The 7th China International Import Expo (CIIE), which opened in Shanghai on Tuesday, has provided Malaysian businesses with a prime platform to access the expansive market opportunities in China.
Malaysia has consistently maintained an active presence at the CIIE, with this year witnessing the participation of various trade groups, the country's trade promotion agency, and a host of companies across sectors like food and electronics.
Among them is a family-owned pewter firm renowned for its traditional Chinese-inspired designs, aiming to broaden its reach in the Chinese market.
Royal Selangor, which has been crafting exquisite pewter items for 139 years, traces its origins back to Yong Koon, who ventured from southern China to Malaya. The company is now led by the fourth generation of the family.
"In 1885, half the world's tin came from this country, but unlike other Chinese who came to Southeast Asia to work in tin mines, Yong Koon came with his pewter smithing skills, making pewter items -- pewter is an alloy of tin -- for Chinese settlers in the the city. Then they expanded their offering to things (items) for the English who were living here, such as tankards, cigarette cases. A lot of our product designs have taken inspiration from traditional Chinese culture, beliefs, heritage, but use that in a very contemporary design language," said Chen Tien Yue, executive director of Royal Selangor.
Participating in the CIIE as part of the pavilion of the Malaysian trade promotion agency Matrade, Royal Selangor sees this as a valuable opportunity to grow its presence in China. With half of its products from the Kuala Lumpur factory exported globally, Chen highlights the potential for business expansion in the Chinese market through the expo.
"We think the CIIE is an opportunity for us to connect with potential partners. We are currently constructing a store in Beijing. We also have franchise stores in other cities. We're looking actively for other locations in other cities. We're very proud of the fact that we've got this great heritage in pewter craftsmanship that goes back four generations and 139 years. Now it's four generations, but we hope it will be many more generations to come," said Chen.
The CIIE is the world's first national-level exposition dedicated to imports. Themed "New Era, Shared Future," the seventh CIIE runs from November 5 to 10 and has attracted participants from 152 countries, regions and international organizations.
CIIE offers opportunities for Malaysian firms to tap into Chinese market
