Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation

CAEXPO 2016 PROVIDES A PLATFORM FOR MALAYSIA TO STRENGTHEN RELATIONSHIP WITH CHINA AND ASEAN COUNTRIES

SATURDAY, 10 SEPTEMBER 2016, NANNING: Malaysia’s participation in the 13th China-ASEAN Expo (CAEXPO) aims to deepen Malaysia’s bilateral relationship with China and other ASEAN state members, through commodity and services trade, awareness on investment opportunities, cultural exchanges, exhibition as well as conferences. The event takes place from 11th to 14th September 2016.

The key focus of this year’s participation are to further leverage on China-ASEAN Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA), the promotion of Malaysia’s exports, attracting investment from China, pushing Malaysia’s tourism industry and to brand Malaysia as a dynamic nation with rich natural resources, strong economic fundamentals and pro-business policies.

According to Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation’s (MATRADE) China Unit’s Director Mr Ong Yew Chee, this year’s involvement is the biggest participation for Malaysia with over 205 Malaysian companies and 200 booths featured at the trade fair. There are over five clusters showcased namely Food & Beverages, Health & Wellness, Lifestyle, Franchise, Services and Government.
“53% of the companies at the event are first-time participants. The trade fair has proven to be effective for Malaysia since its inception and Malaysia has never missed a session,” Mr Ong said.

Marking the opening was the launch of Malaysia Pavilion today by Minister of International Trade and Industry II YB Dato’ Seri Ong Ka Chuan today. Apart from the trade exhibition taking place at the Malaysia Pavilion, the other main components by Malaysia at CAEXPO 2016 are the launch of City of Charm by Tourism Malaysia and China ASEAN Business Investment Summit by MIDA.

“We hope the CAEXPO 2016 will encourage visitors and buyers alike to check out Malaysian products and services online. Upon viewing of the products at the event, potential buyers may utilise eCommerce to secure future purchase of Malaysian products and services, ” said Dato’ Seri Ong Ka Chuan.

Currently, around 10 per cent of CAEXPO participants from Malaysia are involved in eCommerce.

“CAEXPO provides an ideal platform for Malaysia to not engage with our Chinese counterparts but with the players from the ASEAN countries. Apart from the B2C element at the event, CAEXPO also promotes G to G cooperation and can contribute to realising the RM170 billion trade target with China by 2017,” Mr Ong mentioned.

Malaysia’s participation in the CAEXPO 2016 is also a move to unearth more untapped opportunities in China for Malaysian companies especially in the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. Additionally, China’s effort to revitalise the Silk Road facilitates the efforts by Malaysia to strengthen its bilateral relationship with one of the world’s economic powerhouses.

Malaysia has been China’s largest ASEAN trading partner since 2009. Total trade between Malaysia and China for 2015 amounted to RM230.89 billion compared to RM207.8 billion for the same period in 2014 – an increase of 14 per cent. Malaysia’s total exports to China for the same period had recorded a double-digit growth of 10 per cent to RM101.53 billion despite slower economic growth in China while total imports from China were valued at RM129.36 billion.