GUANGZHOU: Sabah Malaysia-China Chamber of Commerce (MCCC) president Datuk Dexter Lau has urged the Guangzhou government and relevant Chinese authorities to address export restrictions affecting Sabah durians, fish and bird's nests and to establish more direct trade channels.
Speaking after meeting 12 representatives from Guangzhou government-linked companies (GLCs) and chambers of commerce on Friday, Lau said Sabah products currently cannot be exported directly to China as they must go through the Federal Government or be shipped to the peninsula first.
He disclosed that the Guangzhou government responded positively to Sabah MCCC's proposals during extensive discussions aimed at resolving existing procedural hurdles, reducing intermediary costs and improving trade efficiency.
Lau noted that Sabah is well-positioned to expand direct trade, pointing out that the state's roughly 12 direct flight routes to various Chinese cities have created strong logistics networks that should be utilised for cargo alongside passenger travel.
He expressed hope that the talks would yield tangible progress to grant Sabah's agricultural and fishery sectors smoother access to the Chinese market and benefit businesses and consumers on both sides.
