Good Prospects For M'sian Agriculture Products In China, Says Noh

PUTRAJAYA (Malaysia), May 16 (Bernama) -- Malaysian agricultural products have good prospects in China, but their quality and quantity have to meet the needs of the China market, says Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Minister of Malaysia Noh Omar. "The response (to our products) is good, but we should focus on ensuring adequate supply, for example there is a Chinese company that is requesting 17 container loads of Malaysian durians," he said at a media conference here Wednesday. Noh, who returned Tuesday from a three-day visit to China, said the Farmers Organisation Authority (LPP) and Federal Agricultral Marketing Authority (Fama) should look at ways to improve the production and marketing of agricultural products. He said during his visit, 10 Malaysian companies signed agreements to supply their products to Beijing-based Sun BaoShuanghi International Halal Food Trading Mart, which is gearing to open 3,000 outlets in China, offering 30,000 stock keeping units (SKU) from the whole world. The 10 Malaysian firms are taking part in the China-Malaysia Halal Food Fair in Xian from May 12 to 18. Noh said he had fruitful discussions with the minister in charge of China's General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine (AQSIQ). Noh said in principle, Malaysian bird's nest can be exported to China after certain technical issues have been resolved, and China has signed a draft protocol to be forwarded to Malaysia soon. "I gave an assurance to AQSIQ that our bird's nest would adhere to the standards in the protocol, but our producers will have to tighten various procedures in order to meet the standards. "I also wish to stress that no company has a monopoly on the export of bird's nest, it's open to any company as long they can meet the standards in the protocol. "I do not want to see any company unable to meet the standards and later accuse the ministry of favouring any quarter," he said. -- BERNAMA