Agricultural Protocol, Joint Supply Chain Will Improve Malaysia-China Trade

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 18 (Bernama) -- The signing of an agricultural protocol, and improving the joint supply chain, will help boost bilateral trade between Malaysia and China going forward, said Malaysia's Second International Trade and Industry Minister Ong Ka Chuan. He said adherence to China's safety measures on import requirements for fresh fruit products is important to enhance Malaysia's exports to the country. "Malaysia is expected to sign the agriculture protocol in September, starting with pineapples, and this could be followed by other fruits," Ong told a press conference after attending the seminar on, "Embracing China: How to Export Effectively to China", here Thursday. "With the protocol, we can establish the direct export of fruits to China. Fruit exports to China has also a chance to improve from the six per cent currently to about 20 per cent of Malaysia's total exports in the near future," Ong said. He also said that improvement of the joint supply chain with China would facilitate the movement of components produced by the electrical and electronics (E&E) industry in Malaysia. "We have to continue eliminating taxes, tariff barriers and non-tariff barriers, so that the components can move very efficiently to the final destinations for assembly. "Any delay will affect the assembly of the final products and if that happens, investors will not choose Malaysia as their investment destination," he added. Ong said investors now saw Malaysia, as not only very close to China for export purposes, but also as a joint supply chain partner to the country. Meanwhile, China's Ambassador to Malaysia, Dr Huang Huikang who also present at the seminar and press conference, said latest trends showed that the people of China loved Malaysian products. "We love your durians. At policy level, we are now encouraging more imports from Malaysia, and that is inclusive of Malaysia's halal food," he said. Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (Matrade) Chief Executive Officer Dzulkifli Mahmud said the agency is on aggressive campaign to enhance the promotion and brand building programmes in China. "We are now entering the second and third tier cities, while leveraging on the rapid development of China's e-commerce to boost our trade there," he said. He said the seminar organised by Matrade on Thursday is aimed at providing some insights, tips and guidance to Malaysian exporters on how to export effectively to China. "Participants will be given a thorough briefing on the overview and updates of market opportunities, market entry procedures, rules and regulation, certification export documentation, as well as logistics management for the China market," he added. --BERNAMA