Ministry to identify companies for China’s import expo

SHANGHAI: The Ministry of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs will identify competence businesses to showcase their products at the Imported Food Exhibition Centre, here.

Its Minister, Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said the centre, which would be set up by the China Cooperative Trade Entreprises Association (CCTEA) soon, would be a stepping stone for Malaysian brands to penetrate the Chinese market.

He said CCTEA president Hao Yanling invited Malaysia to participate in the expo during a meeting here on Sunday.

"The idea was shared with us yesterday, and we will further outline the format of the participation, its duration and the products to be displayed.

“Anyway, we were made to understand that the Imported Food Exhibition Centre welcomes Malaysian products for the exhibition," he said after a dialogue on the China-ASEAN food market opportunities, attended by government and business representatives from Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia, here Monday.

Saifuddin is here on a threeday working visit, which will end today.

Following the dialogue, Malaysia's Sunshine Wholesale Mart Sdn Bhd sealed a memorandum of understanding with CCTEA to facilitate the export and distribution of Malaysian products across China.

Saifuddin said with CCTEA's trading value worth RMB5.4 trillion, he is optimistic that more Malaysian brands, mainly that of small and medium enterprises, would be able to make China as one of their key markets.

A total of 1,762 businesses are registered under the ministry.

Besides trade, he said Malaysia was also keen to learn China's expertise in developing its e-commerce law, which came into force on Jan 1 this year.