GEORGE TOWN: Malaysia Trade Development Corp (Matrade) expects sales for the forthcoming 9th China-Asean Expo (Caexpo) in Nanning, China to increase by about 30% this year.
Matrade (exporters development division) senior director Datuk Dzulkifli Mahmud said total China-Asean sales recorded last year were RM201.89mil with 9,598 business enquiries received.
“This year we expect an increase of 30% in sales as China is still anticipating a 7.5% growth, which is a conservative estimate.
“Furthermore China’s middle-class is expected to grow to 520 million by 2025 from 300 to 400 million presently.
“This would translate into more money spent for imported and high quality products and for their children’s education,” he said at an interview after a seminar on the forthcoming Caexpo – scheduled to be held from Sept 21-25 in Nanning, China.
Dzulkifli said local export-ready small and medium companies taking part in overseas exhibitions could each claim up to RM100,000 per year, compared to RM30,000 last year.
“We encouraged more local export-ready small and medium companies involved in the food and beverage, jewellery, furniture, and automotive component business to take part in the 9th Caexpo,” he said.
Dzulkifli said China had emerged last year as Malaysia’s largest export and import market.
“Malaysia’s participation in the Caexpo is aimed at promoting Malaysian exports of products and services in the China market and other Asean countries, taking advantage of the implementation of China-Asean Free Trade Agreement.
“We also want to be seen as a leading trading nation in Asean with natural resources, strong economic fundamentals and a pro-business government,” he said. – The Star
