Perdasama Aims To Open Linyi-Malaysia Halal Hub, Create More Opportunities For Bumiputera Entrepreneurs
From Norhayati Mohd Akhir
LINYI (Shandong), Oct 29 (Bernama) -- The Malaysian Association of Malay Entrepreneurs and Traders (Perdasama) aims to establish a Linyi-Malaysia halal hub to strengthen bilateral economic cooperation and create broader opportunities for Bumiputera entrepreneurs to break into the huge Chinese market.
Perdasama president Mohd Azamanizam Baharon said the proposal will be voiced at the three-day Fourth Linyi Trade City International Sourcing Conference, starting Wednesday (Oct 28).
“Establishing the Linyi-Malaysia halal hub is a strategic step to expand the international market for Bumiputera businesses, seek partners, and explore new investment opportunities.
“Our presence here serves as an important platform to build long-term commercial cooperation and create sustainable development opportunities for businesses between the two countries,” he told Bernama here.
Mohd Azamanizam hopes the effort will help Bumiputera entrepreneurs overcome domestic market constraints by building an international business network, gaining an in-depth understanding of global market demand, and driving practical collaborations that can translate into trade orders, investment projects, product distribution, and industrial development.
He said Perdasama will propose to the Linyi Municipal People’s Government that the hub be developed as a cooperation platform connecting Linyi’s trade, distribution, and logistics advantages with Malaysia’s halal industry capacity and the ASEAN market chain.
“The areas that can be jointly explored include exhibition centres and marketing of halal products, the building of distribution networks, as well as product processing and packaging projects,” he said.
Mohd Azmanizam said the proposal aligns with halal market prospects, citing data from the Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (Matrade), which recorded halal product exports to China at RM6.25 billion in 2024.
“Furthermore, China has been Malaysia’s largest trading partner for 17 consecutive years, with bilateral trade reaching RM542.2 billion last year,” he said.
The Perdasama president said Malaysian products have the potential to further expand internationally, but export success requires thorough preparation.
“Perdasama hopes to help businesses bridge the market information gap and commercial resources through strategic cooperation,” he said.
In addition to focusing on exports, he said Perdasama also welcomes companies and investors from Linyi and Shandong province to explore investment opportunities in Malaysia in food processing, modern agriculture, logistics, and supply chain development.
Mohd Azmanizam said the success of a trade mission should not be measured solely by the number of meetings, but by the business opportunities created.
“From friendship to trade, opportunity to investment, and cooperation to shared prosperity, this is Perdasama’s vision, committed to strengthening economic ties between Malaysia and China,” he said.
The three-day Fourth Linyi Trade City International Sourcing Conference, themed ‘Bridging the World, Sourcing Global Excellence’, started on Oct 28 at the Linyi International Expo Centre.
Organised by the Linyi Municipal People’s Government, the conference serves as a one-stop sourcing platform that directly connects international buyers with suppliers and manufacturers in China.
The conference focuses on exporting small commodities and integrating supply chains, in line with Linyi’s role in the Belt and Road Initiative.
-- BERNAMA