Qinzhou Lab Starts Testing Raw Malaysian Bird's Nest

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 4 (Bernama) -- The China-Malaysia Qinzhou Industrial Park is now ready to receive raw swiftlet bird's nest from Malaysia, following the opening of a US$5.24 million (RM22 million) laboratory. The Agriculture and Agro-Based Industry Ministry of Malaysia, in a statement Thursday, said the laboratory in Qinzhou has begun examining raw bird's nest samples. "The laboratory will ensure all samples examined comply with the required inspection, quarantine and veterinary hygiene protocol for the export of raw swiftlet bird's nest from Malaysia to China," it said. On an official visit to Qinzhou on Thursday, Minister Ahmad Shabery Cheek said this development is good for the bird's nest industry in Malaysia. "It would certainly be an advantage for us and will increase the income of over 10,000 bird's nest entrepreneurs in Malaysia due to the larger market available now. "Our ministry will work to ensure that the products can be exported within the next six months," he said. Malaysia produces nearly 300 metric tonnes of bird's nest a year. --BERNAMA