'Remarkable Shandong' Expo 2026 Targets Greater Access To ASEAN, Halal Markets
KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 14 (NNN) -- The 'Remarkable Shandong' Agricultural Trade (Malaysia) Expo 2026 is back in Malaysia for its second edition on Monday, bringing together nearly 100 companies from six cities across Shandong province and more than 1,100 products for three days of trade and industry engagement.
Held at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (KLCC) until Sept 16, this year's expo places greater emphasis on halal standards, market access, and cross-border supply chain cooperation. The expo connects Shandong producers more directly with buyers and distribution channels in Malaysia and the wider ASEAN market.
Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee and Shandong Agricultural Group Co Ltd Vice Chairman, Duan Youchen, said not only is Malaysia an important economic and trade partner for Shandong in ASEAN, the country is also a vital gateway to ASEAN and the global halal market.
“Through the ‘Remarkable Shandong’ Agricultural Trade (Malaysia) Expo 2026, we hope to establish three key platforms: two-way trade in quality agricultural products, collaboration across the agricultural value chain, and international promotion of agricultural brands.
“By leveraging Malaysia's established halal certification ecosystem, we also hope to support more quality Shandong agricultural products in reaching ASEAN and international markets, while taking agricultural cooperation into broader areas and to greater depth,” he said in his opening remarks here, Monday.
Malaysia-China Chamber of Commerce (MCCC) Vice President, Datuk See Meng Geok, said MCCC will continue to play its role as a bridge between businesses in Malaysia and China, helping turn engagement at the expo into tangible partnerships and jointly exploring opportunities across ASEAN, West Asia, and global markets.
“We look forward to exploring a model that combines Shandong's production capabilities with Malaysia's halal certification and global market connectivity, positioning Malaysia as an important platform for quality Shandong products to reach international markets, while enabling Shandong to become an important industrial and supply chain partner for Malaysia's global halal ambitions,” she said.
Former Prime Minister's Special Envoy to China and former chairman of the Malaysia-China Business Council, Tan Kok Wai, said deepening agricultural cooperation between Malaysia and China carries not only economic value, but also strategic significance.
“China has extensive experience in modern agricultural technology, food processing, cold-chain logistics, and agricultural machinery, while Shandong, as one of China's major agricultural provinces, has ranked first in the country for agricultural exports for 26 consecutive years, offering valuable experience for Malaysia's agricultural sector.
“We welcome more quality Shandong products into Malaysia and hope Shandong companies will view Malaysia as an important partner and gateway to the ASEAN market,” he said.
The expo showcases the diversity of Shandong's agricultural industries and regional specialities, with products spanning fresh fruits and vegetables, grains and dry goods, prepared foods, meat and seafood, food ingredients and condiments, tea and beverages, and dairy products.
Five Malaysian organisations, including Halal Development Corporation Berhad (HDC), are also participating in the exhibition, further strengthening local industry involvement and creating more opportunities for engagement between Shandong businesses and Malaysian partners.
The event also features presentations by officials and industry representatives on Shandong's agricultural strengths, signature products, and potential areas for cooperation, while representatives from six cities and counties, namely Linyi City, Shen County, Yangxin County, Boxing County, Anqiu City, and Linqu, showcase their respective agricultural capabilities and products.
The expo also sees Shandong companies and Malaysian and regional partners sign five strategic cooperation agreements covering agricultural trade, agri-food, cattle and halal industries, as well as trade and investment promotion.
The agreements include Nozoly Food Industry Sdn Bhd with Shandong Agricultural Group Co Ltd, Latam Singapore Pte Ltd with Shandong Going Global Guangdong Hengqin Supply Chain Co Ltd, Nozoly Food Industry Sdn Bhd with Niuzhigu Holdings (Yangxin) Co Ltd, Metrobiz Marketing Sdn Bhd with Shandong Meijia Group Co Ltd, and Binzhou Zhongyu Food Co Ltd with Macau Zishen Group Limited.
The agreements further connect Shandong's production and supply chain resources with commercial networks in Malaysia and the wider region, laying the groundwork for product procurement, market expansion, distribution development, and long-term supply chain partnerships.
UiTM Holdings Sdn Bhd Chairman Datuk Dr Fathul Bari Mat Jahya said having a quality product is only the first step towards entering a market, while the right packaging and labelling, consistent quality and supply, and reliable local partners are equally important.
“We hope this expo will serve as a starting point to bring together industry, technology, and knowledge, helping more Shandong companies find long-term partners in Malaysia and translating these connections into tangible outcomes,” he said.
In 2025, Shandong province's total output value across agriculture, forestry, animal husbandry, and fisheries exceeded 1.3 trillion yuan (RM788.84 billion), while agricultural exports reached 166.83 billion yuan (RM101.24 billion), up 1.2 per cent year-on-year.
Shandong has ranked first in China for agricultural exports for 26 consecutive years, its exports accounting for 22.4 per cent of the country's total agricultural exports.
--NNN
