Malaysia-China Aquaculture Business To Double From One Belt One Road

PETALING JAYA (Selangor, Malaysia), May 18 (Bernama) -- By 2020, Malaysia’s aquaculture products exported to China are expected to double to US$92.46 million (RM400 million) annually. Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Minister Ahmad Shabery Cheek (far right) said this was due to the One Belt One Road plan and was one of the benefits that could be enjoyed by Malaysian businessmen. "During my visit to Beijing, an official took me to a seafood restaurant and pointed out the aquaculture products imported from Malaysia. It was proof enough to see that our aquaculture and fisheries industry had successfully penetrated the China market," he told reporters here Wednesday. He said during his visit to China with Prime Minister Najib Razak recently, he realised that Malaysia had huge potential as a major aquaculture exporter to China. “China has been in the aquaculture field for a long time and there are many things that we can learn from them, especially on technology transfer. Cooperation with various parties has been established and there is planning currently,” added Ahmad Shabery. He said there was still plenty of room to improve and expand the aquaculture industry as the port in Kuantan of Malaysia's Pahang state would be turned into a special port to connect the two countries for import-export purposes. "Our seafood and edible fish products are highly sought-after but there is room to progress especially on technology exchanges. Malaysia has managed to tap into the Chinese market and it will be a huge market for us in the future.” The minister said the development would negate any slowdown in exports to the European Union and other markets which had placed a range of restrictions and conditions on Malaysian exports. Earlier, Ahmad Shabery officiated the awards ceremony that recognised 19 aquaculture and aquaculture-related industries for its contribution towards the country’s aquaculture industry.(photoBERNAMA) -- BERNAMA