Ministry Seeks China's Approval For 11 Bird's Nest Exporters

PUTRAJAYA (Malaysia), May 23 (Bernama) -- The Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Ministry is working hard to get approval from China for 11 Malaysian bird's nest exporters to export to the republic, said Deputy Minister Tajuddin Abdul Rahman. As of March, the eight approved local exporters have exported 8,000 kg of bird's nest worth US$17.21 million (RM62 million) to China, he said. "The Chinese Agriculture Ministry has also promised to expedite the approval process, and we believe if the 11 get their approval, our exports of bird's nest could exceed US$27.76 million (RM100 million) a year," he said at a media conference here Friday attended by Chinese Deputy Agriculture Minister Zhang Taolin, who made a courtesy call on the ministry earlier. (US$1 = RM3.60) Tajuddin said during the visit, the two sides discussed the possibility of Malaysia exporting pineapples and jackfruit to China, which already imports Malaysia's rambutan, coconuts, mangosteen and frozen durian. "We also requested the quarantine period for Malaysia's arowana fish be shortened from six months to two weeks," he said. In 2014, Malaysia exported agricultural products worth RM1.58 billion to China, while its imports were valued at RM4.6 billion. -- BERNAMA