MAJOR GAINS FROM MALAYSIA-CHINA TIES, SAY BUSINESS LEADERS

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 21 (Bernama) -- Established two-way relations between
Malaysia and China for the past 35 years have brought major benefits for both
countries, according to local business leaders.

Associated Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Malaysia (ACCCIM)
president William Cheng said Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak's
visit to China in June this year had brought Malaysia-China relations to a
higher level.

Speaking at a gathering organised by the Malaysia-China Chamber of Commerce
to mark the 35th anniversary of relations between the two countries, he said
Najib had encouraged Malaysians to learn from China's experience in economic
development.

"The Prime Minister has also launched various measures such as facilitating
the investment process for China's businesses in Malaysia to attract more
foreign investors, especially those from China," said Cheng who will be visiting
China soon to attract more companies there to invest in Malaysia.

China's ambassador to Malaysia Liu Jian said that trade played an important
role in Malaysia-China cooperation, and economic development in both countries
had experienced significant growth.

Deputy Foreign Minister Lee Chee Leong, who was also present at the
gathering, said the two countries had strengthened cooperation in areas like
trade, culture, education and tourism as well as relations among the people.

He also called on local businesses to invite investors from China to
Malaysia as the government had implemented measures to promote trade and
investment, including scrapping the 30 per cent Bumiputera (son of soil) equity
quota to attract foreign investment.

Malaysia-China Chamber of Commerce president Yong Ah Pwi said the two
countries have established "win-win" cooperation which brought major benefits to
the people.

He said that China's products which are cheap and of good quality have
received good response in Malaysia and China represented a big export market for
Malaysian businesses.

Yong said that China's efforts to expand domestic consumption and its target
of eight per cent growth offered opportunities for Malaysian entrepreneurs.

He also called on Malaysian businesses to work together with Chinese
investors in the international halal market and export halal food products to
China.

-- BERNAMA