The trip comes under the umbrella of the New Southbound Policy, launched by the government of Taiwan in 2016. The policy focuses on strengthening ties with neighbors in South and Southeast Asia.
The delegation aimed to gain a deeper understanding of the local consumer demand and actual sales volume, especially for expanding Taiwanese market share in the halal market. The Council said it is planning to organise delegations to several halal events in Southeast Asia such as the 2018 Malaysia International Halal Showcase in early April as well as 2019 Fi Asia in Thailand from September 11 to 13.
Lin and his delegation also visited local supermarkets such as Aeon at Mid Valley Megamall to find out if Taiwan’s agricultural products are popular.
Lin said the total value of trade between Taiwan and Malaysia in agricultural products in 2017 has reached US$205 million, a 5.44% increase from 2016, adding that Taiwan's exports to Malaysia also sees an 8.87% jump compared to the previous year. The export products were mainly processed grain foods, pastry, fish, and shellfish.
Lin noted that Malaysia is an indispensable trading partner to Taiwan. Besides existing exports goods, Taiwan's Mitagri exported 22 metric tons of the atemoya (释迦, pineapple sugar apple, custard apple) to Malaysia, as of the end of January 2018, said the Council. Atemoya exports are expected to reach 40 metric tons in 2018.
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| Source: Council of Agriculture, Taiwan. Council of Agriculture Minister Lin Tsung-hsien (left) and Mitagri Company Chairman Chen Yu-jan hold atemoyas from Taiwan during a visit to a local supermarket as part of a business trip to Malaysia. |