Chance for Sabah's bakers to go global in view of US-China trade war
Published on: Wednesday, May 14, 2025
Published on: Wed, May 14, 2025
By: Wu Vui Tek Text Size: Chong, Foo and Ng (seated, from second left) inviting Sabah's baking industry to participate in MIMF 2025. Kota Kinabalu: Sabah confectionery and bakery operators were encouraged to seize the opportunity created by the trade war between China and the US. President of Malaysia Promas International Business Society (Promas) Dato' Chong Chong Tik said the changing international trade landscape, amid the crisis, Malaysia can attract Chinese enterprises through a cooperative partnership approach. 'China's small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are struggling, the Chinese government strongly supports their 'go global' policy,' he said when announcing the 36th Malaysia International Machinery Fair (MIMF 2025) roadshow in Sabah at a restaurant here. The event will be held at the Malaysia Trade and Exhibition Centre (MITEC), Kuala Lumpur from July 10-12, 2025. Given this scenario, he said there will be a flood of Chinese enterprise expanding abroad and Malaysia's strongest competitive edge right now is the halal certification, which is highly valued in Muslim countries. He said Promas has been working closely with the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (Jakim) to promote collaboration on how to bring Chinese food companies to produce in Malaysia and obtain halal certification. Given these favourable conditions, he said Promas is inviting the baking industry players in Sabah to participate in the upcoming exhibition as food processing, packaging, retail sectors, and baking will be among the highlights. He said halal baking will be one of the focuses as over 100 Chinese companies are expected to participate in exhibition, which is an opportunity for networking. 'Many Chinese companies under the go-global policy are looking for partners in Malaysia, Indonesia, and other countries. By having Malaysian baking businesses at the exhibition, they are allowing them to connect directly with those looking for biscuit, cake, preserved foods, agricultural products and others, he said. He said the Sabah Confectionary and Bakery Association (SCBA) will be allocated with a booth under the Malaysia's pavilion to showcase their baking enterprises and networking at the exhibition. SCBA Deputy Chairman Lawrence Ng said participating in MIMF is something new to them and they are looking forward to explore the opportunity. 'We will convey this message to our over 100 members across Sabah as I think this is a good opportunity to showcase our products at international level,' he said. Also present was Malaysian Bakery and Sugar-Craft Association, President Foo Kim. * Follow us on Instagram and join our Telegram and/or WhatsApp channel(s) for the latest news you don't want to miss. * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available.
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