GEORGE TOWN: The Malaysia External Trade Development Corp (Matrade) eyes 5-10 per cent increase in sales during the 12th China-Asean Expo 2015 (CAEXPO) from Sept 18-21, 2015 in Nanning, China.
Its director for Business Services & Building Materials Section, Franchise Unit and China Trade and Services Promotion Division, Ong Yew Chee, said the stronger renminbi was an advantage for Malaysian exhibitors as the Chinese would have more buying power.
He said Matrade hoped that the expo would stimulate the economies of both nations in an effort to achieve the bilateral trade target of US$160 billion (US$1 = RM3.63) by 2017.
Last year, total trade between Malaysia and China stood at US$102 billion.
“Our products would be cheaper and I believe we can achieve about 5-10 per cent increase in total sales compare to the last CAEXPO as the Chinese now have more buying power,” he told reporters at the CAEXPO promotion roadshow here today.
He said for the CAEXPO 2014 sales increased by 8.4 per cent to RM168.57 million from RM158.24 million in 2013.
However, Ong said, Malaysian companies, especially small and medium enterprises, should use CAEXPO as a platform to penetrate the China market.
He said China’s domestic consumption was strong and this would clearly benefit Malaysian exhibitors.
“I believe Malaysian exporters would capitalise on CAEXPO as a strategic platform to tap the huge Chinese market,” he said.
He said Matrade aimed to bring about 140 Malaysian companies to the coming CAEXPO at the Nanning International Convention and Exhibition Centre.
“The Malaysia Pavilion will occupy 2,900 sq metres and depending on the layout, we can only accommodate a maximum about 140 exhibitors,” he said.
He said the food and beverage products would continue to be highly sought-after, followed by health and wellness and lifestyle products.
Beside these products, the Malaysians would also promote the services sector, which included education, franchise, environmental and healthcare,” he said. -- BERNAMA