M’sian brands promoted at 17th China-Asean Expo

Building brands: Nushirwan (right) touring the Malaysia Pavilion at the expo in Nanning.

NANNING: Usually the biggest among Asean nations, this year’s Malaysia Pavilion at the 17th China-Asean Expo has been scaled down due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

However Malaysia External Trade Development Corp (Matrade) trade counsel for Guangzhou, Zaimah Osman said promotions of Malaysian brands must continue.

Exhibitors are focusing on brand building rather than targets.

“We want people to know Malaysian products are of international standard and good quality, and to have confidence on seeing the words ‘Made in Malaysia’,” she said.

The expo, which started on Thursday, runs until Monday. It is a major annual event on Malaysia’s trade activities in China.

Last year, 167 exhibitors raked in RM677.8mil in sales. In addition, seven memorandum of understanding, worth RM31.71mil, were inked between Malaysian and Chinese companies.

Due to travel restrictions, the participation this year is just 26 firms – which already have representatives in China.

Apart from durian products, bird’s nest and coffee, also showcased at the expo including honey, instant noodles, fashion and cosmetics.Malaysian Ambassador to China Raja Datuk Nushirwan Zainal Abidin said the event was an important platform for Malaysian companies, particularly the small and medium enterprises (SMEs).

“China has been the largest trading partner with Malaysia for 11 years,” he added.

Nushirwan noted that the total trade between both countries stood at US$76.4bil (RM311bil) last year.