KUALA LUMPUR, April 25 — The government is prepared to make Malaysia the Southeast Asia hub for the trading of books and intellectual property, said Second Education Minister Datuk Seri Idris Jusoh.

He said Malaysia had many experts in various fields whose knowledge could be shared with the global community.

“We have expertise in many areas ranging from Islamic finance, agriculture, halal products, medical and more,” said Idris, whose speech was delivered by his deputy P. Kamalanathan in opening the 2014 Kuala Lumpur International Book Fair here today.

Such knowledge and research could be published in book form and marketed through other international book fairs in Frankfurt, London, Beijing and Abu Dhabi.

At a press conference later, Kamalanathan said the 33rd Kuala Lumpur International Book Fair had recorded the highest number of exhibitors so far at 919.

The fair. organised by the National Book Council of Malaysia and Bank Simpanan Nasional, is expected to draw more than two million visitors over the course of its run from April 24 to May 4, compared with 1.6 million last year. — Bernama