KUCHING: The China-Asean Chamber of Agricultural Commerce (Cacac) has been urged to help Sarawak penetrate more markets in China.
Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah said Cacac is a very important international organisation in China dedicated to promoting co-operation in agricultural products, capacity-building, technology and trade.
He said this when welcoming a delegation from the organisation led by the vice- chairman of China National Agricultural Means of Production Group Corporation Zang Xuhong at his office here yesterday.
Also present were Cacac vice secretary general Wang Xiaojing and Regal International Group Ltd chief executive officer Datuk Dominic Su Chung Jye.
Uggah pointed out that one of the main challenges was for local products to meet China’s stringent food security standard.
“Please keep us inform of any changes.
“This is one area we can work together on. This is very crucial as Sarawak aims to be a net exporter of food and food products by 2030,” he said.
He cited as example, problems encountered in exporting bird’s nest to China.
Uggah, who is also Minister of Agriculture, Native Land and Regional Development said the state would focus more on food crops production for export.
He welcomed Chinese investors to invest in developing the sector.
“We see China as a very important market as well. We are also very keen on technology transfer.”
Meanwhile, Zhang said, Cacac aimed to promote agricultural, economic, trade, technological and cultural co-operation between China and Asean countries.
“We are also interested in business and development collaborations in the agricultural sector in the state. Through this visit, we want to know the agricultural development situation and opportunities for investment and collaboration.”
Zhang said China, for example, had developed very good technology for growing wet padi.
He said it was the trend now for many Chinese co-operatives to invest overseas.
Acting permanent secretary to Ministry of Agriculture, Native Land and Regional Development Awang Johari Awang Mustapha, Salcra acting general manager Joseph Blandoi and Sarawak Land Development Board general manager Siang Mundaw were among those present at the function.
