KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 4 — Malaysia has proposed a stronger two-way cross-border e-commerce partnership with China to enable more high-quality local products to penetrate the vast Chinese market.
Entrepreneur and Cooperatives Development Minister Steven Sim said that while Malaysian consumers enjoy access to Chinese goods, a more balanced two-way trade mechanism would let Malaysian businesses reach Chinese consumers directly.
“Many Malaysian products are already well received in China, including durian-based items, bird's nest, white coffee, handicrafts and batik.
“Malaysia wants to build on this demand through stronger e-commerce linkages,” he said during the opening of the 21st China International Small and Medium Enterprises Fair (CISMEF) and the launch of the Malaysia Pavilion in Guangzhou, China.
Sim, who is currently leading an international trade mission to the city, also pursued the proposal during his visit to Alibaba Group to explore direct e-commerce linkages for local entrepreneurs.
Highlighting the trade performance of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), he noted that Malaysian MSME exports reached RM214.5 billion in 2025, up 10.5 per cent year-on-year, accounting for nearly 15 per cent of the country's total exports.
The figures show that local MSMEs can meet global standards, and the key focus now is giving them greater access to international markets.
12 Malaysian companies and cooperatives from the food, beverage and health product sectors are participating in CISMEF to showcase local innovation and export potential.
Sim added that while the Pearl River Delta is known as the "Factory of the World" and Malaysia as the "Crossroads of Asia", Malaysia’s diversity and creativity could position it as the "Boutique of the World" by producing distinctive, high-value products.
He is confident that the long-standing diplomatic relations between Malaysia and China will continue to serve as a strong pillar for bilateral economic cooperation.
Sim is also in Guangzhou to represent Malaysia at the 32nd APEC Small and Medium Enterprises Ministerial Meeting (SMEMM).
