Sabah Products Promoted at China-ASEAN Expo

Several Sabah-based companies were among 150 Malaysian enterprises promoting their products at the 21st China-ASEAN Expo (CAEXPO) here.

Anni, representing Glopec Sdn Bhd, a global one-stop centre, oversees a booth at the Nanning International Convention & Exhibition Centre, offering a few types of products from Sabah to visitors at the expo, which runs from September 24 to 28.

She said among the products offered include Uinah! beer, Wang Emas three-in-one coffee, and Bikmie prawn “amplang” crackers, through a programme endorsed by Yayasan Sabah, Unit Peneraju Agenda Bumiputera (Teraju) and Sabah State Government, under the Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE).

Anni said Glopec wants to promote all small and medium enterprise (SME) products from Sabah, so they can grow their business in terms of branding and quality, as well as from the aspect of packaging.

“The response has been good so far. They especially liked the ‘amplang’!,” she told The Borneo Post at the expo yesterday.

Another company, Pemborong Mangkab Enterprise Sdn Bhd, brought their ginger-based products to the international event, all the way from Tambunan, Sabah, a district known for its ginger production, under the umbrella of the Department of Industrial Development and Research (DIDR).

Its managing director, Hendry Charles, said their products are a ginger-based drink while the other drink is added with honey, adding that this year is the fifth time they have taken part in the annual exhibition, each time with good response from the people of China.

He said the catalyst for the business, which started around 10 years ago, was his mother, who was knowledgeable in creating ginger-based products, and he has since taken on the mantle in bringing the brand not only to the local but international stage.

“We even had a customer who came to our booth at a previous CAEXPO, visit us again this year, just to buy our products.

“The challenge now is to have a foothold in China, especially in terms of marketing,” he said.

Tawau-based Majulah Koko Tawau Sdn Bhd, also presented their offerings in the Nanning expo, specifically cocoa-based products such as cocoa sticks, three-in-one drinks, bread spread, and syrup for chocolate ice cream.

The company’s sales assistant, Thien Xue Er, said they have been attending the expo for many years now, despite the rental fee jumping to RM15,000 this year from RM8,000. However, support from DIDR helped alleviate their financial burdens in certain participation years.

“The response is alright so far, but for people in China, they don’t really recognise the cocoa product, and they always mix up cocoa and coffee,” she said, adding that some benefits of cocoa include alleviating insomnia and controlling blood sugar level.

Earlier, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, who gave a virtual address for the expo’s opening ceremony, noted that the event has gotten bigger and better over the years, attracting an increasingly large number of participants while opening up more business and trade opportunities.

Anwar said the annual programme holds a special significance for Malaysia this year as it coincides with the 50th year of diplomacy between Malaysia and China, providing the opportunity to strengthen resilience between the two nations.

He said China Premier Li Qiang’s visit to Malaysia in June this year highlights the importance of strengthening bilateral relations to deepen economic cooperation.

The Prime Minister added that the previous CAEXPO had culminated in the King of Malaysia, Sultan Ibrahim, paying a state visit to Beijing recently.

His Majesty’s visit to Li and China president Xi Jinping was reportedly a resounding success.

“China has been our largest trading partner for 15 years, and it is in that spirit that we have renewed the five-year trade cooperation.

“As we progress, it is vital for ASEAN and China to diversify trade and investment strategies.

“In the face of geopolitical tensions, our efforts to ensure stability and prosperity are vital, as well as maintaining bilateral and multilateral relationships,” he said.

Anwar was represented by Transport Minister Anthony Loke, who earlier said it is a privilege for Malaysia to be invited as the Country of Honor for the third time this year, and stressed that the Prime Minister attaches importance to the nation’s cooperation with China, especially regarding trade and economy.

China Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang, in his address, said the nation aims to deepen practical cooperation in building a tighter-knit China-ASEAN community with a shared future.

Ding said the nation will maintain its following of the principles of amity, sincerity, mutual benefit and inclusiveness in neighbourhood diplomacy, in this regard.

He added that China and ASEAN countries should bring their open cooperation to a new level, and suggested the two parties delve into new areas of cooperation in science, technology and innovation.

Also delivering their speeches at the opening ceremony were Cambodia Deputy Prime Minister Vongsey Vissoth, Laos Deputy Prime Minister Kikeo Khaykhamphithoune, Vietnam Deputy Prime Minister Ho Duc Phoc and ASEAN Secretary-General Dr Kao Kim Hourn.

Original article on Borneo Post