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
Many international business leaders participating in the 7th China International Import Expo (CIIE) have expressed confidence in the Chinese market, stating their eagerness to seize opportunities presented by China's opening-up.
Platforms like the CIIE are important for international companies to build connections and promote their products in the rapidly evolving Chinese market, they said.
Running from November 5 to 10 under the theme of "New Era, Shared Future," the 7th CIIE has attracted participants from 152 countries, regions, and international organizations to participate in its country exhibition and business exhibition.
Among them, nearly 3,500 exhibitors from 129 countries and regions are taking part in the business exhibition, while a record number of 297 Fortune Global 500 companies and industry leaders are attending the event.
"So, we've been to CIIE many times over the years. This is obviously the seventh meeting. We are very positive on the Chinese economy and outlook, especially for health care, and what we've seen with the policies from the government, we believe now is the time to invest," said Chris Toth, executive vice president and group president of Kidney Care.
Anu Rathninde, president of Johnson Controls for the Asia Pacific region, emphasized the unique value of the expo as a platform for global businesses to access the Chinese market and showcase their products.
"I think our commitment to China remains unchanged. I think there isn't something like CIIE in the world, in my experience, that really creates an opportunity for full international companies to come in - those who are not even operating in China - to come in and promote their products to sell in China; not just buy from China, but to sell in China as well. So, I think that's what (makes) this platform very unique," said Rathninde.
"I think it's just growing, becoming bigger and bigger every time that we have been here, and I really look forward to showcase our latest technology that we've developed both in China, but also in other places of the world, for the Chinese market. So really looking forward to it," said Gustaf Salford, president and CEO of Elekta AB.
A total of 77 countries and international organizations are participating in the country exhibition, which serves as an important platform for showcasing the diverse images of various countries and opportunities in trade and investment.
More than 400 new products, technologies, and services are set to be unveiled during the six-day expo, which experts say indicates foreign companies' confidence in the Chinese market amid a sluggish global economic recovery.
Int'l business leaders highlight confidence in Chinese market at CIIE
