6.1.1.2 Sub-region: The Middle East
Malaysia’s export destinations in the Middle East were Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates (UAE), Kuwait, Lebanon, Sudan, Iran Bahrain, Qatar, Jordan, Syria and Oman. Saudi Arabia was the main importer with (about 34%) followed by UAE (about 33%) and Kuwait (about 16%) of the total quantity exported to this sub-region. The other countries imported less than 10% of the raw materials. The major exported raw materials to these countries were other spices, gaharu wood chips, other vegetable products not elsewhere specified, nutmeg, cloves, other natural gums, resins, gum-resins and oleoresins and cinnamon and cinnamon tree flowers crushed and not crushed. Details of the quantity exported and percentage share of exports to these countries are as shown in the Table 170 and Figure 222 below.
Export destination to the Middle East Countries
Table 170: Export destination to the Middle Eastern countries
Raw material to Saudi Arabia consisted of other spices, gaharu wood chips, other plants and plant parts used primarily in perfumery and other purposes and other essential oils other than those of citrus fruits. United Arab Emirates imported nutmeg, other spices, other natural gums, resins, gum-resins and oleoresins, other vegetable products not elsewhere specified and other essential oils other than those of citrus fruit.
Figure 222: Percentages of Export to the Middle Eastern Countries (2000-2007)