New CIDB centre in Shanghai will help Chinese manufacturers meet Malaysian standards, ensuring quality and transparency for RM300 billion in annual imports.
SHANGHAI: Malaysia has launched a CIDB Holdings information centre in Shanghai to strengthen standards compliance and transparency in trade with China.
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the initiative reflects Malaysia’s commitment to ensuring transparent upstream certification for imported products.
“Malaysia imported nearly RM300 billion worth of goods from China in 2024, almost one-fifth of our total imports,” he said at the launch ceremony.
“With such scale, transparent upstream certification is essential.”
Ahmad Zahid emphasised that standards foster confidence by ensuring every product entering Malaysian homes, schools and roads is safe and fit for use.
The centre will provide technical guidance on Malaysian standards and specifications for manufacturers and suppliers.
It will also offer certification support for accurate and timely Certificate of Approval and Product Performance Standards applications.
The facility will facilitate industry engagement between Malaysian and Chinese stakeholders while enabling digital onboarding to the ASSURE system for full traceability.
Since its 2023 launch, ASSURE has served 354 registered companies, reflecting strong confidence in Malaysia’s regulatory system.
“China produces over 30% of the world’s construction materials, and Malaysia imports a large share from Chinese manufacturers,” noted Ahmad Zahid.
He added that bilateral trade exceeded US$212 billion last year, marking 16 years of China as Malaysia’s largest trading partner.
The initiative aligns with Malaysia’s National Construction Policy 2030 commitment to developing a digital and sustainable ecosystem.
“Manufacturers complete compliance before shipment, while authorities monitor documentation in real time for faster clearance and lower risk,” he explained.
Ahmad Zahid described the effort as translating the vision of building a High-Level Strategic Malaysia-China Community with a Shared Future into reality.
“Expanding from Guangzhou to Shanghai marks scale and readiness,” he said, noting that Shanghai serves as a gateway for broader engagement with new regions and industries.
He revealed that plans are underway for the next CIDB Information Centre in Beijing.
“Together, we are stepping forward in the global supply chain with clarity, confidence and capability,” he concluded before officially launching the centre in collaboration with Menara Asia Sdn Bhd. – Bernama
