Malaysia secures RM1.24 billion in sales and new TVET partnerships in Shanghai, boosting halal exports and technical education cooperation.
SHANGHAI: Malaysia has reinforced economic diplomacy with China through a successful four-day working visit by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
The mission achieved RM1.24 billion in sales at MIHAS@Shanghai 2025 within its first three days.
Several strategic Memorandums of Understanding were signed between Malaysian agencies and Chinese industry players.
MARA and Shanghai Jiao Tong University agreed to strengthen cooperation in academics, research and culture.
Ahmad Zahid said MARA intends to leverage SJTU’s expertise in engineering, artificial intelligence, computer science, medicine and maritime studies.
A Technical Advisory Committee will focus on data analytics, green technology and research commercialisation.
Malaysia also launched the CIDB Holdings Information Centre in Shanghai to strengthen construction sector standards.
Plans are underway to establish another CIDBH Information Centre in Beijing.
The initiative reflects Malaysia’s commitment to transparent upstream certification of imported products.
Malaysia’s participation in the eighth China International Import Expo will help Malaysian products penetrate global markets.
Ahmad Zahid announced 2,500 new TVET placements in China for next year.
He officiated the Guangqi Institute, which will serve as a joint training hub for semiconductors and advanced electronics.
The Malaysia-China TVET Industry-Education Alliance strengthens collaboration through the ‘Train-Intern-Job Placement’ approach.
Training equipment co-funding under this initiative amounts to RM10 million, involving 15 Chinese TVET institutions.
Sectors involved include rail transit, e-commerce, logistics, cybersecurity and major industry players like Huawei.
The Associated Malaysian Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Port Klang Free Zone strengthened bilateral trade networks.
Ahmad Zahid expressed optimism that the programmes would bring significant benefits to Malaysia.
China has been Malaysia’s largest trading partner for 16 consecutive years since 2009.
Total bilateral trade reached RM484.12 billion in 2024, representing 16.8% of Malaysia’s global trade.
Malaysia recorded halal exports worth RM61.79 billion in 2024, a 15% increase from the previous year.
China is Malaysia’s second-largest halal export destination with RM7.04 billion in exports for 2024. – Bernama
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