Manufacturers From China Exploring Potential Collaboration With Malaysian Entrepreneurs
KUALA LUMPUR, March 23 (Bernama) -- Chinese companies should consider manufacturing electrical appliances in Malaysia and take advantage of its strategic position in Southeast Asia to penetrate the larger regional market.
This would be a win-win proposition as both countries are strong trading partners, said Tan Kok Wai, Malaysia’s former Special Envoy to China.
His call came as 10 major producers of electric rice cookers, electric kettles and other household appliances from Lianjiang City in GuangDong Province, China are currently on a four-day fact-finding mission to Malaysia to explore potential collaboration with local entrepreneurs and industrialists.
On Friday the delegation, led by Chen EnCai, Secretary of Lianjiang City Hall, visited Senheng, one of Malaysian largest retailers of household appliances, to better understand Malaysia's retail business landscape.
Known as the top production hub for electric rice cookers and electric kettles, Lianjiang manufacturers account for more than half of China’s output of such appliances.
Its industrial transformation towards becoming a top supplier of electric rice cookers and electric kettles began in the 1980s when several Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM) were set up.
Their progressive growth has led them to become suppliers to China’s leading brands like Haier, Gree and Midea, to name a few.
These days Lianjiang is not only known for its electric cookers and electric kettles, but also renowned for its pressure cookers, induction cookers, multi-function cookers, steamers and electric frying pans.
Lianjiang’s rise to become the leading producer of such modern appliances also significantly boosted its economy through massive job creation for skilled workers like technicians, engineers, and administrative staff; vast improvements in infrastructure; and the establishment of a strong local supply chain to support its household appliances industry’s ecosystem.
On Thursday, the visitors held a dialogue with members of the Malaysia-China Industrial and Commerce Association (MCICA) to facilitate greater economic cooperation between Malaysia and China.
Also present was Tan, who is the Cheras Member of Parliament, and the former chairman of the Malaysia-China Business Council (August 2018-March 2020).
He spoke of the tremendous opportunities for greater bilateral cooperation, especially with the strong diplomatic ties between Malaysia and China over the last 50 years.
Noting that China has been Malaysia’s top trading partner over the past 14 years, he added that the similar trade and economic strategies adopted by both countries should pave the way for them to further strengthen their bilateral cooperation.
Tan also urged the Lianjiang manufacturers to consider the multilingual workforce and other skill sets available in Malaysia for their overseas expansion.
Meanwhile, Chen emphasised that the visit was also aimed at fostering deeper connections with their business partners, particularly given the successful penetration of Liangjiang-made products into the Malaysian market under various brands.
Liu Jingmei, director of the Lianjiang Municipal Bureau of Science, Industry, Trade and Information Technology, also underscored Lianjiang's commitment to research and development in smart home appliances, adding that this dedication has elevated the city to become a prominent hub for such products in China.
MCICA president Lu Zhi Fang is optimistic that enhanced industrial collaboration and trade cooperation between both nations will yield even greater mutually beneficial outcomes, especially with this year being the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties between Malaysia and China.
At the same time, Datuk Lee Hwa Cheng, a member of the business development committee of the Malaysia Business Council, underscored Malaysia's leading role in the halal ecosystem and suggested that the delegation leverage Malaysia as a strategic launchpad for exports to other Islamic nations.
He said this was an area that Malaysian and Chinese entrepreneurs should take advantage of as there are more than 50 Muslim-majority countries in the world, noting that the global Muslim population is currently estimated to be around 1.7 billion.
-- BERNAMA
