FOCUS ON SPECIFIC REGIONS IN CHINA TO ENHANCE MARKET, SAYS MUKHRIZ

PUTRAJAYA, June 1 (Bernama) -- There is a need to focus on specific regions
in China to ensure products by Malaysian entrepreneurs can effectively compete
in that country's market, says Deputy Minister of International Trade and
Industry, Mukhriz Mahathir.

He said this is because China's market is huge and products from the country
are normally far more cheaper as the labour cost is low and certainly a factor
which Malaysia cannot compete against.

"However, if there specialty products such as halal food and electrical and
electronic products, we have an edge here with the added value being high. This
means, the price need not be low, as we have a reputation in terms of quality,"
he added.

He was speaking to reporters after officiating the Seminar on Exploring
China's Market here Wednesday.

Mukhriz said exports to China for electrical and electronic products alone
amounted to US$12.2 billion in 2010, representing 50.8 per cent of all exports
to that country.

This is followed by palm oil products at US$3.1 billion, chemical products
(US$2.2 billion), rubber products (US$1.3 billion) and natural rubber (US$1.1
billion).

"So, from this, it is clear that our entrepreneurs have a good opportunity
to export to China, particularly electrical and electronic products," Mukhriz
said.

He also said that apart from this, halal products had a big market potential
in China as demand was not just from the Muslim-majority regions but also others
in the country.