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PETALING JAYA: Malaysia aims to strengthen its role in global supply chains and enhance technology transfer through deeper collaboration with Chinese investors, says the Malaysia-China Business Council (MCBC).
MCBC, which co-organised the Malaysia-China High-Level Business Dialogue on Sept 2 with the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT), said the dialogue aimed to deepen collaboration beyond traditional investment flows.
Its chairman Tan Sri Low Kian Chuan said the council’s priority is to ensure Malaysian enterprises benefit from China’s investments by being integrated into their supply chains.
“When Chinese investors come to Malaysia, our small and medium enterprises (SMEs) can be leveraged and benefit from this business opportunity.
“It’s not just them coming, bringing their entire supply chain. Malaysia must also be part of it,” he told StarBiz.
Low added that Malaysia is focused on attracting high-quality investments in manufacturing, high-tech, green, and blue economy sectors, while also encouraging technology transfer in return for incentives offered to investors.
He noted that infrastructure projects such as the East Coast Rail Link, slated to be fully operational by 2027, will further enhance connectivity and create a conducive ecosystem for businesses, particularly in the East Coast.
Low said Chinese companies have responded positively to Malaysia’s clear investment policy direction, which prioritises value-added sectors.
“They can see that Malaysia is very business-friendly. In the current regional context, Malaysia is the most stable.
“It’s an opportunity,” he said, adding that MCBC and CCPIT serve as a bridge connecting businesses and governments on both sides. The dialogue in Beijing brought together more than 120 Chinese business leaders and was graced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, who stressed that mutual benefit underpins Malaysia-China cooperation.
In his keynote address, Anwar highlighted the complementarity of both countries’ development strategies and urged closer collaboration to resist unilateralism and protectionism, while strengthening global supply chain stability.
He said stronger trade and investment promotion would open doors for new players, create jobs, provide workforce training, and drive economic growth.
Similarly, CCPIT chairman Ren Hongbin emphasised the importance of deepening trade and investment ties and enhancing supply chain integration.
The event also featured Anwar’s direct engagement with 10 major Chinese firms across sectors including infrastructure, energy, advanced manufacturing, financial technology, robotics, and green technology.
These companies included China General Nuclear Power Corp, China Harbour Engineering Co Ltd, China Energy International Group Co Ltd, Ant Group Co Ltd, Yili Group, New Frontier Health Corp, and Xinyi Solar Holdings Ltd.
Anwar welcomed their investments and assured them of Malaysia’s commitment to facilitating cooperation.
Source: https://www.thestar.com.my/business/business-news/2025/09/09/malaysia-wants-smes--in-chinas-supply-chain