Caexpo Among Malaysia's Strategies To Strengthen Bilateral Trade With China

From Nurul Hanis Izmir NANNING (CHINA), Sept 13 (Bernama) -- Malaysia's participation in the 13th China-ASEAN Expo (CAEXPO) here is one of Malaysia's strategies to strengthen bilateral trade among both countries. The Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation's (Matrade) Strategic Planning Division Senior Director Wan Latiff Wan Musa said the CAEXPO was among the biggest events in China, with a population of 1.3 billion. "Nanning is a third tier city located in the west of China and this is the third time Malaysia is participating in the Expo. "We see wide trade potential with the city, alongside trade cooperation with first tier cities as Shanghai, Beijing, Guangzhou and Shenzhen. There are also the second tier cities, including Xiamen, Chong Qing and Nanjing," he told the media on the second day of the four-day CAEXPO. He said support for the Expo from visitors was on the rise and Malaysia cannot stay away from the event. Wan Latiff added that the participation of Malaysian companies was also improving, and this is shows good demand and purchasing power in the country. Malaysia's other strategy to enter the Chinese market is via participation in the "One Belt One Road" initiative introduced by the Chinese government. It aims to enhance trade between China and those countries along the Silk Route to Central Asia and ending in Europe. "We have also cooperation through the 21st Maritime Silk Road that promotes trade via the sea from China to Africa and Europe. "We are also encouraging companies to use the online platform to widen trade to the international market. Matrade has made available e-trade, in an effort to guide local traders through the online platform," Wan Latiff said. e-trade is a programme implemented by Matrade, the national trade promotion agency to promote the adoption of e-commerce among Malaysian small and medium enterprises to accelerate exports through participation in leading international markets. Trade between Malaysia and China was valued at US$55.98 billion (RM230 billion) last year, representing about 15 per cent of the country's total global trade. --BERNAMA