HANGZHOU – Malaysia has launched its first pavilion at the Global Digital Trade Expo (GDTE) in Hangzhou, where the country is participating as the Guest Country of Honour.
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim launched the Malaysia Pavilion following a bilateral meeting with Chinese Premier Li Qiang at the West Lake State Guest House.
The inaugural participation is part of Malaysia’s efforts to strengthen its position in digital trade and expand connections between Southeast Asia and China.
Anwar said Malaysia aimed to develop its role as a digital trade hub within ASEAN while serving as a link between businesses and markets in Southeast Asia and China.
He highlighted the country’s developing technology ecosystem, government policies supporting the sector and the growing number of technology-focused businesses operating in Malaysia.
According to Anwar, these factors provide a base for companies from China and other countries to explore partnerships and business opportunities in Malaysia.
The Malaysia Pavilion brings together 15 participants, including four government agencies and Malaysian companies operating in the digital and technology sectors.
The participants are showcasing capabilities and products covering several areas of the digital economy.
These include digital trade, artificial intelligence, cloud services, smart healthcare and cross-border e-commerce.
The pavilion provides Malaysian participants with an opportunity to present their technologies and services to visitors and businesses attending the international trade exhibition.
Malaysia’s participation also comes as the country seeks to expand its presence in China’s digital economy and encourage more Malaysian companies to explore opportunities in the market.
Anwar said he welcomed the Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation’s (MATRADE) strategy to diversify export markets in China.
The strategy also includes expanding the range of products and solutions offered by Malaysian companies to include more high-technology goods and services.
He said Malaysian businesses had demonstrated their ability to compete in international markets and welcomed their efforts to explore opportunities within China’s expanding digital economy.
The participation at GDTE also highlights the increasing role of digital technologies in Malaysia’s trade and investment strategy.
Areas such as AI, cloud computing and cross-border e-commerce have become increasingly relevant to international trade as businesses adopt digital platforms and technologies to reach customers and markets.
For Malaysian companies, participation in international digital trade events provides opportunities to present their capabilities, establish business contacts and explore potential partnerships.
The Malaysia Pavilion also brings together public-sector agencies and private-sector technology companies, allowing visitors to gain an overview of the country’s digital and technology capabilities.
Malaysia’s presence as Guest Country of Honour gives the country a platform to highlight its digital economy and engage with companies and organisations participating in the GDTE.
The initiative forms part of Anwar’s working visit to China, which has included engagements in Shanghai and Hangzhou as Malaysia seeks to strengthen bilateral economic and trade ties.
The Malaysia Pavilion will serve as a focal point for the country’s participation at the expo, showcasing companies and government agencies involved in various areas of digital trade and technology.
