Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation

MONDAY, JULY 3 2017, KUALA LUMPUR : In an effort to enhance market outreach in China for Malaysia’s Halal sector, Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE) will be coordinating the participation of Malaysian companies at the 23rd Lanzhou Investment & Trade Fair 2017 in Lanzhou, Gansu Province, China from July 6 to 9. The Malaysian delegation will be led by YB Dato’ Seri Ong Ka Chuan, Minister II of International Trade and Industry.

The highlight of Malaysia’s participation is the selection of Malaysia as the Country of Honour by the organiser. Ninety representatives from 31 Malaysian companies and various Malaysian government organisations will take part at the prominent event.

The participation is timely as Lanzhou has been identified by the Chinese government as one the Halal trade hubs in China, besides being China’s strategic entrance for Halal products. Lanzhou also serves as a key regional transportation hub in China, connecting areas further west by rail to the Eastern half of China. Among the sectors promoted at the event include food & beverages, healthcare tourism and tourism services as well as many others.

Ir Dr Mohd Shahreen Zainooreen Madros, the Chief Executive Officer of MATRADE said that the involvement of Malaysian players at the event offers a good opportunity for Malaysia to promote its Halal products and services. “Participation at Lanzhou Investment & Trade Fair 2017 will also enable us to tap into the neighbouring Muslim markets of Gansu namely Ningxia, Qinghai, Xinjiang and nearby provinces,” he said.

Apart from the trade exhibition, a Trade & Investment Forum will be organised and will involve business communities from around China and 32 countries. In addition to the forum, MATRADE and the Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA) will be organising an economic forum to promote trade and investment opportunities as well as highlight Malaysia’s capabilities in Halal certification, palm oil, education as well as health tourism. Other agencies involved are Halal Development Corporation (HDC), Malaysia Palm Oil Board (MPOB) and Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE).

Participation at Lanzhou Investment & Trade Fair is a continuation of various efforts executed by the Government, including a recent visit by YAB Prime Minister Dato’ Sri Mohd Najib Tun Razak to China, to strengthen the country’s relationship with China, Malaysia’s main trading partner. Currently, both countries are already cooperating on mega projects such as the twin parks – Malaysia-China Kuantan Industrial Park and China-Malaysia Qinzhou Industrial Park, Xiamen University in Malaysia – and a number of infrastructure development projects, particularly in the construction of railway.

“MATRADE, through its various export promotion initiatives will continue to accelerate Malaysia’s exports to China given its importance to Malaysian companies, especially the Small and Medium Enterprises,” Ir Dr Mohd Shahreen added.

In the first four months of 2017, trade with China registered a growth of 32.7% to RM91.36 billion. Exports surged by 42.5% to RM39.27 billion and imports expanded by 26.1% to RM52.09 billion. Products that contributed to the increase in exports were Electrical and Electronics products, petroleum products, chemicals and chemical products as well as rubber products. China also remains Malaysia’s largest trading partner. In 2016, it was Malaysia largest trading partner for 8th consecutive year since 2009.