Malaysia Targets China Market With Massive Trade Blitz

Malaysia has launched its biggest-ever trade promotion at the China International Import Expo (CIIE) in Shanghai, aiming to secure deals worth 2.5 billion ringgit ($597 million) as the Southeast Asian country looks to revitalize exports to its largest trading partner.

Led by the Malaysia External Trade Development Corp. (MATRADE), the delegation includes more than 250 companies and 800 representatives. They are exhibiting in the expo’s largest national pavilion in the food and agriculture section from Nov. 5 to 10. For the first time, Malaysia is also staging its flagship halal industry event — the Malaysia International Halal Showcase (MIHAS) — at the same venue, broadening the platform for outreach.

Speaking at the opening, Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the effort is designed to give Malaysian firms — particularly small and midsize enterprises — direct access to Chinese and broader East Asian buyers.