Malaysia to discuss easier export of durians to China

28-Jul-2018, 10:04

28 Jul 2018, 10:04

Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Minister Salahuddin Ayub says the strict protocol has hampered the export of some Malaysian agricultural products to China, which is a lucrative market.

Free Malaysia Today — China is a big market for durians but only allows Malaysia to export the fruit in packet form. (Bernama pic)

GEORGE TOWN:

The federal government hopes to resolve the issue of protocol surrounding the export of Musang King durians, bird’s nest, ornamental fish and vegetables during an official visit to China next month.

Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Minister Salahuddin Ayub said such issues had hampered efforts to export these items to China, which was a lucrative market.

“Mainland China is a big market we cannot let go (of). In my visit to China with the prime minister next month, we will resolve the issues with durians, bird’s nest, ornamental fish and vegetables that we were previously unable to resolve.

“These are among the issues that have made our Malaysian agricultural goods unable to penetrate mainland China in big quantities.

“I hope the procedure we will discuss will make it easier for our products to enter China, because that market is really good. That is one of the important missions with the prime minister (on the visit) to China,” he said at a press conference yesterday.

At present, he said, China only allowed Malaysia to export durians in packet form which needed to be quarantined before it could be sold.

Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad is expected to undertake an official visit to China next month.

Mahathir reportedly said he intended to bring up several issues during the trip, including the terms of several contracts with China.