Envoy: Najib visit a boost to trade and investment
ASSURANCE: Industries and smallholders in Malaysia will benefit, says Huang
MUTUAL trust and respect are the key factors ensuring the Malaysia-China relationship stays strong and continues to prosper.
China’s Ambassador to Malaysia Dr Huang Huikang also described the relationship as akin to a Chinese proverb that translates to, “Friendship is like wine, the older the better”.
He said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s recent working visit to China was not only a huge success in strengthening bilateral ties, but also in helping Malaysia’s development into the future.
“I don’t understand why there are claims that Najib’s visit was to ‘sell off’ Malaysia to China. It is an effort to boost trade and investment between both countries.”
Huang said Najib’s visit to China would not only benefit big industries, but also smallholders in the agricultural sector.
“Another initiative is to enhance the export of palm oil and bird’s nests to China.”
During the visit, Najib proposed to his counterpart, Li Keqiang, that China increase the purchase of palm oil, considering that there were 500,000 smallholders in Malaysia.
He also raised the issue of raw, uncleaned and edible bird’s nests exports to China, while assuring that a platform that would be used to ensure only the highest quality of bird’s nests were exported would be completed as soon as possible.
Malaysia is reportedly the world’s second largest producer of bird’s nests and would be exporting raw, uncleaned and edible bird’s nests to China.
The bird’s nests market in China stands at US$1.8 billion (RM7.8 billion) per annum.
Huang said prior to the discussion, the Chinese government had given a positive response towards considering the proposals and would take necessary action to increase imports of both products from Malaysia.
On concerns of competition from Malaysia’s small and medium enterprises amid rising investment and participation from China, he said there was no need to worry, because the spin-off effects were fair and equal.
“There is no need to worry. Chinese companies have corporate social responsibility policies and are not benefit-oriented.”
He said to invest in Malaysia, Chinese companies need local partners. This would create job opportunities and technology transfers.
“Such collaboration will complement one another as there will be an exchange of expertise and possibly localising production to support the industry.” Bernama