EXPORT OF MALAYSIA-MADE GOODS TO RISE 3.5 PCT THIS YEAR

KUALA LUMPUR, June 15 (Bernama) -- The export of Malaysian-made goods is
expected to go up by 3.5 per cent this year and by six per cent in 2015,
parliament wast told here Tuesday.

Deputy Minister of International Trade and Industry Mukhriz Mahathir said
the overall export of Malaysian made goods was expected to increase to RM425.8
billion (US$129 billion) this year compared with RM411.4 billion ( US$124.66
billion) last year.

Exports to China this year meanwhile is expected to go up by 3.5 per cent to
RM52.8 billion from RM51.0 billion last year (US$1 = RM3.3).

"In line with this, various trade exhibitions, trade investment missions,
specialised marketing and trade promotions at international events will be held
in 2010 by MITI (Ministry of International Trade and Industry) agencies.

"The intention is to both introduce and promote Malaysian goods worldwide
and carry out business matchings between local and foreign companies to widen
the distribution network for local companies," he said in reply to a question
from Opposition MP Sim Tong Him.

Sim wanted to know the trade figures between Malaysia and China and the
estimated increase in trade between the two countries from 2010 till 2015.

Mukhriz said China was Malaysia's main trading partner in 2009, recording
total trade amount of RM127.9 billion.

"Two way trade between Malaysia and China went up by five times in the last
10 years compared with a trade amount of only RM23.8 billion in 2000," he said.

Malaysia's exports to China last year amounted to RM67.2 billion or 12.1 per
cent share of the total exports of Malaysia, making the country the second
largest export market for Malaysia in 2009 after Singapore.

"Malaysia's import from China was RM60.7 billion or 14 per cent share of its
total imports for the year, making the country a main source of import for
Malaysia that year," he said.

The exports to China for the year meanwhile came from the manufacturing
sector which took 75.8 per cent share or RM51.0 billion worth, agriculture
sector which took 18.3 per cent (RM12.3 billion) and the mining sector which
accounted for 5.6 per cent or RM3.8 billion worth.

"China's gross domestic product growth, which is expected to grow at 9.0 per
cent this year, will continue to contribute towards increased demand for
Malaysia's exports to the country," Mukhriz said.

A majority of Malaysia's imports from China meanwhile came from its
manufacturing sector which took 94.1 per cent share or RM57.1 billion in worth.

Malaysia also imported products from China's agriculture sector which
accounted for 3.9 per cent or RM2.4 billion worth and from the mining sector
which took 1.3 per cent share or RM778.1 million.
-- BERNAMA