Mida chairman Datuk Abdul Majid Ahmad Khan
BEIJING: The trade section of the Embassy of Malaysia in China, led by government agency Malaysia External Trade Development Corp (Matrade), aims to bring more Malaysian small and medium enterprises (SMEs) into the China market.
Trade and investment activity between the countries remains strong. In the first quarter of 2024, the country’s total trade with China had reached over RM112bil, and China remained a significant market for Malaysian exports.
During a sharing session with Malaysian delegates at the Embassy of Malaysia in China in Beijing, Matrade Minister Counsellor Niqman Rafaee Mohd Sahar said the competition within the China market was high.
“For our SMEs, sometimes the challenge they face is to meet the minimum order requirements by China – which are usually in large quantities.
“So, when SMEs are only capable of supplying small quantities, they may not be able to meet the best price and lose in terms of pricing,” he said.
Niqman said Matrade, in collaboration with the Malaysian Embassy, is looking into ways to assist local SMEs and help them strategise accordingly to penetrate into the wider Chinese market.
He pointed out the need to work closely with media entities to highlight opportunities from different sectors in China to Malaysian SMEs.
“Previously, we had a few big provincial companies that bought Malaysian products and even did a special showcase of the products here.
“So, if we have media representatives here, I believe it would be good to highlight all of the activities happening here,” he added.
Hence, the Malaysian Media Delegation Visit to China programme organised by the Malaysia-China Friendship Association (PPMC) was conducted in conjunction with the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Malaysia and China.
The visit was part of the “people-to-people” programme between the two countries to understand and know each other’s culture, language, technology and the role of the media.
The delegation was led by PPMC president and former Malaysian ambassador to China Datuk Abdul Majid Ahmad Khan as well as Malaysian National News Agency or Bernama chairman and Star Media Group Bhd
adviser Datuk Seri Wong Chun Wai.
Concluding the visit, Abdul Majid said the level of maturity resulting from the 50-year diplomatic relationship is growing and enabling the two countries to resolve issues together.
“We must look at the relationship between Malaysia and China as a whole.
“Indeed, in the course of the relationship between the two countries, it has not always been perfect.
“Now, I believe the level of friendship and relationship between Malaysia and China has reached a mature and high level.
“Both countries have also committed to continue this friendship because China is a close neighbour whose development has benefited Malaysia,” he told the media.
The visit saw Malaysian media representatives experiencing three days in Beijing, and meeting the Propaganda Department of the China Communist Party Central Committee International Communications Bureau director Chen Dawei and the China Ministry of Foreign Affairs Information Department deputy director China Hu Jian.
They were also given the chance to visit local media organisations, namely, People’s Daily and China Media Group to see for themselves the operation and exchange views on journalism practices and the latest broadcasting technology.
The visit, Abdul Majid said, has opened a new chapter towards further strengthening Malaysia-China relations for the next 50 years.
“The increase in trade between Malaysia and China has continued for 15 years. Malaysia is China’s first trading partner, and China has become the third largest foreign investor in Malaysia. This is a dynamic we need to maintain,” he said.
In addition, he said China’s vigorous exploration in the fields of technology, especially in artificial intelligence and electric vehicles, is expected to benefit Malaysia.
Separately, Wong said the Chinese media had voiced their desire to increase cooperation with Malaysia in the field of journalism. This includes cooperation during Chinese President Xi Jinping’s visit to Malaysia next year in conjunction with Malaysia assuming the chairmanship of Asean.
