry giants such as Intel and Panasonic that gave a significant boost to the country’s growing electronics industry. Vietnam attracted a record level of foreign investments worth $ 10.2 billion in 2006 and this level is expected to be maintained in the foreseeable future. Massive state investments in infrastructure such as industrial estates, road and rail links, airports and seaports will also boost demand for wire, cable, tube and pipe products.

The GDP growth in Indonesia remains strong at 6.8% in the first quarter of 2007, while fixed investment was up 7.5%. Indonesia’s recent decision to open up infrastructure projects such as power plants, roads, water, sanitation and housing to the private sector should also increase investment and strengthen demand for wire, cable, pipes and tubes.

In neighboring Malaysia, projects such as the Iskandar Development Region (IDR) will boost investment in infrastructure. IDR covers 2,217 square kilometers of land area, between the Senai Airport, the Ports of Tanjung Pelepas and Pasir Gudang and is one of the key engines of growth identified under the Ninth Malaysia Plan (9MP) for the development of the Malaysian economy. More than RM 4 billion has been allocated by the Government under 9MP to build the infrastructure for the region such as new highways, sewerage systems and river cleaning. IDR wants to attract investment in areas such as creative industries and logistics.

INTERNATIONAL SEMINAR

At wire and Tube Southeast ASIA 2007, the International Wire & Machinery Association (IWMA) and the International Tube Association (ITA) will co-organize a one-day seminar for the non-ferrous sectors in both industries. Confirmed presentations will include “New generation of furnace technology for copper rod production” by Dr H. Bebber of Induga GmbH, Germany, "Productivity savings in the manufacture of copper and aluminum stranded conductors using the roll forming double twist process” by S. Harrington, Ceeco Bartell, Canada, “The economical approach to producing pancake coil copper tube” by G. Jones of Otto Junker GmbH, Germany, and “Environmentally friendly surface and heat treatment for wire/tube by plating” by I. Rogelj, Plasmait GmbH, Austria. For more information on attending the seminar, contact IWMA (info@iwma.org) or ITA (info@itatube.org).

Visitors can now pre-register online at www.wire-southeastasia.com or www.tube-southeastasia.com.

For further information on visiting or exhibiting at wire Southeast ASIA and Tube Southeast ASIA 2007, contact Messe Düsseldorf North America, 150 North Michigan Avenue, Suite 2920, Chicago, IL 60601. Telephone: (312) 781-5180; Fax: (312) 781-5188; E-mail: info@mdna.com. Or visit the web site http://www.mdna.com.

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