CAEXPO 2019 TO SHOWCASE PRODUCTS OF 167 MALAYSIAN SMES

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 18  --The 16th China-ASEAN Expo (CAEXPO) 2019 will see 167 Malaysian small and medium enterprises (SMEs)  showcasing their products and services.

The event will held in Nanning, China, from Sept 21-24.

In a statement today, the Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE) said International Trade and Industry Minister, Datuk Ignatius Darell Leiking, is expected to lead the delegation to the expo.

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The participation is aimed at boosting access of Malaysian companies to not only China, but ASEAN and other countries, located along the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) route.

MATRADE’s chief executive officer Datuk Wan Latiff Wan Musa said over the years, the agency had facilitated more than 1,700 Malaysian SME engagements at CAEXPO.

“We  observed that beyond enhancing trade relations, the event has also helped encourage the flow of investments and tourism between China and Malaysia.

“We have been very aggressive in promoting Malaysian exports to China with our five offices in the market there. For the past two decades, our trade commissioners have also accumulated a sizeable database of buyers and partners, who can be matched with local SMEs,” he added.

MATRADE will also conduct a series of business-matching sessions in collaboration with the China Construction Bank.

“The sessions will enhance the prospects of local companies securing export deals with buyers in China,” the agency said.

China has been Malaysia’s largest trading partner since 2009 and is a key market for a lot of Malaysian SMEs.

Over the years, the Malaysia pavilion at CAEXPO has been one of the most visited, as Chinese consumers are familiar with the high quality of local brands.

Among the sectors to be promoted at the CAEXPO includes food and beverages, health and wellness, lifestyle, as well as services such as franchises.

Last year, Malaysian companies generated sales of RM639.66 million, a 58 per cent increase when compared to RM405.5 million in 2017.

The Malaysia pavilion also bagged two awards last year for Best Industry Organiser and Outstanding Organiser.

This year,  twelve other Malaysian ministries and government agencies will also participate at the CAEXPO.

It includes the Malaysia Investment Development Authority, Federal Agricultural and Marketing Authority, Invest Selangor Bhd, Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, the Selangor State Economic Planning Unit  and Credit Guarantee Corporation Malaysia Bhd.

-- BERNAMA