Photo shows Ong (left) with Wang Lei during the media briefing
KUCHING: The upcoming 11th China-Asean Expo 2014’ (Caexpo 2014) will be an ideal platform to promote Sarawak’s products as well as enhance bilateral trade between Malaysia and China, says Malaysia External Trade Development Corp (Matrade).
At a media briefing here yesterday, Matrade Business Services & Building Material Section director Ong Yew Chee encouraged Sarawakian companies to leverage on this platform as the state has a lot of unique products that are not marketed globally.
Caexpo, he explained, has become a very important platform and bridge for exchanges in ‘tricky areas’ in trade, investment, and tourism.
“Caexpo has become more internationalised and has over the years improved a lot in terms of participation beyond Asean countries such as from Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea and many others.
“Sarawak, meanwhile, is a state which is rich in resources such as timber and wood products, in addition to special products such as Sarawak pepper and laksa which receives strong demand internationally.
“Sarawak also has attractive handcraft products. Those are the things that we want to showcase and promote at the expo,” Ong pointed out.
Meanwhile, Ong said Matrade aims to attract 140 companies to participate in Caexpo 2014.
“We are trying to make sure that different states and sectors in Malaysia can be represented during this exhibition as there is a lot of countries who will participate in this expo,” he said.
Over the past few years, he said Malaysia’s participation has grown successfully as last year alone, Matrade had provided for a total of 138 companies of which 10 companies were from Sarawak, while a total sales generated were RM158.242 million during the expo.
He also emphasised on the importance and significance of Malaysia’s trade with China.
“In 2013, China continues to be Malaysia’s largest trading partner among other countries in the world since year 2009.
“Malaysia’s total trade with China amounted to RM203.23 billion, an increase of 12.5 per cent compared to 2012. Exports increased by 9.2 per cent to RM96.96 billion and imports increased by 15.7 per cent to RM106.26 billion.