MALAYSIA EYES BOOST IN HALAL FOOD TRADE WITH CHINA

KUALA LUMPUR, May 7 (Bernama) -- Malaysia aims to boost bilateral trade in
halal food with China.

President of Malaysia-China Chamber of Commerce, Yong Ah Pwi, said
Malaysia would serve as an ideal platform for the trading in halal goods due to
its strategic geographical location.

"There are 1.3 billion Muslims, or nearly a quarter of the global population
and the annual trade volume of halal food exceeds US$150 billion.

"This is a very bright and prospective business opportunity and the Chinese
entrepreneurs can make use of this important platform to penetrate the the halal
global food market," he told a media briefing to promote China (Ningxia)
International Trade and Investment Fair (CITIF) here Wednesday.

CIFIF will be held from Aug 18-23 at Yinchuan International Conference and
Exhibition Centre in Ningxia, China.

Yong said Malaysia welcomed China-made halal goods to be promoted here
including the setting up of joint-ventures with Malaysian entrepreneurs to
create a win-win situation.

Meanwhile, adviser of Ningxia Hui Autonomous Regiion, Hai Juzeng, said
the fair would exhibit halal food, Muslim commodities, premier cashmere
(wool) products, modern light industry and electronic products, machinery
equipment and typical agricultural products.

-- BERNAMA