ONE-STOP CENTRE TO ASSIST M'SIAN EXPORTERS TO CHINA

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 6 (Bernama)-- Malaysia's exports to China will continue to see
double-digit growth with the establishment of a one-stop-centre in Kuala Lumpur
which will assist local companies apply for import licences for their goods into
the republic.

The centre will be ready to serve local exporters in a month's time and will be
managed by Capacity Alliance Sdn Bhd, said the Secretary General of National
Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Malaysia Syed Hussien Al Habshee.

He said the company was appointed by the National Healthy Industry Working
Committee of China to educate Malaysian exporters on various guidelines and
regulations set by the Chinese government for the food, herbal, cosmetic,
medication, beauty products and equipment industries.

"With the assistance of this centre, waiting time to obtain licences is expected
to be reduced to only six months compared with two or three years now," Syed
Hussien told reporters on the sidelines of a one-day seminar on "How to Sell
Your Goods in China" here Friday.

Elaborating further, Matrade Chief Executive Officer Noharuddin Nordin said the
centre would be a help to Malaysia in its efforts to educate exporters to gain a
wider market access into China.

He said Malaysia's exports to China rose 12.2 per cent to US$19.1 billion
(US$1=RM3.1567) in 2009 while imports declined 9.3 per cent to US$17.2 billion.

Between Jan-May 2010, China continued to be Malaysia's largest trading partner
with total exports amounting to US$19.1 billion, an increase of 89.2 per cent,
compared with the same period last year.

"With the Asean-China Free Trade Area agreement coming into force on Jan 1, 2010
where tariffs on more than 90 per cent of products were reduced to zero,
Malaysia's trade with China will continue to grow," he said.

Since Malaysia is China's largest trading partner in Asean, Noharuddin said it
was a promising market with huge business potential.

Meanwhile, Capacity Alliance Sdn Bhd signed a memoandum of understanding (MoU)
with the National Healthy Industry Working Committee of China, Ministry of
Health, China, to operate the one-stop centre.

Another MoU was signed between Capacity Alliance and Maha Capacity to facilitate
professional nutritionist and beautician certificate courses and examinations
from China to be conducted in Malaysia.

Malaysian businessmen who do business relating to the cosmetics and
nutrition industry in China are now required to obtain certification in order to
conduct the business in the republic.
-- BERNAMA