MATRADE To Use Caexpo 2012 To Increase Malaysia-China Trade

KUCHING (Sarawak, Malaysia), April 18 (Bernama) -- The Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (Matrade) will tap the popularity of the annual China-Asean Expo (CAExpo) in Nanning to increase Malaysia's trade with the world's most populated nation. Its China Trade and Services Promotion Director, Ong Yew Chee, said as both countries agreed to double their trade value within five years, the trade corporation's focus would be to increase Malaysia's exports to China. "CAExpo is an anchor event to promote our products to China," he told reporters after a seminar to promote the five-day Ninth CAExpo to be held in Nanning. He said the exhibition has been an annual event since 2004 aimed at promoting China-Asean Free Trade Area and had been highly credited as an effective platform to promote trade, investment and tourism between China and Asean. In 2011, 146 Malaysian exhibitors took part in expo, recording sales of RM201.89 million (US$65.8 million) and 9,600 business enquiries, he said. For this year, he said Matrade was targetting to bring about 100 Malaysian companies involved in the food and beverage, health and wellness, lifestyle, furniture, green products, new technology and services. Ong said China had been Malaysia's largest trading partner for the last three years. "Despite the global economic uncertainties, our trade with China is growing at a positive rate," he said. -- BERNAMA