The Small and Medium Enterprises Association Malaysia (Samenta) has called on the Chinese government to support the onboarding of Malaysian small and medium enterprises (SMEs) onto cross-border digital platforms, enabling local producers to access the Chinese market more effectively.

According to Samenta president, Datuk William Ng, Malaysian SMEs could harness Chinese digital trade platforms to increase exports of halal food, health supplements, and artisanal goods to China’s vast, dynamic, and increasingly sophisticated consumer base. He added that collaborations in renewable energy, waste management, and energy-efficient manufacturing could open up new markets and joint ventures, not only within China and Malaysia, but also globally.

Ng emphasised that if China is genuinely committed to supporting Malaysian SMEs in tapping into its market, it should facilitate their integration into digital trade platforms, particularly those operated by major Chinese technology companies, to help local producers and service providers reach Chinese consumers.

Samenta also urged both the Malaysian and Chinese governments to accelerate the mutual recognition of standards and certifications, especially in key sectors such as food, cosmetics, and medical products, in order to streamline export processes and reduce regulatory barriers.

Ng added that inclusive trade agreements, including the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) and any forthcoming bilateral deals, should incorporate dedicated SME chapters. These chapters, he said, must contain practical, enforceable provisions that address capacity gaps and regulatory challenges faced by smaller businesses.

While acknowledging the recent signing of 31 high-level memorandum of understanding (MoUs) as a positive development, Ng cautioned that such agreements have historically focused on government-linked companies and large corporations. He stressed that the real economic multiplier lies within the SME sector, and urged both governments to introduce downstream initiatives that would enable SMEs to participate in fields such as artificial intelligence, satellite applications, green energy, and other emerging industries. This, he suggested, could take the form of joint ventures, vendor development programmes, or technology adoption schemes.

Ng also highlighted the need for transparent and open channels through which local SMEs can engage in China-funded infrastructure or digital economy projects in Malaysia. He noted that the resumption of group travel and the strengthening of cultural exchanges between the two countries would likely benefit SMEs operating in the hospitality, food and beverage, and creative sectors, as these closer ties with China present new opportunities for growth and collaboration.

(Source: NST)

• TAGS:
• China–Malaysia Relations
• Datuk William Ng
• Digital Trade
• Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP)
• Samenta
• Small and Medium Enterprises Association Malaysia
• SMEs
• Trade and Investment