KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia has raised the profile of its halal products in China through government-industry cooperation, said Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
He said the export value rose to RM3.2bil in five days, marking a significant milestone.
The Deputy Prime Minister cited participation in Mihas and the China International Import Expo (CIIE) as key growth drivers.
“What we achieved through smart collaboration between Matrade and halal industry players is remarkable,” he said on Wednesday (Nov 19).
“At Mihas there were about 15 million connections made in the exhibition halls. China is the only country that invited Malaysian exporters to showcase halal products,” he said.
“We prioritised these products due to strong buyer interest,” added Zahid.
He said Malaysian halal exports have grown steadily to RM3.29bil in five days, adding that he has instructed Matrade to participate in CIIE annually.
He said this enables more local enterprises from diverse communities to showcase products in China.
“As I mentioned, downstream durian products have enormous potential in China,” added Zahid.
He said Malaysia must actively explore this opportunity, as the durian business is not only about diplomacy but also a major economic opportunity.
He urged industry players to develop the downstream durian sector and maximise its potential.
Ahmad Zahid said Malaysia’s technologies and industry advantages can further expand opportunities in China.
