Matrade Assist Coordination Of Business Forum, Roundtable Meeting In China

KUALA LUMPUR, April 5 (Bernama) -- The Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE) assisted in the coordination of a business forum and roundtable meeting with high profiles importers and captains of industries in China.

These were held in conjunction with Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s official visit to China, from March 29 to April 1, 2023.

During the roundtable meeting chaired by Anwar on April 1, MATRADE secured a total of RM2.44 billion of potential sales involving nine major Chinese importers.

In a statement today, the agency said products that the importers were interested to source from Malaysia include palm oil and relevant products, edible bird’s nest, food and beverages, durian as well as iron products.

“MATRADE treads on the heels of the latest supply and demand trends, pairing Chinese importers with Malaysian suppliers promptly.

“Additionally, MATRADE has offered assistance to the importers in reaching out to Malaysian suppliers, whether virtually or physically,” said chief executive officer Datuk Mohd Mustafa Abdul Aziz. 

MATRADE said during the business forum, a total of 19 memoranda of understanding were exchanged, witnessed by the Prime Minister, encompassing trade and investment cooperation as well as cultural exchange cooperation.

The business forum was attended by more than 1,000 Chinese and Malaysian business representatives. 

China has been Malaysia’s largest trading partner for 14 consecutive years, with a 17.1 per cent share of Malaysia’s total trade.

MATRADE said in 2022, China remained Malaysia’s major export destination and source of imports, as Malaysia’s exports to China surpassed the RM200 billion mark for the first time, expanding by 9.4 per cent to an all-time high of RM210.62 billion, while imports from China increased by 20.7 per cent to RM276.5 billion.

-- BERNAMA